Each year at the NHL’s evaluation camp in Buffalo, draft hopefuls go through a series of physical evaluations. Cardio, leg strength, hand strength, balance: it’s all there.
Posted at 9:32 p.m.
However, Maveric Lamoureux ranked in the top 10 in 11 of the 18 categories. That’s why Ryan Jankowski, co-director of amateur scouting for the Arizona Coyotes, was thrilled to get his hands on what he considers “the best athlete” in this evaluation camp to which nearly 100 hopefuls took part. participated. Lamoureux, a defenseman, was drafted at 29e rank by the Coyotes late Thursday night.
“Because he’s 6’7 and moves so well, he’ll be able to develop. He still has a long way to go. But when you have such skills and that skating, it’s quite a piece in an organization, “said Jankowski proudly.
Lamoureux was one of two Quebecers claimed in the first round this year, the other being forward Nathan Gaucher.
Conversely, Noah Warren, although perceived as a phenomenal athlete, did not particularly stand out during these tests, but he was nevertheless selected in the 42e rank by Anaheim. Proof that some teams relativize the scope of evaluations.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
noah warren
“The test results give us an athletic image of the player at point A, notes Martin Madden, big boss of recruiting for the Ducks. In terms of predictive qualities, it doesn’t really tell the story. We see the potential of the player and what we will have to do to help him progress. If his tests are not remarkable and we still see his athletic qualities on the ice, imagine when he will have developed his athletic abilities! »
Speaking of the Coyotes, they drew twice rather than once in the QMJHL, since they got their hands on Jérémy Langlois at 94e rank.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Jeremy Langlois
The defenseman wasn’t the easiest player to spy on, as Coyotes director of amateur scouting Darryl Plandowski recalled.
“I’ve been watching him since he was 16, it gave us more time. But he was injured, there was COVID and he plays in Cape Breton, so that’s a lot of obstacles! He was in a difficult situation in Cape Town, as the team never won. That he survived that said a lot about him. He’s a good young man. »
The poor Screaming Eagles finished the season with a 14-47-7 record, the worst in the QMJHL.
No, Kent Hughes ultimately didn’t draft his son, Jack. The Los Angeles Kings have set their sights on the Habs GM’s son at 51e rank.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Jack Hughes
Jack Hughes was hopeful of being claimed at the first round, even though NHL Central Scouting dropped him from 7e at 26e rank of North American skaters in its final ranking.
Hughes did, however, get a good old “Ted talk” from Martin St-Louis.
“Even though Martin wasn’t drafted, that didn’t stop him from becoming the player he became,” Hughes wisely recalled. He gave me good advice, told me to take advantage of the moment, that my rank was not going to change who I am as a person, as a player. It allowed me to be more relaxed today. »
Jordan Dumais didn’t make any friends at NHL Central Scouting this spring. The forward had told our colleague Katherine Harvey-Pinard that the scouts who work there, “if they were really good recruiters, they would work for an NHL team”.
PHOTO TREVOR MACMILLAN, SUPPLIED BY HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS
Jordan Dumais
Dumais finished the season at 3e rank in the QMJHL with 109 points. The only two players who supplanted him, Joshua Roy and William Dufour, are older than him. Despite this impressive production, he had to wait at 96e rank to find out his fate, when the Blue Jackets claimed him. Obviously, several scouts had reservations despite his offensive production.
Dumais, however, did not deliver comments as explosive as last spring, during his meeting with the media. Will he feel he has something to prove because of this late selection rank? “Sure, but my whole career, I had something to prove, he replied. People talk to me about my size and my skating. I just have to work hard. »
We asked Dumais if employees of the NHL Central Scouting had questioned him this week, about his comment in the spring. “No, I haven’t spoken to anyone. »
The young man obviously does not want to make waves anymore.