BUFFALO | There are high expectations for the next generation of Canadians. After years of dry spells, there is finally talent in the company’s prospect bank. However, patience, a popular term within the team, will continue to be a key element given this rookie tournament in the city of Rasmus Dahlin.
The CH won two of its three games in Buffalo, but no player was able to completely prevail against the competition. We would have liked to see dynamic defenseman Lane Hutson, but NCAA regulations prevented him from playing in this tournament.
We offer you observations on 20 of the 27 CH players in this rookie camp in Buffalo.
Logan Mailloux:
Mailloux had a false start against the Sabres, but rebounded well in his final two games.
“I hadn’t played for five or six months and I needed to get rid of the nerves,” Mailloux said. I wore the Canadian uniform for the first time. I was nervous, but found my rhythm again as the tournament progressed. »
David Reinbacher:
At the age of 18, Reinbacher took his first steps in North America and is still in training mode. The fifth pick in the last draft offered an honest performance in his three games without being spectacular.
Sean Farrell:
Farrell is one of the disappointments in the CH camp at this tournament. There is a big step between Harvard and the professional ranks. He has talent and offensive instincts, but he lacked the fighting spirit.
Archive photo, Pierre-Paul Poulin
William Trudeau:
To use the words of Jean-François Houle, Trudeau was the one who “executed” the patent on the blue line. Played in two of the three games, he was the most consistent defender. A very good tournament.
Owen Beck:
Beck blocks shots and plays with heart. But he wasn’t as dominant as he was last year at the same rookie tournament.
Filip Mesar:
Mesar, deployed at center in the last two meetings, was more visible and more in control. The Slovakian has to collect miles with the Laval rocket.
Joshua Roy:
Roy finds ways to stand out and create scoring opportunities. He collected 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) in 3 games.
Photo Martin Alarie
Miguel Tourigny:
A favorite of this tournament. Tourigny trusted his speed, his offensive skills, but also his enthusiasm. Day and night with his participation last year. He described his time in Slovakia last season as a very formative element in his development.
Xavier Simoneau:
Simoneau was given a leave of absence for the final game. But he had already won enough points. He was still pushing the pedal.
Riley kidney:
Against the Senators, Kidney played better with one goal, but remained invisible in the other two games. Like Farrell, he often lacks intensity.
Jakub Dobes:
A two-game start against the Sabres. The Czech played very well for the first 30 minutes before running out of energy.
Quentin Miller:
Miller showed a very good performance against the Bruins and secured the win. A quiet goalkeeper for his young age of 18.
Florian Xhekaj:
He has Xhekaj on his nose. You feel that straight away, but in a winger role. Especially in his second game against the Senators, he caused several players to mess up the cage.
Jayden Struble:
Struble was absent against the Sabers and performed well in the next two meetings. The American gave the blue line a good dose of robustness.
Archive photo, AFP
Emil Heinemann:
We expected more from the Swede, especially after his end to the season last year with the Rockets. He played two pretty tepid games.
Cedrick Guindon:
CH’s 2022 fourth-round pick scored his team’s only power play goal of the tournament. Guindon will return to the OHL in Owen Sound and will be a Junior Team Canada prospect.
Jan Mysak:
Mysak attended all three meetings. He played two good games against the Bruins and the Sens.
Martin Chevalier / JdeM
Ty Smilanic:
Smilanic was acquired with the Panthers as part of the Ben Chiarot transfer and hasn’t broken anything during his time in Buffalo. The road will be long for him.
Isaac Dufort:
When Dufort was invited to this tournament, he received kind words from Houle. And for a good reason. We liked his commitment and willingness to fight.
Riley McKay:
A pest. He lived up to his reputation by angering his rivals. He will walk between Laval and Trois-Rivières.