The Three Stars of the Week
1. C Louis Leblanc returns from the injured reserve list and makes his mark at the same time as he gains top honours for the week. Leblanc’s recovery from shoulder surgery had left him unable to attend the Montreal Canadiens training camp or participation in the NHL or the AHL pre-season but he did not let that interrupt his intention to compete as he’s begun his season with an above point per game pace. Six a half months after Leblanc’s last game, he started on Thursday night with the Hamilton Bulldogs against the Rochester Americans and stole the show. In his first professional hockey game, he assisted on both regulation goals by the Bulldogs and finished his night in dramatic fashion when he scored the winning goal in overtime. Leblanc was held off the scoresheet on Saturday in a loss to the Albany Devils, but added an assist to his scoring totals on Sunday as the Bulldogs fell to the Abbotsford Heat. Leblanc was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1st round, 18th overall in the 2009 Entry Draft.
2. C Andreas Engqvist seems set on putting a disappointing cup of coffee with the Montreal Canadiens behind him by proving his worth in Hamilton. Engqvist had a goal and two assists in his first game back, mirroring the production of his teammate Leblanc as their combined scoring efforts paced the Bulldogs to their only victory on the week. Engqvist was held off the scoresheet on Saturday night as the team fell to the Albany Devils, but scored his second goal of the season on Sunday as the Bulldogs dropped their second straight game to the Abbotsford Heat. Engqvist was signed as an undrafted free agent out of the Canadiens summer development camp in July of 2009.
3. D Mac Bennett is continuing to showcase his talents as a sophomore with the University of Michigan Wolverines this season as he maintains a near point per game production on the blue line. Bennett added one assist in each of back to back games over the week to become the scoring leader amongst defencemen on his team and tie for the team lead in assists. Bennett’s current total of 7 assists in 8 games is notable as he is easily set to break his mark of 10 assists over 32 games in his rookie season. Bennett was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 3rd round, 79th overall in the 2009 Entry Draft.
Worthy Mentions: G Peter Delmas won his first start of the season in the ECHL. RW Brendan Gallagher had a goal and assist to continue to lead his team in points. D Magnus Nygren scored an assist to keep pace as 3rd for defensive scoring in the Elitserien. C Dustin Walsh scored two assists in his first game of the season.
Question Marks: C Michael Bournival is out with a shoulder injury and is expected to miss at least three more weeks. D Brendon Nash is recovering from shoulder surgery in early October. C Joonas Nattinen was a healthy scratch for two consecutive games with Hamilton. D Jarred Tinordi is out week to week with an eye injury, there has been no damage to his vision from all reports.
Complete Statistics for the week of October 24th, 2011
Legend
Skaters: Games Played, Goals, Assists, +/-, Penalty Minutes
Goalies: Wins, Losses, Overtime Losses, Shootout Losses, Goals Against Average, Save Percentage
Teams: Wins, Losses, Overtime Losses, Shootout Losses, Ties (for NCAA teams only)
Season Stats: Season scoring prior to the past week.
The AHL Report: The Hamilton Bulldogs have been the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens since 2002. It is the most common route for developing Montreal Canadiens prospects into full-time members of the organization. There are currently 12 members of the Hamilton Bulldogs that can be thought to have consideration for an NHL position. The Hamilton Bulldogs have a record of 4-4-0-0 and are 4th in their Division, 10th in their Conference, 22nd overall in the AHL.
