Aurelien Moreau Rookie Experience

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Aurelien Moreau Rookie Experience

 

Aurelien Moreau (center) after loss in bronze medal game to team world. 

 

Graduating to the VHL in Season 77

After a disappointing WJC tournament for team Canada, Moreau is looking to help Helsinki in Season 77. Posting a meager 2 assists in 10 games after vowing to improve offensively this off season. I think you can easily say the tournament was a disappointment for Moreau and his team. Not even being able to win a medal which most pundits thought they would. Helsinki Titans general manager Julian Borwinn has set expectations high for the team in Season 77. A team with championship aspirations can not rely on sheltering Moreau in his rookie season. Moreau knows there are high expectations going into the season and that he'll be expected to provide a steady defensive presence as well as chip in offensively. Most scouts thought he would need another season in the VHLM to truly develop his all around game after posting a putrid -38 in Missassauga, despite showing flashes of offensive potential. Playing regular minutes in the VHL this season will be a big ask of Moreau, but we believe with the improved work ethic we've seen this off season that a lot of people will be surprised with his play. 

Expectations for the Rookie

As we previously stated expectations will be high for Helsinki in Season 77, as well as Moreau. The team believes they got a steal with Aurelien at 9th overall. His huge frame and willingness to use his size to defend had teams drooling at the draft. The fact he has improved his shot this off season makes expectations that much higher. Even with a poor showing at the World Juniors most fans and pundits a like believe Moreau will be one of the top rookies of his class. Whispers around the team about expectations being 40 points and a high number of hits and shot blocks for Moreau this season. His playing time will likely be determined on how capable he is at defending opposing forwards in the best league in the world. As we said expectations will be high but a down season will not be cause for concern as Helsinki knows best that defenseman do take time to reach their potential. 

 

Reservations/Concerns

The biggest reservation with Moreau's promotion is that he may have trouble developing his overall game in the VHL. Though the team believes his size will allow him to do that, that is a hasty conclusion. Based on stat watching only Moreau's -38 as stated previously is a glaring concern, even though he played on a poor Missassauga Hounds team. Scouts who watched him play also question his hockey sense as there were many questionable penaltys taken by Moreau throughout the season. The biggest concern will be whether Moreau can handle the fast pace of the VHL and adjust his game accordingly, in a league where the players are faster, stronger and more skilled than the VHLM.