With the loss total piling higher and higher, fans of the Halifax Mooseheads don’t have much to cheer for these days. Except, of course, the chase for a No. 1 overall draft pick.
The Mooseheads are edging closer and closer to finishing as one of the QMJHL’s bottom two teams.
That would secure their entry into a 50-50 draw for the No. 1 pick in June’s draft at Marcel Dionne Centre in Drummondville, Que.
Although it’s still early, Metro called upon Antigonish-based International Scouting Service for their expertise to find out what kind of talent the Herd has to choose from.
Following is the ISS top-five for 2010 listed with position, height, weight, team, league and stats (GP-G-A-P-PIM). Comments are from ISS chief scout Chris Mooring.
1. Jeremie Fraser
D, 6-1, 199, Gatineau (Quebec midget AAA), 27-4-14-18-72.
“He’s the most polished of the group … He’s a pro skater with smooth, strong, powerful strides. He shows more of an offensive side than (No. 2 Dominic) Poulin.”
2. Dominic Poulin
D, 6-1, 183, St. Francois (Quebec midget AAA), 31-7-10-17-50.
“He’s solid all-around, he contributes at both ends of the ice. He’s more physical than Fraser but not as good a skater, not as polished. He’s smart, strong and steady and he’s better defensively than Fraser.”
3. Luca Ciampini
LW, 5-11, 186, Chateauguay (Quebec midget AAA), 31-15-22-37-44.
“He’s a little bit like (Minnesota Wild forward Guillaume) Latendresse, but he might be more physical than Latendresse at the same age.”
4. Taylor Burke
C, 6-0, 190, Cole Harbour (major midget), 33-21-31-52-56.
“He’s a bit like (NHLer and former Cape Breton Screaming Eagles star James) Sheppard … He has the same kind of physical tools as far as puck protection. He dominates the boards and he goes to the net.”
5. Frederick Gamelin
C, 5-7, 148, Chateauguay (Quebec midget AAA), 35-11-32-43-12.
“He’s Ciampini’s linemate. Most of the goals Ciampini scores, this guy sets them up. He’s a small, dynamic, playmaking centre. If you’re looking for pure offence in this league, it’s this guy.”
Long time comin’
The Mooseheads haven’t had a No. 1 pick since their expansion year in 1994, when they took forward Etienne Drapeau. Their highest picks since were goalie Pascal Leclaire (fifth in 1998) and forward David Gilbert (fifth in 2007).