RW Alexander Avtsin: 20 years old, 6'2", 199 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 5GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 0A | -2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 0G | 1A | -2 | 2 PIM |
LW Alain Berger: 20 years old, 6’4”, 211 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 5GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -3 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 7GP | 0G | 1A | -4 | 4 PIM |
C Philip DeSimone 24 years old, 6’1”, 188 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 5GP | 3G | 0A | -3 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 3G | 1A | -4 | 2 PIM |
C Gabriel Dumont: 20 years old, 5'10", 189 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 5GP | 1G | 0A | -3 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 1G | 0A | -3 | 6 PIM |
C Andreas Engqvist: 23 years old, 6'4", 191 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 2G | 2A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 3GP | 2G | 2A | +1 | 0 PIM |
D Mark Mitera: 23 years old, 6’3”, 210 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 5GP | 0G | 1A | -3 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 0A | -5 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 0G | 1A | -8 | 2 PIM |
C Louis Leblanc: 20 years old, 6’, 180 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 1G | 3A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 3GP | 1G | 3A | 0 | 0 PIM |
C Joonas Nättinen: 20 years old, 6’2”, 199 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 4GP | 1G | 0A | -5 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 1GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 5GP | 1G | 0A | -5 | 0 PIM |
RW Aaron Palushaj: 22 years old, 6', 188 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 1GP | 0G | 2A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | -2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 3GP | 0G | 2A | -1 | 0 PIM |
Called up to Montreal:
RW Mike Blunden: 24 years old, 6’4”, 218 pounds, RH shot.
| Season Stats | 5GP | 0G | 3A | +1 | 0 PIM |
Injured:
D Brendon Nash: 23 years old, 6'3", 210 pounds, LH shot.
| Season Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
Assigned to the ECHL:
G Peter Delmas: 21 years old, 6’2”, 188 pound, Catches Left.
AHL:
| Season Stats | 0GP | 0-0-0 | GAA | % |
ECHL:
| Season Stats | 0GP | 0-0-0 | GAA | % |
| Weekly Stats | 1GP | 1-0-0 | 1.87 GAA | .913% |
| Complete Stats | 1GP | 1-0-0 | 1.87 GAA | .913% |
The Juniors Report: The Canadiens currentlyfeature prospects playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL). These leagues can be considered the primary conduit towards professional hockey in North America.
QMJHL:
LW Olivier Archambeault: 18 years old, 5’11”, 184 pounds. LH shot.
Junior Club: Drummondville Voltigeurs
8W, 10L, 1 OTL, 0 SOL - 14th of 17th overall in the QMJHL.
| Season Stats | 10GP | 6G | 3A | -10 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 2A | -1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 13GP | 6G | 5A | -11 | 4 PIM |
D Nathan Beaulieu: 18 years old, 6’3”, 191 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Saint John Sea Dogs – Alternate Captain
14W, 5L, 0 OTL, 0 SOL- 2nd of 17th overall in the QMJHL
| Season Stats | 13GP | 4G | 5A | +7 | 37 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | +5 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 15GP | 4G | 6A | +12 | 39 PIM |
C Michaël Bournival: 19 years old, 6’, 187 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: Shawinigan Cataractes – Team Captain
12W, 5L, 1 OTL, 2 SOL – 4th of 17th overall in the QMJHL.
| Season Stats | 7GP | 10G | 3A | +6 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 7GP | 10G | 3A | +6 | 2 PIM |
D Morgan Ellis: 19 years old, 6'2", 204 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles - Team Captain
8W, 11L, 0 OTL, 1 SOL – 15th of 17th overall in the QMJHL
| Season Stats | 13GP | 3G | 7A | -3 | 8 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 15GP | 4G | 7A | -2 | 8 PIM |
OHL:
D Jarred Tinordi: 19 years old, 6'7", 215 pounds, LH shot.
Junior Club: London Knights – Team Captain
13W, 2L, 0 OTL, 1 SOL – 1st of 20th overall in the OHL
| Season Stats | 6GP | 0G | 2A | +7 | 22 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 6GP | 0G | 2A | +7 | 22 PIM |
WHL:
D Darren Dietz: 18 years old, 6’1”, 195 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Saskatoon Blades – Alternate Captain
9W, 4L, 0 OTL, 1 SOL – 6th of 22nd overall in the WHL
| Season Stats | 12GP | 2G | 7A | +2 | 11 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | +5 | 6 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 14GP | 2G | 7A | +7 | 17 PIM |
RW Brendan Gallagher: 19 years old, 5'8", 175 pounds, RH shot.
