by Robert Rice, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
TORONTO, ON — This week in review (December 10 – December 16), the glory once again goes to the hottest Canadiens prospect since P.K. Subban.
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
There is not much else to say that has not already been said about Alex Galchenyuk, he is simply playing at a level his opponents can not match, or hope to contain. Galchenyuk would warm himself up with a 3-point game against the Guelph Storm on Friday night, scoring two goals and an assist in a 4-2 victory. Galchenyuk would show he had plenty left in his tank the following night, putting up one of his finest performances of the year against the Kingston Frontenacs. Scoring three goals and two assists in a 7-4 victory, Galchenyuk would match his career-best mark of 5 points in a game, which he had set just 14 days earlier. Galchenyuk’s scoring totals have raised him to 27 goals and 34 assists over the season, tying him for 1st in goal scoring in the OHL and placing him just 1 point out of the OHL scoring lead. Galchenyuk was drafted in the 1st round, 3rd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Draft.
2. RW Danny Kristo
After a brief absence from the scoring sheet with North Dakota, Danny Kristo has come roaring back. Kristo’s skills were on full display on Friday night, as he scored a goal and two assists to help guide a 6-1 victory over the Michigan Tech Huskies. Kristo would next replicate the effort on Saturday, scoring another goal and two assists helping North Dakota to a 4-1 victory over Michigan Tech and a sweep of their weekend series against the Huskies. Kristo’s 8 goals and 13 assists are good enough to rank him 14th overall in national scoring in NCAA hockey. Kristo was drafted in the 2nd round, 56th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2008 NHL Draft.
3. D Nathan Beaulieu
The premiere player for the Hamilton Bulldogs in December, Nathan Beaulieu has led his team in scoring so far this month after a fairly quiet October and November. After going pointless in a 1-0 victory over the Lake Erie Monsters, Beaulieu would hit an important milestone in his fledgling pro career. In an eventual 4-3 loss to the Chicago Wolves, Beaulieu would mark an assist and than his first professional goal. Beaulieu would pick up another assist the following night in a 6-4 victory over the Rockford IceHogs. Beaulieu would finish the week without a point against the Milwaukee Admirals in a 4-3 loss. Beaulieu is currently the defensive scoring leader amongst Hamilton blueliners with a goal and 8 assists. Beaulieu was drafted in the 1st round, 17th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2011 NHL Draft.
On The Radar:
– LW Olivier Archambault scored two goals and an assist. 
– C Michaël Bournival scored a goal and two assists.
– LW Tim Bozon scored two goals and three assists.
– D Darren Dietz scored two goals and an assist.
– RW Brendan Gallagher scored a goal and two assists.
– C Mark MacMillan scored a goal and two assists.
– C Joonas Nättinen scored two goals and an assist.
– D Dalton Thrower scored three assists.
Question Marks:
– LW Blake Geoffrion is out indefinitely while recovering from a depressed skull fracture.
– RW Aaron Palushaj is out with a shoulder injury.
– D Greg Pateryn is out indefinitely with a fractured elbow.
Complete Statistics for the week of December 10, 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 10-12-1-1 this season, 5th in the North Division, 29th overall in the AHL.
D Nathan Beaulieu: 19 years old, 6’2”, 194 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 19GP | 0G | 6A | -3 | 19 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 1G | 2A | -1 | 12 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 23GP | 1G | 8A | -4 | 31 PIM |
C Michaël Bournival: 20 years old, 5’11, 191 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 18GP | 1G | 6A | -2 | 12 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 1G | 2A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 22GP | 2G | 8A | -3 | 12 PIM |
C Gabriel Dumont: 22 years old, 5’10”, 189 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 20GP | 3G | 6A | +3 | 26 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 2G | 0A | 0 | 7 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 24GP | 5G | 6A | +3 | 33 PIM |
D Morgan Ellis: 20 years old, 6’1″, 202 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 17GP | 1G | 3A | -4 | 27 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 1G | 0A | -2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 21GP | 2G | 3A | -6 | 29 PIM |
RW Brendan Gallagher: 20 years old, 5’9″, 182 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 20GP | 6G | 6A | -1 | 37 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 1G | 2A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 24GP | 7G | 8A | +1 | 39 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 | 20GP | 3G | 4A | -6 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 24GP | 3G | 4A | -6 | 2 PIM |
C Louis Leblanc: 21 years old, 6’, 190 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 8GP | 3G | 1A | 0 | 9 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 0G | 0A | -2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 12GP | 3G | 1A | -2 | 11 PIM |
D Brendon Nash: 23 years old, 6’3″, 206 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 15GP | 0G | 5A | +2 | 21 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 0G | 1A | +2 | 16 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 19GP | 0G | 6A | +4 | 37 PIM |
C Joonas Nättinen: 21 years old, 6’2”, 187 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 15GP | 3G | 2A | +4 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 2G | 1A | +1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 19GP | 5G | 3A | +5 | 4 PIM |
