Scouting Report - Bouchard, Pierre Emile Saskatoon Wild Defender

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If you don`t want to read the image the report reads as follows:

 

Season 84 VHL Draft

Pierre Emile Bouchard

Saskatoon Wild (VHLM)

 

 

 

 

The VHCS Draft Analyst Ranking:

 

Pre                   Mar15^th          Mar22^nd          Mar 28^th          Apr 4^th           

NR                   9^th                       7^th                  7^th                   8^th

 

 

From a mistake at the draft deadline that seen the player actually rated as a season eight-three draft pick in his first week to a steady consensus top ten selection is incredible for a young defender that comes with high family pedigree. Bouchard isn`t the top defender in the class as the draft is loaded with two-way defenseman. Bouchard has to do more separate himself from the rest of the defenders.

 

 

Profile

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Height / Weight: 6`4, 235 lbs

Born: Montreal, Canada

 

 

Regular Season:

 

 

Season                         Team                                       GP          G            A          Pts       Shots      PPG  

Season 80        Halifax Olands (MJHL)             72        27        42        69         174         8

Season 81        Halifax Olands (MJHL)             72        36        72        108       348        16

Season 82        Saskatoon Wild (VHLM)          14        0          8            8           18          0

 

 

Scouting Report

 

 

Season Review:

Bouchard was paired with B-SSK D10 for most of the season after finishing his junior career in Halifax with the Olands. Making one wonder why his draft ranking hasn`t improved that much after a very strong playoff performance proved he is a big game performer. Bouchard struggled after signing in the VHLM with the Saskatoon Wild and seemed to lack overall confidence. Playoff was night and day as Bouchard put up an impressive 0.947 points per game average compared to his regular season of 0.567. In the end he played a large role with the Saskatoon Wild and was a main reason the team overcame the favorites Houston Bulls in the Finals to hoist the Founder`s Cup.     

 

 

Skating & Stick-handling:

Bouchard is an effective puck handler with a great sense of poise as intense pressure or a physical forecheck never seems to faze him. Bouchard does need to improve his overall skating as a big defender. The fact that he is 6`4 adds additional problems to opponents trying to knock him off the puck but the truth is Bouchard can be clumsy and limbs flailing while motoring up the ice at top speed. He needs to make his movements more fluid and effortless while developing a first step in any direction that can catch opponents by surprise. Bouchard does shock some with his exceptional balance as he has ability to dish or receive checks well.   

 

 

Shooting, Passing & Playmaking

Currently consider an offensive defenseman, Bouchard has a tendency to look pass first with a strong first pass leaving the defensive zone. The timing and precision of Bouchard passes are on point. While he doesn`t possess a heavy shot he does have a knack for getting his shots through to the net and even when missing the net, you get the sense that those shots were not intended to score but rather to create disarray around the net.

 

 

Defense & Physicality

Bouchard`s impact in the defensive zone is driven by his smarts and impacted by his size. He already has a reputation of a defender that won`t been beaten inside or outside without a serious fight. Bouchard isn`t an open-ice hitter but finishes checks well due to his strength and balance.

 

 

VHL Projection

Top-Pair defenseman for all situations. More a two-way defender then show case currently

Edited April 5, 2022 by Gaikoku-hito