Junior Club: Vancouver Giants – Alternate Captain
(8W, 7L, 0 OTL, 1 SOL – 13th of 22nd overall in the WHL)
| Season Stats | 9GP | 10G | 7A | +7 | 8 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 1G | 1A | -2 | 9 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 12GP | 11G | 8A | +5 | 17 PIM |
US College Hockey (NCAA) Report: The Canadiens have drafted a number of college players in recent years, these are generally ‘project players’ who benefit from additional years in lower level hockey to develop their skills.
D Mac Bennett: 20 years old, 6', 180 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: University of Michigan Wolverines
(6W, 1L, 1T)
| Season Stats | 6GP | 0G | 5A | +6 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 2A | +2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 0G | 7A | +8 | 2 PIM |
RW Danny Kristo: 21 years old, 5'11”, 188 pounds, RH shot.
NCAA Team: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux
(3W, 4L, 1T)
| Season Stats | 6GP | 4G | 7A | +6 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | -1 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 4G | 8A | +5 | 4 PIM |
C Mark MacMillan: 19 years old, 6’, 170 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux
(3W, 4L, 1T)
| Season Stats | 6GP | 1G | 2A | -3 | 4 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 1G | 0A | -3 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 2G | 2A | -6 | 4 PIM |
D Greg Pateryn: 21 years old, 6’3”, 222 pounds, RH shot.
NCAA Team: University of Michigan Wolverines
(6W, 1L, 1T)
| Season Stats | 6GP | 2G | 4A | +5 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 0A | +1 | 4 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 8GP | 2G | 4A | +6 | 6 PIM |
LW Steve Quailer: 21 years old, 6’4”, 200 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: Northeastern University Huskies
(1W, 4L, 1T)
| Season Stats | 3GP | 1G | 1A | -2 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 1GP | 0G | 1A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 4GP | 1G | 2A | -1 | 2 PIM |
C Dustin Walsh: 20 years old, 6’3”, 190 pounds, LH shot.
NCAA Team: Dartmouth College Big Green
(1W, 1L, 0T)
| Season Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 2A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 2GP | 0G | 2A | +2 | 2 PIM |
Czech Extraliga Report: The Extraliga is the top professional league in the Czech Reppublic. The First League is the league that plays under it.
C Daniel Pribyl: 18 years old, 6’3”, 190 pounds, RH shot.
Extraliga Team: HC Sparta Praha
10W, 3L, 4 OTL – 3rd of 14th overall in the league
| Season Stats | 10GP | 1G | 0A | -2 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 0GP | 0G | 0A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 10GP | 1G | 0A | -2 | 2 PIM |
Czech First League Team: HC Berountsi Medovi
(11W, 6L, 1 OTL – 6rd of 14th overall in the League)
| Season Stats | 3GP | 2G | 2A | +2 | 2 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 2GP | 0G | 1A | 0 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 5GP | 2G | 3A | +2 | 2 PIM |
Elitserien Report: The Swedish Elite League as it is the top professional league of Sweden.
D Magnus Nygren: 21 years old, 6’1”, 191 pounds, RH shot.
Elitserien Team: Farjestads BK
(7W, 5L, 5 OTL - 8th of 12 overall in the League)
| Season Stats | 14GP | 5G | 3A | -4 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 1A | -2 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 17GP | 5G | 4A | -6 | 0 PIM |
Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) Report: The Kontinental Hockey League is the professional hockey league of Russia, many Russian players first play professionally there before joining the NHL. Due to a lack of a comprehensive transfer agreement between the NHL and the KHL and favourable offers and tax rates to young Russian players, it can be very difficult for NHL clubs to attract their drafted Russian prospects.
RW Maxim Trunev: 20 years old, 5'11", 189 pounds, RH shot.
KHL Club: Severstal Cherepovets
9W, 5L, 1 OTL, 1 SOL – 9th of 23rd overall in the League
| Season Stats | 13GP | 3G | 1A | -2 | 0 PIM |
| Weekly Stats | 3GP | 0G | 1A | +1 | 0 PIM |
| Complete Stats | 16GP | 3G | 2A | -1 | 0 PIM |
