The CHL on Sportsnet features the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in Sherbrooke to take on the Phoenix. With all 16 playoff spots having been spoken for, the rest of the QMJHL schedule will be played to determine playoff seedings. Sherbrooke is hoping to maintain home-ice advantage in the first round, while Rouyn-Noranda will need to win out and get help in order to start the playoffs at home.
Rouyn-Noranda is one of the lesser-known teams in the QMJHL. In year two under Gilles Bouchard, the Huskies have a talented young core group of players. In the same vain as they were under the tutelage of Andre Tourigny, the Huskies continue to be a perennial playoff threat.
This is the last of a five-game road trip for the Huskies, who will close out the season at home next weekend with games against Blainville-Boisbriand and Sherbrooke. The Huskies have won five of their last seven.
In goal, the Huskies are a rarity in that they play two underagers. This became possible after Alexandre Belanger was dealt to Cape Breton. First-year draft-eligible Jeremy Belisle has given way of late to Samuel Harvey, who’s not eligible until next season.
On defence, Jeremy Lauzon and Philippe Myers are future stars. Justin Guenette has produced well, when healthy, while Redgie Bois has exceeded expectations. Jacob Neveu, Sacha Guay and Allan Caron round out the group.
Up front, Julien Nantel plays a heavy game as does captain Ryan Penny. Francis Perron is immensely talented. Rookies Jean-Christophe Beaudin, Alexandre Fortin and Mathieu Boucher are all amongst the league’s top rookie scorers.
Sherbrooke has a budding young netminder in Evan Fitzpatrick, but recently Alex Bureau has reclaimed the net and the Phoenix has points in three straight games.
Losing Alexis Vanier for the season weakened the depth and toughness for Sherbrooke on defence. Carl Neill has had a great season and rookie Thomas Gregoire is on his way. Aaron Hoyles is the wiley veteran. Julien Bahl and Mikael Sabourin are serviceable. No doubt Jeremy Roy is the star, but he’s been slowed by injuries all year.
Up front, Daniel Audette is the centrepiece. Swiss imports Kay Schweri and Tim Wieser have produced well, but are smallish players who are adjusting to the rigors of a long season. Cameron Darcy has been great since coming over from Cape Breton. David Storto is a big part of the secondary scoring.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies: 32-29-3-1 (13-19-1-0 Road), L (4th West Division, 11th QMJHL)
Individual Stats
In Goal
Team Stats
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Jullien Pelletier (CLB 107th 2014)
Francis Perron (OTT 190th 2014)
Julien Nantel (COL 204th 2014)
NHL Central Scouting
Jeremy Lauzon #65
Alexandre Fortin #136
Philippe Myers #155
Jeremy Belisle #30 (goalies)
Under The Radar
Jean-Christophe Beaudin started to take off at the end of January, wasn’t on anyone’s radar at the start of the year, but NHL teams have started to inquire.
Sherbrooke Phoenix 34-25-2-4 (21-9-2-1 Home) 2W, 3rd West Division, 8th QMJHL
Individual Stats
In Goal
Team Stats
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Alexis Vanier (SJ 102nd 2014)
Daniel Audette (MTL 147th 2014)
Cameron Darcy (TB 185th 2014)
NHL Central Scouting
Jeremy Roy #26
Gabriel Fontaine #130
Under The Radar
David Storto had a great 2012 Telus Cup on a team with the likes of Laurent Dauphin, Frederik Gauthier, and Daniel Audette, but then disappeared to a US high school. He’s got good speed and nice finish to his game.