Aurelien Moreau Junior Review

[Frank 4,779]

Aurelien Moreau playing tor the Kitchener Rangers.

 

Aurelien Moreau Junior Review

 

-Minor Midget-

Moreau started playing for the Toronto Marlboros of Midget AAA when he was 15 years old. He was relatively unknown at this stage. He had only began playing hockey at the age of 12. But his skating already impressed his youth coaches. "Aure is a bit of a raw talent he is already really big for his age and has a lot of tools you wouldn't expect someone that size to possess." Coach Moore of the Marlboros stated ahead of the OHL draft. During his time playing for the Marlboros, Moreau amassed 350 PIMs over two seasons (42 games) and an impressive +50 rating. But only 10 points over that span. Those numbers would be enough to catch the eye of OHL scouts.

 

-OHL-

Moreau would be drafted 48th overall by the Kitchener Rangers. Rangers head of scouting had this to say "We like the size and compete this kid brings everyday we also see huge upside for Moreau at both ends of the ice". Moreau started slow in the OHL adjusting to the pace more structured coaching. In his first 10 games with the Rangers, Moreau was a -10 with 0s across the board. It wasn't until after the Christmas break that Moreau began to show his potential. After his first 10 games he would go on to finish the regular season a plus 22 with 10 points, all assists. As well as an astonishing 304 hits. This would allow him to catch lightning in a bottle with a physically dominating playoff performance. Helping the Rangers reach the Conference finals where they would be eliminated in seven games by the London Knights. VHLM scouts began to notice Moreau and his defensive acumen.

 

-VHLM-

After witnessing his first and only OHL season and playoffs. The Halifax 21st took a flyer on Aurelien and signed him to a professional try-out. He would play 3 games for Halifax. In those 3 games, the raw tools were evident with how he used his size to defend and his skating to exit the d-zone with ease. The Missasauga Hounds saw enough upside that they decided to select him early in the draft 18th overall. To date Aurelien has played 25 games posting a 4th best hits total with 108. As well as 55 shot blocks. But most surprisingly 18 points as his offensive game is one of his glaring weaknesses. The advanced data shows Moreau is above replacement level in his own end. But that his point totals don't reflect how inept he has been on offense.

 

-S77 VHL Draft-

As Aurelien Moreau tries to build his stock for the upcoming draft, most draft pundits see him as a reliable defensive defensemen. But they project him as a 2nd rounder due to the high floor and low ceiling of this player.