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Jonathan Huberdeau
Jonathan Huberdeau {David Connell/ QMJHL Site}
Born: Toronto, ON
DOB: June 4, 1993
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 171
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2011
One-Timer
Leading his Saint John Sea Dogs to the top of the QMJHL standings, scouts have taken notice of the crafty center from Quebec. Once considered the playground of Couturier, Huberdeau has risen through the rankings with relative ease. With the premium placed on teams building down the middle, Huberdeau could see his stock rise even further than expected.
After seeing the likes of current Calder candidate, Jeff Skinner, taken off the board and step right into the NHL with relative ease, seeing the likes of Huberdeau taken within the Top 10 wouldn’t shock many. The creative center has shown flashes of high end offensive potential as both a playmaker and a finisher; a deadly combination.
Though time for him to fill out his lanky frame, Huberdeau has enviable height for a top end center.
With the likes of Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Ryan Strome and Sean Couturier expected to go in the Top 5, look for Huberdeau to be amongst this top group of skilled centers.
Top Prospects Game: Scored a goal and an assist in a 7-1 win for Team Orr. Was also named an alternate captain prior to the game.
Statistics: 67 GP – 43 G – 62 A
Scout’s Honor:
“He’s the type of player who can change the outcome of a game suddenly and quickly,” Bordeleau told NHL.com. “He’s displayed unbelievably quick hands and an ability to set up and score goals. He definitely has NHL hands and playmaking ability.”
“Once he puts on 10 or 15 pounds, he should be awesome,” Bordeleau said. “He’s also gritty and does not back down when challenged. As far as I’m concerned, he’s as good as the top three guys (on Central Scouting’s list) ahead of him (No. 1 Gabriel Landeskog, No. 2 Sean Couturier, No. 3 Nugent-Hopkins). It’ll be interesting to see where he finishes up at the final meeting. Jonathan is in his first full year in the league and Couturier is in his third.” (NHL.com)
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“Without the work of this fluid, imaginative playmaker, there’s no way (Zack) Phillips would be second in the Q in goals scored.”- Red Line Report, December 2010
Bio/Interview(s)/Link(s):
- · NHL.Com –Huberdeau skating to top of 2011 Draft rankings
- · The Good Point – Draft Stock on the Rise
International Tournaments
- Played for Team Quebec at the 2009-10 Under 17’s
- Won a gold medal with Team Canada at the August Ivan Hlinka Tourney
ETA = 2 yrs
Risk-Reward Analysis:
Risk = 1.5/5 Reward = 4.0/5
NHL Potential:
Number One Offensive Centerman
Strengths:
*See “One Timer” section above.
- Excellent hands, with a long reach
- Adept passer
- Creative with the puck, soft hands around the net
- High end vision
- Accurate, heavy shot
- Leader
- Good skater
Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:
- Needs to bulk up and get stronger for along the boards
- Defense is a work in process, though he shows the abilities
Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 8/10 Defensive = 6.5/10
NHL Player(s) Comparison:
– At his best:
- Jonathan Toews
- Pavel Datsyuk
- Jeff Carter
Video(s):
Off The Iron (Interesting Notes):
- Speaks English well, should make for easier transition
THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph
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