Trying to stay relevant while playing alongside what many believe will be the prize of the 2013 NHL Draft is not an easy task, but Jonathan Drouin is doing just that.
The Halifax Moosehead center has had a white-hot start to the 2012-13 season, scoring five goals for 15 points in just seven games. His two-point per-game pace shouldn’t come as a surprise however, as Drouin finished off last season equally hot, potting in nine goals and 26 points in 17 playoff games for the Mooseheads.
Needless to say, the Ste Agathe, QC product has some serious skill.
Drouin boasts an elite pair of hands and has the ability to make plays in close quarters. Those attributes in combination with great vision make him a force to be reckoned with on the ice. He’s a smooth skater and is not afraid to get creative in both the offensive and defensive zone.
Drouin’s explosive offensive prowess has caught the eye of Future Considerations’ QMJHL scout Matt Lafortune.
“Drouin is a very smart player that is dangerously creative in the offensive zone,” Lafortune said. “He displays high-end vision, often finding open linemates in scoring areas. His passing ability is very impressive, and makes him always dangerous.”
Besides standing at a diminutive five-foot-11 and weighing in at a slim 176-pounds, Drouin also needs to work on his play on the defensive side of the puck. Like most young offensively gifted players, Drouin has been guilty of neglecting his defensive responsibility in an effort to try and create scoring chances.
“He’s a player that is never afraid of being creative in the offensive zone, although sometimes it ends up hurting his own team,” Lafortune said. “He’s still a very slight player and needs to bulk up to avoid being overpowered by bigger, stronger defenders.”
But in the case of Drouin, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives which is why he’s 19th in Future Considerations September ranking for the 2013 NHL Draft.
And with his quick start, Drouin is anything but irrelevant.