By Robert Rice, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
TORONTO, ON — This week in review (October 29 – November 4) there is a name that has been on the tips of many tongues since he was drafted in June of this year.
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 Alex Galchenyuk
If Alex Galchenyuk is proving one thing of late, is that he is close to without equal in the OHL. Galchenyuk had a quiet beginning to his weekend with Sarnia, going without a point in a 3-2 loss to the Plymouth Whalers on Friday. Galchenyuk however was quick to get his revenge as Sarnia visited Plymouth the following night and scored two goals and two assists in a 7-5 victory. Galchenyuk showed he still had plenty in the tank on Sunday as he scored a goal and two assists to ensure a 5-4 victory over the Saginaw Spirit. Galchenyuk’s 7-point week has raised him to 4th overall in OHL scoring and has scored three points or more in four of his last six games. Galchenyuk was drafted in the 1st round, 3rd overall in the 2012 NHL Draft.
2. D Magnus Nygren
Magnus Nygren had not made too much noise to start the season, but his recent streak has seen him rise to the top of the defensive scorers in the Swedish Elitserien. Nygren would begin his week picking up an assist on Tuesday in a 2-0 victory for Färjestads over MODO. Nygren would add a goal on Thursday in a 4-0 victory over Rögle. Nygren finished his week with his 6th goal of the season in a 3-2 victory over Linköpings. Nygren’s 6-game points streak of three goals, three assists has raised him to a tie for first overall in Elitserien defensive scoring with 12 points in 20 games and 1st overall in defensive goal scoring with six goals on his season. Nygren was drafted in the 4th round, 113th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.
3. RW Brendan Gallagher
The eternally energetic Gallagher is raising his profile with the Hamilton Bulldogs of late as he adjusts to the pace of professional hockey. Gallagher would begin his week scoring a goal in an eventual 3-2 shootout loss to the Rochester Americans on Friday. Gallagher would help the Bulldogs extract revenge on Saturday, scoring a goal and assist as they rallied from a 2-0 deficit to a 4-3 victory over the Rochester. Gallagher is now tied for the team lead in scoring with 3 goals and 3 assists on his season. Gallagher was drafted in the 5th round, 147th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft.
On The Radar: 
– D Mac Bennett scored two goals and two assists.
– LW Blake Geoffrion scored two goals and now leads Hamilton in goals.
– LW Charles Hudon has returned from injury and scored three assists.
– D Dalton Thrower scored a goal and two assists.
Question Marks:
– LW Olivier Archambault is without a point in his last four games.
– RW Alex Avtsin continues to be a healthy scratch in Hamilton.
– RW Louis Leblanc is out with a right ankle injury.
– D Greg Pateryn is out indefinitely with a fractured elbow..
Complete Statistics for the week of October 29, 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, 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 4-2-1-1 this season.
RW Alexander Avtsin: 23 years old, 6’2″, 199 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
D Nathan Beaulieu: 19 years old, 6’2”, 194 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 0G | 0A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 0G | 1A | +3 | 2 PIM |
C Michaël Bournival: 20 years old, 5’11, 191 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 1G | 2A | 0 | 6 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 1G | 3A | 0 | 8 PIM |
C Gabriel Dumont: 22 years old, 5’10”, 189 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 2G | 1A | +1 | 9 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | +1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 2G | 1A | +2 | 11 PIM |
D Morgan Ellis: 20 years old, 6’1″, 202 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 3GP | 0G | 0A | -2 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -1 | 4 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 5GP | 0G | 0A | -3 | 4 PIM |
RW Brendan Gallagher: 20 years old, 5’9″, 182 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 1G | 2A | 0 | 6 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 2G | 1A | 0 | 7 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 3G | 3A | 0 | 13 PIM |
LW Blake Geoffrion: 24 years old, 6’1”, 190 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 2G | 2A | -3 | 7 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 2G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 4G | 2A | -3 | 7 PIM |
RW Patrick Holland: 20 years old, 6’, 175 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 1G | 3A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 1G | 4A | -2 | 0 PIM |
C Louis Leblanc: 21 years old, 6’, 190 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 3GP | 2G | 0A | +1 | 9 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 3GP | 2G | 0A | +1 | 9 PIM |
D Brendon Nash: 23 years old, 6’3″, 206 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 4GP | 0G | 2A | +2 | 8 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 2A | +1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 6GP | 0G | 4A | +3 | 10 PIM |
C Joonas Nattinen: 21 years old, 6’2”, 187 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 3GP | 0G | 1A | +2 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 5GP | 0G | 1A | +2 | 2 PIM |
RW Aaron Palushaj: 22 years old, 6′, 188 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 3G | 1A | -2 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 3G | 2A | -3 | 2 PIM |
D Greg Pateryn: 21 years old, 6’2”, 219 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 6GP | 0G | 1A | -3 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 1GP | 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 | 6GP | 0G | 3A | -4 | 9 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | +2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 0G | 3A | -2 | 9 PIM |
D Jarred Tinordi: 20 years old, 6’6″, 218 pounds, LH shot
