By Robert Rice, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
TORONTO, ON — This week in review (November 5 – 11), a familiar name leads the way.
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
Taking the lead amongst Canadiens prospects for a 2nd week in a row, Alex Galchenyuk continues to be the engine that drives the offence of the Sarnia Sting. Galchenyuk would begin his campaign on Friday night, assisting on the game-tying goal late in the 3rd period and than quickly marking the game-winning goal in an eventual 4-2 victory for Sarnia over the Guelph Storm. Galchenyuk would post similar success on Sunday, scoring the game-tying goal and than later assisting on the game-winner to give Sarnia a 3-2 victory over the Sudbury Wolves. Galchenyuk’s recent feats are notable, as his 4-game points streak of 5 goals and 6 assists coincides with a 4-game winning streak that has made Sarnia the leader in their Division and 2nd in the Western Conference. Galchenyuk currently stands in a tie for 3rd overall in OHL scoring. Galchenyuk was drafted in the 1st round, 3rd overall in the 2012 NHL Draft.
2. LW Olivier Archambault
While consistency continues to dog Archambault in Drummondville, he managed to surge ahead at least for this week. Archambault managed his first 3-point game of the season on Saturday, marking a goal and two assists in a 6-2 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs. Archambault would add another goal to his totals on Sunday, in a 5-4 victory over Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Archambault was drafted in the 4th round, 108th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.
3. D Mac Bennett
Mac Bennett has come into his own this season with the University of Michigan Wolverines. While Bennett would only collect one assist this weekend in a Saturday loss to the Michigan State Spartans after going pointless on Friday. Bennett has reached an important level this season in defensive scoring in the NCAA though. Through 9 games, Mac Bennett has collected 3 goals and 7 assists to be the defensive scoring leader for the entire NCAA. Bennett was drafted in the 3rd round, 79th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft.
On The Radar:
– C Mark MacMillan scored a goal and assist.
– LW Steve Quailer scored his first professional goal in the AHL.
Question Marks:
– RW Alex Avtsin due to being scratched since the start of Hamilton’s season has been relegated to the fringe prospect group.
– LW Tim Bozon was suspended one game for a spitting incident at the end of a game on November 6th.
– LW Blake Geoffrion is recovering from a depressed skull fracture and is out indefinitely.
– RW Louis Leblanc is out with a right ankle injury.
– D Greg Pateryn is out indefinitely with a fractured elbow..
– D Dalton Thrower is out with a lower body injury.
Complete Statistics for the week of November 5, 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 4-4-1-1 this season, 5th in the North Division, 25th overall in the AHL.
D Nathan Beaulieu: 19 years old, 6’2”, 194 pounds, LH shot.
Season Stats | 8GP | 0G | 1A | +3 | 2 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -4 | 4 PIM |
Complete Stats | 10GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 6 PIM |
C Michaël Bournival: 20 years old, 5’11, 191 pounds, LH shot.
Season Stats | 8GP | 1G | 3A | +1 | 8 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -4 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 10GP | 1G | 3A | -3 | 8 PIM |
C Gabriel Dumont: 22 years old, 5’10”, 189 pounds, RH shot.
Season Stats | 8GP | 2G | 1A | +2 | 11 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | -2 | 2 PIM |
Complete Stats | 10GP | 2G | 2A | 0 | 13 PIM |
D Morgan Ellis: 20 years old, 6’1″, 202 pounds, RH shot.
Season Stats | 5GP | 0G | 0A | -3 | 4 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -3 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 7GP | 0G | 0A | -6 | 4 PIM |
RW Brendan Gallagher: 20 years old, 5’9″, 182 pounds, RH shot.
Season Stats | 8GP | 3G | 3A | 0 | 13 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -3 | 2 PIM |
Complete Stats | 10GP | 3G | 3A | -3 | 15 PIM |
LW Blake Geoffrion: 24 years old, 6’1”, 190 pounds, LH shot.
