Entering their fourth season, the Sherbrooke Phoenix have gone from expansion doormat to a club to watch. The team is trending upwards, finishing eighth overall last season after a last place finish in 2013–14, thanks in large part to smart drafting.
Prediction
First in the West Division. Promising goaltending, one of the league’s best bluelines and multiple dynamic offensive weapons make Sherbrooke a President Cup contender.
Forwards
The first ever pick by the Phoenix, Montreal Canadiens prospect Daniel Audette, returns for his fourth and final junior season. He’s seen his goal total rise each season, finishing with 29 last year. Set-up machine Kay Schweri is back after a 56-assist, 68-point season. The Swiss import was passed over in the NHL draft, but could be a late bloomer if he can add a physical dimension to his playmaking game.
The QMJHL draft hosts were busy on draft day, acquiring Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Julien Pelletier from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and 20-year-old Guillaume Gauthier from the Québec Remparts. Gauthier brings experience after a busy spring playing in the President Cup Final and Memorial Cup. The trades are an indication the franchise is in win-now mode.
The 31st pick of the Import draft, Czech winger Jan Dufek, joins the team after a 34-point season with HC Kometo Brno’s under-20 team. He should step in and provide secondary scoring right away.
Jan Dufek to Sherbrooke 31st overall. Centerman, two-way player. went undrafted at last weekend NHL draft.
— Jérôme Bérubé (@Jerome_Berube) June 30, 2015
Defence
Three NHL prospects lead one of the strongest bluelines in the Q, anchored by Jérémy Roy. The 31st-overall pick by the San Jose Sharks in June, the intelligent and smooth-skating Roy quarterbacks the power play and could lead all D-men scoring this season. The Sharks also nabbed Alexis Vanier with the 102nd pick after he went undrafted the season before. The 6-foot-5, 227-pounder has size and unpolished offensive potential.
Congrats to my bro Jeremy Roy on signing his first deal with the Sharks! Many more to come! #sherbz
— Carl Neill (@cneill_32) September 13, 2015
Carl Neill went to the Vancouver Canucks 144th overall after a 14-goal third season. His breakout camp[aign came after an off-season heart procedure that kept him out of Calgary Flames prospect camp that summer.
Goaltending
Sherbrooke started last season patiently with Evan Fitzpatrick, the fourth-overall pick of the 2014 QMJHL draft. He started 12 games before Christmas in a backup role, but was handed the keys to the No.1 job after Christmas. He ran away with it in January, nabbing CHL goaltender of the week honours in the process, but looked like an inexperienced rookie late in the season. He should take a step forward as the team’s undisputed starter. He’s backed by Alexandre Lagacé who split time in Baie-Comeau and Acadie-Bathurst last year.
NHL prospect watch
Jérémy Roy, D, San Jose Sharks (2015, 31st overall)
San Jose traded up to grab Roy with the first pick of the second round after he was surprisingly went undrafted on Day 1. He put up 44 points in a season limited to 46 games because of injuries. Those totals should go up this year thanks to his elite skill. His ticket to success at the next level will be finesse as he isn’t particularly big.
NHL Draft watch
Thomas Grégoire, D
The 16th-overall pick of the 2014 Q draft, had 10 points, 40 PIM and finished plus-12 as a rookie. He’s buried on the depth chart behind a number of veterans meaning we haven’t seen the best of him, and may not for another season. Grégoire hopes to follow in the footsteps of older brother Jérémy, a prospect in the Montreal Candiens system.