from the fact that there were five no-shows at the QMJHL’s Top Prospects
Showcase on Friday.
Although Hawes wasn’t one
of the 13 first-round prospects who trotted onto the stage at the Capitol
Theatre in Moncton, the Dartmouth Subways forward could move into that
territory in Saturday’s draft if the no-shows threatening to go NCAA
aren’t selected.
Hawes, of Tangier, is ranked
20th overall by Central Scouting.
“We had 20 guys all year
who we thought could be ranked in the first round and Cole was there
from the start,” said Central Scouting director Patrick Charbonneau.
“He just missed the cut, but he’s a guy who could jump in because
of guys who say they’re not coming.”
Interestingly enough, Hawes
is ranked one spot after the Halifax Mooseheads pick first at 19th overall.
He is the type of player who would definitely interest the Mooseheads,
although whether they pick Hawes depends on what other players slide.
The 5-foot-10, 162-pound forward
potted 21 goals and added six assists in 35 games and is considered
a character goal scorer. His older brother, Tyler, is a former Rouyn-Noranda
Huskies captain.
Charbonneau likens him to a
goal-scoring version of Marc Savard.
“He’s a really, really,
really good player with unbelievable hands,” Charbonneau said. “When
he goes in on a breakaway, you can put your hands up and cheer before
he even shoots.”
Philippe Hudon (ranked second),
Xavier Ouellet (fifth), Brent Andrews (11th), Pierre Durepos (14th)
and Jonathan Huberdeau (17th) were the players who decided not to show
up.
No. 1-ranked Olivier Archambault
did attend and told reporters afterward he is ready and willing to report
to the Val-d’Or Foreurs if they end up selecting him first overall
on Saturday.
The 5-foot-10, 157-pounder
lit up the Quebec midget AAA ranks with Esther-Blondin, scoring 49 points
in 45 games, most among rookies. He projects as a high-end point-producer.
“He’s got a lot of raw
skill,” said Charbonneau. “He’s got great hands, he’s quick,
he can go around defencemen and cut to the middle like Pavel Datsyuk.
At 18, 19, he will be a first-liner.”
Follow Matthew Wuest’s
live updates from the draft floor in Moncton via @metroqfiles on Twitter.
Also look for more detailed updates on his Q Files blog at www.metronews.ca/qfiles.
