by Robert Rice, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
TORONTO, ON — This week in review (December 3 – December 9), a new face has found it’s way to the top of the honours list.
Your comments are most welcome. If you have a question about any of the prospects email me, and perhaps it will be answered in the weekly All Habs Mailbag feature that appears on these pages on Thursdays.
The Three Stars
1. C Brady Vail
While not as flashy as some of his 2012 draft compatriots, Brady Vail continues to build on a strong season with the Windsor Spitfires, generating offence while putting up strong defensive play. Vail started his week off scoring the tying goal for Windsor in a comeback from 2-0 against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in an eventual 3-2 win on Thurday. Vail would next pick up an assist the following evening in an eventual 3-2 shootout win for Windsor over the Sarnia Sting. Vail would round out his weekend with a pair of assists as the Spitfires rallied from a 2-0 deficit again to an eventual 3-2 victory over the Oshawa Generals. Vail presently leads Windsor in assists with 19, and is 1 point out of the team scoring lead. Vail was drafted in the 4th round, 94th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 Entry Draft.
2. D Nathan Beaulieu
After a slow start to the season, Nathan Beaulieu has taken a step forward in the month of December to help the Hamilton Bulldogs find some offence from their back end. Beaulieu would begin his week picking up an assist on Hamilton’s only goal in a 5-1 loss to the Syracuse Crunch on Friday night. Beaulieu would push ahead further on Saturday night against the Hershey Bears and doubling his production to a pair of assists in a tight 3-2 victory. Beaulieu has now scored four assists in his last 3 games and is now tied for the team defensive scoring lead. Beaulieu was drafted in the 1st round, 17th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2011 NHL Draft.
3. C Alex Galchenyuk
While not quite as explosive as he has been in past weeks, Alex Galchenyuk is still getting the job done in Sarnia. The Sting Captain would lead off his week scoring a goal and assist in a 3-0 victory over the Saginaw Spirit. Galchenyuk would find himself held pointless the following night against Windsor, but would end up scoring in the shootout in an eventual 3-2 loss. Galchenyuk would finish up the week scoring a goal in a 4-1 victory for Sarnia over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Galchenyuk has scored 22 goals and 30 assists this season to rank him 3rd overall in OHL scoring. Galchenyuk was drafted in the 1st round, 3rd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Draft.
On The Radar: 
– LW Tim Bozon scored a goal and two assists.
– RW Sebastian Collberg scored a goal and assist.
– D Dalton Thrower scored a goal in his first game back from injury.
Question Marks:
– LW Blake Geoffrion is out indefinitely while recovering from a depressed skull fracture.
– D Magnus Nygren was suspended for four games by the Elitserien for a head-checking penalty.
– D Greg Pateryn is out indefinitely with a fractured elbow.
Complete Statistics for the week of December 3, 2012
Legend
Skaters: Games Played, Goals, Assists, +/-, Penalty Minutes
Goalies: Wins, Losses, Overtime Losses, Shootout Losses, Goals Against Average, Save Percentage
Teams: Wins, Losses, Overtime Losses, Shootout Losses. For NCAA, Wins, Losses, Ties. For Elitserien/Allsvenskan/Extraliga, Wins, Losses, Overtime Losses.
Season Stats: Season scoring prior to the past week.
The AHL Report: The Hamilton Bulldogs have been the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens since 2002. It is the most common route for developing Montreal Canadiens prospects into full-time members of the organization. There are currently 15 members of the Hamilton Bulldogs that can be thought to have future consideration for an NHL position. The Hamilton Bulldogs are 8-10-1-1 this season, 5th in the North Division, 30th overall in the AHL.
D Nathan Beaulieu: 19 years old, 6’2”, 194 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 17GP | 0G | 3A | -3 | 19 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 3A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 19GP | 0G | 6A | -3 | 19 PIM |
C Michaël Bournival: 20 years old, 5’11, 191 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 17GP | 1G | 5A | -2 | 12 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 1GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 18GP | 1G | 6A | -2 | 12 PIM |
C Gabriel Dumont: 22 years old, 5’10”, 189 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 18GP | 3G | 6A | +2 | 24 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | +1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 20GP | 3G | 6A | +3 | 26 PIM |
D Morgan Ellis: 20 years old, 6’1″, 202 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 15GP | 1G | 2A | -5 | 25 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | +1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 17GP | 1G | 3A | -4 | 27 PIM |
RW Brendan Gallagher: 20 years old, 5’9″, 182 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 18GP | 6G | 6A | -2 | 33 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | +1 | 4 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 20GP | 6G | 6A | -1 | 37 PIM |
LW Blake Geoffrion: 24 years old, 6’1”, 190 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 10GP | 4G | 2A | -3 | 9 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 10GP | 4G | 2A | -3 | 9 PIM |
RW Patrick Holland: 20 years old, 6’, 175 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 18GP | 2G | 4A | -7 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 20GP | 3G | 4A | -6 | 2 PIM |
C Louis Leblanc: 21 years old, 6’, 190 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 3G | 0A | +1 | 9 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 3G | 1A | 0 | 9 PIM |
D Brendon Nash: 23 years old, 6’3″, 206 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 13GP | 0G | 4A | +2 | 19 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 15GP | 0G | 5A | +2 | 21 PIM |
C Joonas Nättinen: 21 years old, 6’2”, 187 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 13GP | 2G | 2A | +3 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 15GP | 3G | 2A | +4 | 2 PIM |
RW Aaron Palushaj: 22 years old, 6′, 188 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 18GP | 6G | 3A | -8 | 18 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 20GP | 7G | 3A | -9 | 18 PIM |
D Greg Pateryn: 21 years old, 6’2”, 219 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 7GP | 0G | 1A | -3 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 7GP | 0G | 1A | -3 | 0 PIM |
LW Steve Quailer: 22 years old, 6’4”, 209 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 18GP | 3G | 3A | +1 | 15 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 20GP | 3G | 3A | +1 | 15 PIM |
D Jarred Tinordi: 20 years old, 6’6″, 218 pounds, LH shot
| Season Stats | 18GP | 0G | 2A | -6 | 15 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 20GP | 0G | 2A | -8 | 15 PIM |
The Juniors Report: The Canadiens currently feature prospects playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL). These leagues can be considered the primary conduit towards professional hockey in North America.
