Claimed:Pierre Gaudette Rookie Profile

[Frank 5,058]

Season 53 Draft Rookie Profile

 

Pierre Gaudette - Center #19

6' 3" 210lbs

Born May 15th 1998

Quebec City, Canada

Gaudette playing for Victoriaville Tigers of the QMJHL

 

Hockey's Future Rating 9.0 B

 

Scout Quotes:

"Pierre Gaudette is a tough spirited two-way forward with excellent vision and playmaking ability.

He also has the size so he should be able to step right into the pro game after his first vHLM season."

- McKeens Scouting Profiles 2016

"Gaudette demonstrates a high hockey IQ which is evident in his 70 assists tallied in 72 QMJHL games last season. 

His shot is his main detriment at this point perhaps some seasoning in the VHLM would help."

- Bob McKenzie Pre Season Draft Rankings 2016

 

Play Style

Pierre Gaudette plays a precise and methodical two-way game. He is adept at finding teammates from his own zone and sniping an outlet pass from his own end, because of this his coach has referred to him as a center on defense.

On the power play he plays the half wall where he finds players open in the slot and creates space by passing the puck quickly with pin point precision. 

 

Pros +

Passing - As previously mentioned Pierre's strongest asset is his passing, more specifically his overall play making ability. The way he finds open teammates in traffic and his saucer passes are a thing of beauty. His no look passes are compared to Patrick Kane of the NHL. 

Skating - He won fastest skater at the 2015 QMJHL all star game. He is great at blowing by defenders with his smooth skating and shifty puck handling. Once he gains strength his skating should be one of his biggest assets and that should catch scouts eyes ahead of the Season 52 draft. Acceleration is his biggest strength as well as explosiveness. 

Defense - It's rare that young players have defense awareness but Gaudette reads the play so well that he's almost always in the right position. He is also a regular penalty killer and is relied heavily upon in defensive zone starts. He had the most d-zone starts of any forward in the QMJHL last season. 

 

Cons -

Scoring - Most scouts agree that his biggest weakness is his scoring, but the consensus is that once he gains strength his shot should improve. Unfortunately it appears his release will never be truly elite. Pierre scored 50% of his goals last season by deflecting the puck in. So his hand eye is not a detriment to his scoring ability but his accuracy and release are a huge question mark. 

Strength - Pierre had a late growth spurt so it's expected that his frame still needs filling out. He currently weighs 210lbs but stands almost 6' 4" tall. Whichever VHLM team drafts him will likely be giving him a strenuous off ice regimen. 

Face Offs - Another issue with his game is his face offs which again comes back to his strength. If Pierre wants to be a franchise center in the VHL he will need to start focus on this aspect or he'll see himself on the wing at the next level .He has already signed with Manny Malholtra to help him improve his overall technique ahead of the Season 52 campaign. 

 

Verdict

Pierre Gaudette's most important work will come off the ice. If he can hit the weight room and improve his shot then the sky is the limit. We project Pierre Gaudette as a future number 1 centerman in the VHL with the potential of being a franchise center. 

 

[Jericho 917]

Claimed