Habs Prospect Update #1
October 5, 2019
By Grant McCagg
Rhett Pitlick was the first star in Omaha’s 4-3 OT win in USHL action last night. Pitlick scored his second goal of the season and then sealed the victory with a shootout tally. Pitlick has two goals in Omaha’s first three games of the season. I expect him to be one of the USHLs top goal scorers.
Jesse Ylonen had a goal and an assist in the Pelicans 3-1 win yesterday. Here was his goal – https://liiga.fi/fi/ottelut/2019-2020/runkosarja/59/seuranta/
Ylonen is tied for 45th overall with five points in eight FHL games. He is averaging 17:42 in ice time.
Jacob LeGuerrier picked up his third assist in just four games last night as Sault Ste. Marie remained unbeaten. Trevor Timmins noted at the draft that he expected to see a spike in offence from the fifth-round pick this season. After garnering 16 points last season, he is currently on pace for 51 assists this campaign.
Allan McShane picked up his seventh point of the season (an assist) last night in Oshawa’s fifth game. No points for Guelph captain Cam Hillis last night. He has two assists in four games thus far.
Alex Romanov has two assists through 12 games for CSKA in the KHL. They both came in a 9-3 win on Oct. 1. Alex is concentrating on the defensive side of the game, and impressing everyone with his poise playing in such a strong league as a teenager. Look for him to start to produce more as the season drags along and he gains more and more confidence. He should be a force at the World Juniors.
No points for Modo defenceman Mattias Norlinder yesterday, but European scout Patrik Bexall opined on twitter that the skilled defender had his best all-around game, standing out defensively. Norlinder has four goals in seven games, which leads all Allsvenskan defencemen.
Former Montreal draft pick Scott Walford is leading all WHL defenceman in goals and points so far this season, tallying four goals and seven points through six games for Saskatoon. Cole Fonstad has started slowly..with one goal and two assists through five games.
Samuel Houde looks to be finally hitting his stride offensively in the QMJHL. After scoring just 34 goals through his first three season, Houde had a goal and an assist last night and now has six points in five games. He scored a beauty in Hull last Saturday with a laser wrist shot top shelf. Hopefully, he reaches the next level offensively in what should be his final QMJHL season and he can contribute in Laval next year.
Kieran Ruscheinski has two assists through ten games playing for Salmon Arm in the BCHL. Expect him to heat up offesnively as he gets into the swing of things. He missed much of last season with injuury, and is making the jump from midget hockey.
A slow start offensively for Chicoutimi captain Rafael Harvey-Pinard. He has only one assist through his first five games with his new club.
Several Canadiens prospects get their seasons started next weekend as the NCAA season gets underway. The two main teams to watch will be Wisconsin and Northeastern, as both have two prospects each. Forwards Cole Caufield and Jack Gorniak will be fun to watch in Wisconsin this season, while Jayden Struble and sophomore Jordan Harris will be patrrolling Northeastern’s blueline. Brett Stapley returns to Denver for his second season. Hopefully he can stay healthy his campaign. I will be watching as many games as I can this season and providing scouting reports.