QMJHL:
LW Olivier Archambault: 19 years old, 5’11”, 184 pounds. LH shot.
Junior Club: Drummondville Voltigeurs
Team Record: 17-13-0-1
| Season Stats | 29GP | 13G | 15A | -2 | 16 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 31GP | 13G | 16A | -3 | 16 PIM |
LW Charles Hudon: 18 years old, 5’10”, 171 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Chicoutimi Saguenéens – Team Captain
Team Record: 15-15-2-1
| Season Stats | 25GP | 17G | 18A | +7 | 28 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | 0 | 4 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 27GP | 18G | 18A | +7 | 32 PIM |
OHL:
C Alex Galchenyuk: 18 years old, 6’0”, 194 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Sarnia Sting – Team Captain
Team Record: 18-11-0-3
| Season Stats | 28GP | 20G | 29A | +8 | 18 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 2G | 1A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 31GP | 22G | 30A | +10 | 20 PIM |
C Brady Vail: 18 years old, 6’, 195 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Windsor Spitfires – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 14-12-1-5
| Season Stats | 29GP | 11G | 16A | -1 | 18 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 1G | 3A | +2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 32GP | 12G | 19A | +1 | 18 PIM |
WHL:
LW Tim Bozon: 18 years old, 6’0”, 183 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Kamloops Blazers
Team Record: 24-7-1-2
| Season Stats | 30GP | 16G | 23A | +20 | 26 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 1G | 2A | +2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 33GP | 17G | 25A | +22 | 26 PIM |
D Darren Dietz: 19 years old, 6’1”, 195 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 15-14-0-1
| Season Stats | 27GP | 7G | 8A | -18 | 41 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 1A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 30GP | 7G | 9A | -16 | 43 PIM |
D Dalton Thrower: 18 years old, 5’11”, 200 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades
Team Record: 15-14-0-1
| Season Stats | 13GP | 1G | 5A | +3 | 23 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | +6 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 15GP | 2G | 5A | +9 | 23 PIM |
US College Hockey (NCAA) Report: The Canadiens have drafted a number of college players in recent years, these are generally ‘project players’ who benefit from additional years in lower level hockey to develop their skills.
D Mac Bennett: 21 years old, 6′, 180 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: University of Michigan Wolverines – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 5-8-2
| Season Stats | 15GP | 4G | 7A | +7 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 15GP | 4G | 7A | +7 | 4 PIM |
RW Danny Kristo: 22 years old, 5’11”, 188 pounds, RH shot.
NCAA Team: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 8-5-3
| Season Stats | 12GP | 5G | 9A | +4 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | +1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 14GP | 6G | 9A | +5 | 6 PIM |
C Mark MacMillan: 20 years old, 6’, 183 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux
Team Record: 8-5-3
| Season Stats | 14GP | 6G | 5A | +4 | 6 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 16GP | 6G | 6A | +6 | 8 PIM |
Czech Extraliga Report: The Extraliga is the top professional league in the Czech Republic.
C Daniel Pribyl: 19 years old, 6’3”, 193 pounds, RH shot.
Extraliga Team: HC Sparta Praha
Team Record: 14-15-0
| Season Stats | 16GP | 2G | 5A | +4 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | -1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 18GP | 3G | 5A | +3 | 6 PIM |
European Trophy Tournament:
| Tournament Stats | 6GP | 2G | 1A | +1 | 0 PIM |
Elitserien Report: The Elitserien or Swedish Elite League is the top professional league of Sweden. A prospect playing well in this league is a typical indication they may be ready for the NHL. The Allsvenskan is the secondary professional league of Sweden, playing directly under the Elitserien.
RW Sebastian Collberg: 18 years old, 5’11”, 180 pounds, RH shot.
Elitserien Team: Frölunda HC
Team Record: 15-13-3
| Season Stats | 16GP | 0G | 2A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 16GP | 0G | 2A | +2 | 2 PIM |
Allsvenskan Team: Örebro HK
Team Record: 16-9-3
| Season Stats | 13GP | 5G | 1A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 1A | +2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 15GP | 6G | 2A | +4 | 2 PIM |
D Magnus Nygren: 22 years old, 6’1”, 191 pounds, RH shot.
Elitserien Team: Färjestads BK
Team Record: 18-9-4
| Season Stats | 27GP | 6G | 11A | +8 | 41 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 27GP | 6G | 11A | +8 | 41 PIM |
European Trophy Tournament:
| Tournament Stats | 8GP | 4G | 0A | 0 | 6 PIM |
Why are those injured/suspended players listed as question marks? We know why they’re not producing. It’s not their fault that they’re not playing (save for the suspended players.)
There should be a separate section for injured players. Question Marks should be for players who aren’t producing.
I understand the sentiment but injuries are also a concern about a player’s future. Big injuries and significant time loss hurt development or put a future at risk entirely. That’s why I rank them in there, it’s a consideration about a prospect’s status.