| Season Stats | 6GP | 0G | 1A | -5 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 0G | 2A | -5 | 4 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: 9-10-0-0
| Season Stats | 16GP | 7G | 8A | 0 | 8 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 0A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 19GP | 7G | 8A | -1 | 8 PIM |
LW Charles Hudon: 18 years old, 5’10”, 171 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Chicoutimi Saguenéens – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 7-10-2-1
| Season Stats | 11GP | 9G | 7A | +4 | 16 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 3A | +2 | 8 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 13GP | 9G | 10A | +6 | 24 PIM |
OHL:
C Alex Galchenyuk: 18 years old, 6’0”, 194 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Sarnia Sting – Team Captain
Team Record: 10-7-0-1
| Season Stats | 15GP | 8G | 13A | +2 | 12 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 3G | 4A | +4 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 17GP | 11G | 17A | +6 | 14 PIM |
C Brady Vail: 18 years old, 6’, 195 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Windsor Spitfires – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 8-7-0-4
| Season Stats | 16GP | 6G | 14A | -2 | 14 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 1A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 18GP | 7G | 15A | 0 | 16 PIM |
WHL:
LW Tim Bozon: 18 years old, 6’0”, 183 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Kamloops Blazers
Team Record: 17-1-0-1
| Season Stats | 16GP | 14G | 15A | +15 | 12 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 2A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 19GP | 14G | 17A | +17 | 14 PIM |
D Darren Dietz: 19 years old, 6’1”, 195 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 7-9-0-1
| Season Stats | 14GP | 6G | 3A | -7 | 18 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 1A | -3 | 9 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 17GP | 6G | 4A | -10 | 27 PIM |
D Dalton Thrower: 18 years old, 5’11”, 200 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades
Team Record: 7-9-0-1
| Season Stats | 10GP | 1G | 2A | 0 | 19 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 1G | 2A | +1 | 6 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 13GP | 2G | 4A | +1 | 25 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: 3-3-1
| Season Stats | 5GP | 1G | 4A | +6 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 2G | 2A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 7GP | 3G | 6A | +8 | 2 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: 3-2-1
| Season Stats | 2GP | 0G | 4A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 1A | -1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 4GP | 1G | 5A | 0 | 2 PIM |
C Mark MacMillan: 20 years old, 6’, 183 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux
Team Record: 3-2-1
| Season Stats | 4GP | 2G | 0A | +1 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 2A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 6GP | 2G | 2A | 0 | 2 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: 6-12-0-0
| Season Stats | 5GP | 1G | 3A | +3 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 1G | 3A | +3 | 2 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: 9-9-2
| 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: 11-6-2
| Season Stats | 3GP | 2G | 0A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 0A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 6GP | 2G | 0A | +1 | 2 PIM |
D Magnus Nygren: 22 years old, 6’1”, 191 pounds, RH shot.
Elitserien Team: Färjestads BK
Team Record: 11-5-4
| Season Stats | 17GP | 4G | 5A | +0 | 10 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 2G | 1A | +4 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 20GP | 6G | 6A | +4 | 12 PIM |
European Trophy Tournament:
| Tournament Stats | 8GP | 4G | 0A | 0 | 6 PIM |
Happy for Gally. Do you not keep track of Nystrom?
Nystrom isn’t quite on my radar yet due to him playing in the Swedish U20 league which not to sound snobbish (but I will anyway) I don’t consider it a league of high enough competition to rank his stats there as relevant compared to the rest of the prospect field.
Nystrom is about 10th overall in Swedish J20
Robert — What’s the deal with Bozon and Vail. Both have put up impressive numbers. Are they long-term projects to make the NHL, or are they likely to make it?
Robert,
Holland, Beaulieu and Bennett should be in there above Nygren and Gallagher.
Holland and Beaulieu have both been best 2 players for Bulldogs easily, ignore the stats.
Bennett was the most improved Michigan player Red Berenson said last year and he is continuing to show why Timmins took him.
Nygren has always been good offensively, it is the other end of ice he has been weak at, so again dont let his scoring fool you, MAB also can score with the best of d-men, but couldnt stop my grandmother one-on -one.
But at least Nygren is a +4 for now, so maybe is improving? See how he does in Hamilton next year!
But still nice to see prospect write ups, well done
I understand not everyone agrees with my awarding of stars but I would reiterate that this is a report based essentially on statistics. I do not have access to all the games that these guys play nor are there enough hours in my day, or any day to see it all and break it down. Given that, I work off of game reports + points production to give my best view on who the 3 Top performers are in a week.
It was a tough week to assign stars with a lot of close performances but this is how I meted them out. I decided Nygren deserved credit for being 1st in the Elitserien in defensive scoring, and Gallagher being the best points guy for Hamilton over two games.
Robert,
like i said, nice to see write ups on prospects and only my opinion, would be too easy on you to just agree with your ranking, no offense.
cheers
It’s all good Don, just giving my perspective on how I rank. I wish I could get paid to watch the prospects and break it all down but that’s not life.