Rankings - Forwards

So it's now time to have a look at the forwards. Sadly, I wasn't able to beat the CSR to the punch, but, it will allow me to comment on where they had their guys versus me. As stated earlier, Collège Esther-Blondin and Collège Notre-Dame only had limited views, so for the former, I go with what I have, and for the ladder, I prefer not speak rather than speak of ignorance.

If nothing else, you certainly are getting an independant opinion.

Forwards

1) Patrick Walsh - LSL

It's unbelievable to me that anybody would have him anywhere but as the top ranked forward. He's money in all three zones.

2) Frédéric Gamelin - CHA

A dynamic offensive force with terrific vision. Made Ciampini a better player.

3) Luca Ciampini - CHA

Certainly the most hyped prospect is the draft. The Hockey News already had him as one of the top 5 prospects for his NHL Draft. I agree that he is quite a prospect with all the tools, but, for the duration of the playoffs, he only got going once Gamelin did. Once in motion, he was a force, but he wasn't visible as long as his centerman wasn't.

4) Nicolas Dionne - AMO

A very skilled forward who can step right in. He would fit terrificly well on a team a little further ahead in its development curve.

5) Charles Hudon - STE

Terrific hands and speed, but can be a little shy about going into traffic.

6) Maxime St-Cyr - TR

Like a grand master chess player, sees the game two or three moves ahead. Just has terrific hockey sense to compliment very smooth hands. Definitely lacks in size, but with his eyes, he'll play around the problem. I predict he'll progress into junior the same way Brent Aubin did... a rough start but will lead his team in scoring by the end.

7) Marc-Olivier Roy - STE

I might be the only person in the world who has him this high, but he's an explosive skater who can play in all situations. He may not score, but he'll help you in a lot of other ways. Plus, he's one of the players who most needs to gain strenght, so when he does, look out...

8) Louick Marcotte - CCL

Hard to pinpoint a specific skill that sets him apart but he puts it all together very well. Most likely will be a headache free player that will play in the Top 6.

9) Mathieu Lemay - STE

I just love his potential. He'll need some seasoning, but down the line, you're looking at a player who will contribute in all three zones.

10) Victor Provencher - CCL

Built like a tank. Small, but very powerful and hits like a ton of bricks. Junior ready, but I wonder how much better he can become, seeing as he is already so strong.

11) Alexandre Larouche - SSF

An ongoing project. He didn't 'wow' anybody last year, but really contributed offensively this season. He really needs to keep getting stronger but there's a lot of hockey in that frame of his and it is slowly coming out. Players that tall tend to need a little more time for their coordination to catch up to them. Took a huge step forward in his development this season.

12) Raphael Lafontaine - GAT*

A playmaker plain and simple, but not the fastest guy around.

13) Angelo Miceli - LM

An upgrade but almost a clone of teammate Emilio Audi. Small guy, great hands, great vision, good straightaway speed but lacks the ability to change directions. Audi was a top scorer this season, and Miceli will certainly be that if he comes back next season, but I wouldn't expect him to put up big numbers in junior until after he's old enough to vote.

14) Félix Chamberland - LEV

One of the bigger player's available who can move and also has good hockey sense. May not be more than a 3rd liner, but a 3rd liner who helps out you a lot.

15) Sébastien Carré - SSF

Passed over in last year's draft, but I really like this player. He was regularly put on a line with the worst players on his team and he just carried them. He's also very good in his own end. Should be killing penalties in no time.

16) Dwayne-Bradley Tessier - AMO

He's got good size, good wheels and makes good reads. Should be a middle range 3rd liner.

17) Félix-Antoine Bergeron - TR

The hardest worker in the draft, bar none. He has a motor that won't quit and he should make a junior roster on that ability alone. He's small, but speedy and certainly not afraid. An energy player at worst.

18) Alexandre Poulin - SSF*

Not much offense left, but Poulin should be a 3rd liner that can chip in every now and then. Defensively aware, can skate well and he's got good size.

19) Charles Poulin - LEV

A little small, but certainly not shy about using his shoulders.

20) Olivier Caouette - MAG

A poor man's version of Victor Provencher. Plays the same game, but needs to add more strenght.

21) Sébastien Sylvestre - CAG

A defensive forward who can chip in offensively. Very silently goes about his thing, yet so reliable. Ready to step in right away.

22) Samuel Courtemanche - MAG

I might be the only person to have him this high, but he can be hard to get a read on. He's got good wheels and sound defensive positionning, however, the puck never seems to come to him. Too bad, because he does have surprinsingly good puck skills.

23) Christophe Déry - STE

A defensive forward who would rank a little higher if he were a little bigger.

24) Michael Gagnon - JON

May be a steal or a complete bust. On the one hand, he has very good hands and makes things happen offensively. I can remember a period vs LM where he created a scoring chance on every shift. But, his entire game lacks another gear and you wonder if he'll be able to step it up for the higher ranks.

25) Ryan Eardley - LSL

The Lions best penalty killer not named Walsh. Better upper body movement (which is pretty easy to fix) would give him a little more speed. Having a solid playoff.

26) Jérémy Carignan - AMO

Not the biggest guy, but a hard worker with good wheels. Defensively responsible.

27) Toliver Bergeron - CHA

Burried behind the stars on his team, but silently played the wing on the first line. Needs to raise his game to play in the Top 6 in junior. May only be able to play such a role on a rebuilding team.

28) Christophe Lalonde - STE

Always uses the shortest route into corners no matter what and works very hard. I'm still not sold though, as he doesn't accomplish as much as I'd hope.

29) Philip Zielonka - LSL

Another forward in the Brent Aubin mold. Skating sadly lacks another gear, but has the hands and eyes to make good things happen.

30) William Cochrane - CEB*

31) Samuel Hodhod - CHA

When he's on his game, you see a dynamic forward. When he's off his game, you see a very, very small forward.

32) Simon Tremblay - JON

A lower end goal scorer. He has a touch around the net, but the rest of his game may not be elevated enough for junior hockey.

33) Thomas Gobeil - CAG

A competitor who helps out in his own end, but doesn't 'wow' you with anything.

34) Érik Longtin - MAG

He's got decent size and he's pretty responsible. I question how much offense he'll bring at the next level though.

35) Jimmy Vaillancourt - TR

A reliable forward, but a little small for the role he'd play in the bottom six.

*Denotes players who got limited views. Séminaire Saint-François didn't get as many as I would wish, so some players are most likely left off because of it.