Halifax Mooseheads
2011-2012 Record - 68G-39W-22L-7OT-85P
Drouin-Mackinnon-Fournier
Frk-Boudreau-Ashley
Ryan-Andrews-Ciampini
LacroixCourville-Falkenham-Alcade
Davis/Mullaly
Abeltshauser-Lewis
Gillard-Duke
Hardie-Weegar
Lovell/Desmond
Fucale
Terenzio
Powerplay -
Frk-Mackinnon-Fournier
Abeltshauser-Drouin
Penalty Kill
Andrews-Falkenham
Lewis-Gillard
Top 5 Scorers 2011-2012
Mackinnon 58G-31g-47a-78p
Grenier 64G-25g-39a-64p
Boudreau 67G-26g-30a-56p
Ashley 62G-23g-32a-55p
Critchlow 68G-21g-29a-50p
Euros - Martin Frk and Konrad Abeltshauser
Overagers - Konrad Abeltshauser, Stefan Fournier and Steve Gillard
Additions - Stefan Fournier
Losses - Alexandre Grenier, Cameron Critchlow, Brad Cuzner, Travis Randell, Sawyer Hannay and Alexandre Côté
The Halifax Mooseheads walk in to this season as the one of the top teams in the QMJHL. Last year they turned heads with a core consisting of mostly 16 and 17 year olds carrying a dynamic offence, and with all of their scorers turning a year older, there are big expectations in Halifax this year.
The Mooseheads had a quiet off-season, acquiring overager Stefan Fournier for a fair of picks in this springs draft, and turning several heads with their draft. At the draft the Mooseheads, who were expected to trade their 1st pick for immediate help, kept their pick and selected Jack Eichel 15th overall. Eichel is a Boston University bound player who wasn't expected to be picked early because of his stated commitment to the US under-17 development program next year. However, the Mooseheads took a flyer on Eichel because GM Cam Russell called him "the best player in the draft" and would have made an impact similar to rookies Jonathan Drouin and Nathan Mackinnon did this year. Eichel has recently decided to turn down the Mooseheads this year to honour his commitment to the U-17 program and keep his NCAA eligibility. After Eichel however, the Moose continued to add depth at the draft, picking up two potential checking line players for this year in Liam Alcade and and Jonathan Lacroix-Courville then making 5 out their next 6 selections from the Maritimes to restock the system.
The Mooseheads head into this year loaded with talent at the forward position, with 9 forwards who could play top-6 minutes on most teams in the QMJHL. The Drouin-Mackinnon-Fournier line expected to be iced will be amongst the top first lines in the league, and the 2nd line of Frk-Boudreau-Ashley should not have a problem putting up points either. The checking line of Ryan-Andrews-Ciampini has excellent match-up potential against other teams scoring lines, and the fourth line will provide some solid energy and grit. The Mooseheads will have no difficulty scoring, but don't be surprised if they acquire another penalty-killing, experienced energy forward to fill in the losses of Cam Critchlow and Travis Randell.
On defence, the Mooseheads received a huge boost this season when news broke that overager Konrad Abeltshauser will only turn pro with San Jose if he makes their team, he will not be put in the AHL. This means there an excellent chance the Mooseheads' best defenceman will be back this year. The Moose also have 3 more solid defencemen in their top four in Trey Lewis, Steve Gillard and Brendan Duke. Their defence will likely be rounded out by Austyn Hardie and Ontario midget standouts Mackenzie Weegar and Brian Lovell. I think the Mooseheads defence is solid enough that they are unlikely to be in the market for defencemen at the Christmas deadline.
In nets, the Mooseheads boast one of the top goaltenders in the QMJHL from last year, 17 year old Zach Fucale. Fucale shocked the QMJHL last year when starting goalie Anthony Terenzio went down by playing lights out for a 16 year old, boasting a 32-18-6 record with a 3.16 GAA and .892 SV%. Fucale broke the QMJHL record for wins by a 16 year old in a season while impressing scouts with his consistency. It is hard to see Fucale not starting this year, even with former starter Anthony Terenzio finally back in the line-up after missing the bulk of last year with a concussion. Even if Fucale stumbles in his sophomore campaign, Terenzio remains a Q caliber starting goaltender eager to prove himself.
Though the Mooseheads have all the talent a team could ask for at their disposal, they have lost quite a bit of locker room presence over the off-season with overagers Travis Randell and Cameron Critchlow. They also boast a few important players heading into their second "sophomore slump" season. So while expectations are high, it is important that veterans like Steve Gillard, Trey Lewis and Brent Andrews show strong leadership to keep the Mooseheads in top form this year.
Burning question - How will Nathan Mackinnon, Jonathan Drouin and Zach Fucale follow up their incredible rookie campaigns?
Prediction - 1st in Maritime division, 2nd in QMJHL
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