RW Aaron Palushaj: 22 years old, 6′, 188 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 20GP | 7G | 3A | -9 | 18 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 1GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 21GP | 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 | 20GP | 3G | 3A | +1 | 15 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 1G | 0A | -1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 24GP | 4G | 3A | 0 | 17 PIM |
D Jarred Tinordi: 20 years old, 6’6″, 218 pounds, LH shot
| Season Stats | 20GP | 0G | 2A | -8 | 15 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 1G | 0A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 24GP | 1G | 2A | -6 | 17 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: 19-14-0-1
| Season Stats | 31GP | 13G | 16A | -3 | 18 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 2G | 1A | +1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 34GP | 15G | 17A | -2 | 20 PIM |
LW Charles Hudon: 18 years old, 5’10”, 171 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Chicoutimi Saguenéens – Team Captain
Team Record: 16-16-2-2
| Season Stats | 27GP | 18G | 18A | +7 | 32 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 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: 20-11-0-3
| Season Stats | 31GP | 22G | 31A | +10 | 20 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 5G | 3A | +6 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 33GP | 27G | 34A | +16 | 22 PIM |
C Brady Vail: 18 years old, 6’, 195 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Windsor Spitfires – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 14-15-1-5
| Season Stats | 32GP | 12G | 19A | +1 | 18 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 1G | 0A | -2 | 4 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 35GP | 13G | 19A | -1 | 22 PIM |
WHL:
LW Tim Bozon: 18 years old, 6’0”, 183 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Kamloops Blazers
Team Record: 25-9-2-2
| Season Stats | 33GP | 17G | 25A | +22 | 28 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 2G | 3A | +1 | 8 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 37GP | 19G | 28A | +23 | 36 PIM |
D Darren Dietz: 19 years old, 6’1”, 195 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades – Alternate Captain
Team Record: 19-14-0-1
| Season Stats | 30GP | 7G | 9A | -16 | 43 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 2G | 1A | -3 | 8 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 34GP | 9G | 10A | -19 | 51 PIM |
D Dalton Thrower: 18 years old, 5’11”, 200 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades
Team Record: 19-14-0-1
| Season Stats | 15GP | 2G | 5A | +9 | 23 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 4GP | 0G | 3A | +3 | 13 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 19GP | 2G | 8A | +12 | 36 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: 6-9-2
| Season Stats | 15GP | 4G | 8A | +6 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 17GP | 4G | 8A | +4 | 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: 10-5-3
| Season Stats | 14GP | 6G | 9A | +5 | 10 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 2G | 4A | +6 | 4 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 16GP | 8G | 13A | +11 | 14 PIM |
C Mark MacMillan: 20 years old, 6’, 183 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux
Team Record: 10-5-3
| Season Stats | 16GP | 6G | 6A | +6 | 8 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 2A | +5 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 18GP | 7G | 8A | +11 | 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 | 18GP | 3G | 5A | +3 | 6 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 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: 16-10-3
| Season Stats | 15GP | 6G | 2A | +4 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 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 | 11GP | 4G | 0A | 0 | 6 PIM |
(Feature graphic courtesy of RDS)
RR,
That is the production i had hoped to see from Kristo this year and Kristo/MacMillan’s line had 15 points on weekend, super to see.
I think Beaulieu has 8 points in last 8 (or 9) games and he seems to be getting the bounces now.
And in watching Galchenyuk’s highlights, you got to give Timmins a pat on the back. Am very curious to see how he does vs much tougher competition, over next couple weeks?
Will he dominate on the big ice surface and fill the top corners of nets with that sweet wristshot he has?
How will Collberg look vs his peers? I hope Hudon will get some PP time (2nd unit)?
Also very nice of Sportsnet to be airing several Bulldog games over holidays.
Maybe can go a couple weeks without having to listen to any more broken-record NHL BS!
Galchenyuk’s puck possession abilities are going to serve him well on the big ice, it’s going to be harder to pin him down with more room to move I think. He will be facing top matchups for the majority of the tournament though, will be interesting to see how he matches against it.
Collberg should look good, he’s played against men’s league competition this year and begun to produce, one shouldn’t forget he was PPG in last year’s tournament.
No, i rememeber Collberg standing out, when Forsberg was the one more highly touted.
In both U18 and U20 Collberg did super last year and the 4 minutes/game in the SEL he was getting seemed useless for his development, unless you can learn much just practicing with older players? Too bad he didnt opt for CHL (if his SEL contract would allow).
Sweden and Finland will boast the most 2013 draft kids at the WJC, and Barkov, Lindholm should stand out; but, Ristolainen, Burakovsky, Lekhonen, Wennberg, Jacob de la Rose, etc will also be 1st/2nd rounders worth paying attention to in Thursday’s games and over next couple weeks.