Aurelien Moreau Scouting Report

[Frank 5,212]

Aurelien Moreau drafted 18th overall by the Missasauga Hounds.

 

Position: Defense

Birthplace: Gatineau, Quebec

Height/Weight: 6'8"/240lbs

Playing Style: Rugged stay at home defensemen.

Favourite VHL Player: Apollo Skye @Velevra

 

Aurelien Moreau is a notable prospect for the upcoming Season 77 VHL draft. His playing style is a bit under appreciated as the less modern stay at home defenseman in comparison to a smooth skating puck mover. After watching him in a handful of VHLM contests this season we feel comfortable releasing our scouting report on Moreau with both his strengths and weaknesses. As well as what we believe he could bring to the VHL team that selects him.

 

Pros+

Skating -

One of Moreau's most surprising skills is his skating ability. He moves quickly and effortlessly for such a big man. His skating is so strong that it actually assists him in a lot of other attributes like positioning and physicality. His quick feet allow him to exit the defensive zone with ease as well as keep coverage.

Defense/Physicality -

Aurelien is always the first man back and has a knack for boxing players out and keeping them to the outside. He hits to hurt and eliminate the opposition as we saw in the VHLM playoffs last season with a 3 game suspension. Many scouts compare his playing style to that of NHL defenseman Scott Stevens and how he defends the neutral zone.

Decision Making/Positioning - As mentioned previously his positioning in all three zones are sound. What has scouts thinking there may be more untapped potential is Moreau's decision making and first pass. As he is one of the best defenseman in the VHLM in zone exits and puck retrieval.

 

Cons-

Offensive Instincts - 

Although his first pass and zone exits are above average. Everything past the red line is replacement level. He's like the anti new age defenseman. Most scouts see him as far too conservative to be an impact player offensively. Tentative passing and poor puck skills at the blueline.

Discipline - 

His mean streak is an attractive quality to many scouts but it can hurt his team with untimely penalties or misconducts. Which is even more detrimental because the team is missing their best penalty killer and down a defensemen.

Offensive Zone Play -

So far in his short career his offensive zone play has been a detriment with poor decision making and slap shots off the end glass. If he can improve his play in the o-zone he will shoot up draft rankings.

 

 

Prospect Grade 7.5B, Aurelien Moreau projects as a 2nd pairing defensive defensemen.

 

We see Moreau as a complementary player who could solidify a pairing with a more offensive minded defenseman. If he wants to improve his game he'll need to work heavily on his offensive skills to be considered a top defensemen in the draft.