Season Stats | 8GP | 4G | 2A | -3 | 9 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 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 | 8GP | 1G | 4A | -2 | 0 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -3 | 2 PIM |
Complete Stats | 10GP | 1G | 4A | -5 | 2 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 | 6GP | 0G | 4A | +3 | 10 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 8GP | 0G | 4A | +3 | 10 PIM |
C Joonas Nattinen: 21 years old, 6’2”, 187 pounds, RH shot.
Season Stats | 5GP | 0G | 1A | +2 | 2 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 7GP | 0G | 2A | +1 | 2 PIM |
RW Aaron Palushaj: 22 years old, 6′, 188 pounds, RH shot.
Season Stats | 8GP | 3G | 2A | -3 | 2 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -1 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 10GP | 3G | 2A | -4 | 2 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 | 8GP | 0G | 3A | -2 | 9 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | +1 | 2 PIM |
Complete Stats | 10GP | 1G | 3A | -1 | 11 PIM |
D Jarred Tinordi: 20 years old, 6’6″, 218 pounds, LH shot
Season Stats | 8GP | 0G | 2A | -5 | 4 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -3 | 5 PIM |
Complete Stats | 10GP | 0G | 2A | -8 | 9 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: 11-10-0-0
Season Stats | 19GP | 7G | 8A | -1 | 8 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 2G | 2A | 0 | 6 PIM |
Complete Stats | 21GP | 9G | 10A | -1 | 14 PIM |
LW Charles Hudon: 18 years old, 5’10”, 171 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Chicoutimi Saguenéens – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 8-10-2-1
Season Stats | 14GP | 9G | 10A | +6 | 24 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 1GP | 1G | 0A | +2 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 15GP | 10G | 10A | +8 | 24 PIM |
OHL:
C Alex Galchenyuk: 18 years old, 6’0”, 194 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Sarnia Sting – Team Captain
Team Record: 12-7-0-1
Season Stats | 18GP | 11G | 17A | +6 | 14 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 2G | 2A | 0 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 20GP | 13G | 19A | +6 | 14 PIM |
C Brady Vail: 18 years old, 6’, 195 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Windsor Spitfires – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 8-8-0-4
Season Stats | 18GP | 7G | 15A | 0 | 16 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 1GP | 0G | 0A | -1 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 19GP | 7G | 15A | -1 | 16 PIM |
WHL:
LW Tim Bozon: 18 years old, 6’0”, 183 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Kamloops Blazers
Team Record: 17-5-0-1
Season Stats | 19GP | 14G | 17A | +17 | 14 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 8 PIM |
Complete Stats | 22GP | 14G | 18A | +16 | 22 PIM |
D Darren Dietz: 19 years old, 6’1”, 195 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 8-10-0-1
Season Stats | 17GP | 6G | 4A | -11 | 27 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 4 PIM |
Complete Stats | 19GP | 6G | 5A | -11 | 31 PIM |
D Dalton Thrower: 18 years old, 5’11”, 200 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades
Team Record: 8-10-0-1
Season Stats | 13GP | 2G | 4A | +1 | 25 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 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: 4-4-1
Season Stats | 7GP | 3G | 6A | +8 | 2 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 9GP | 3G | 7A | +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: 4-3-1
Season Stats | 4GP | 1G | 5A | +1 | 2 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 6GP | 1G | 6A | +1 | 2 PIM |
C Mark MacMillan: 20 years old, 6’, 183 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux
Team Record: 4-3-1
Season Stats | 6GP | 2G | 2A | 0 | 2 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 1A | +2 | 2 PIM |
Complete Stats | 8GP | 3G | 3A | +2 | 4 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 | 8GP | 1G | 3A | +3 | 2 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 0GP | 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 | 6GP | 2G | 0A | +1 | 2 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 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 | 20GP | 6G | 6A | +4 | 12 PIM |
Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
Complete Stats | 20GP | 6G | 6A | +4 | 12 PIM |
European Trophy Tournament:
Tournament Stats | 8GP | 4G | 0A | 0 | 6 PIM |