Tuesday 20 November 2012

Interview with Anthony Mantha

Anthony Mantha brings all the physical traits a scout can ask for: size, smooth, coordinated skating and strength. You could group Mantha in with a few other names like Alexsander Barkov and Seth Jones whose freakish athleticism would see them suceed in almost any sport. Athleticism is not all Mantha brings to the table however - an innate ability to read the play from the perimeter, soft hands and an elite shot have helped Mantha cement his status as a 1st round talent early in his draft year.

Some things Mantha needs to work on are his compete level without the puck, which is an issue on the backcheck and his physicality. When a player with a big strong frame like Mantha doesn't use his size on the boards consistently it raises a red flag.

However, Mantha has been one of the dark horses leading the scoring race this year in the QMJHL, very few followers could have predicted his name at #5 in QMJHL scoring (tied for goal scoring lead) 25 games in. Mantha has gone from a disappointing 3 goal scorer through his first half of last season to scoring goals at a frantic pace, with 64 points (35-29) in his last 36 games played, split between the end of last year and the start of this year.

I spoke to Anthony after Sundays game in Halifax, and here is what he had to say.

Whats your biggest focus heading into your draft year?

I'm aiming for 90-100 points and I'd love to be invited to the U-20 camp in December.

What are your strengths and one thing you need to work on?

My biggest strengths are my vision and my shot. I'm definitely trying to work on my competitiveness, like battling harder on a consistent basis.

What do you think of playing on a smaller market team like Val d'Or?

It doesn't change much. Talent is spread all across the league, but it takes off a little off-ice pressure.

Whats something an average fan wouldn't know about you off the ice?

I'm a big fan of golf, I do it alot in the off-season.

Best of luck in your draft year Anthony!

Mr. Steady - Matt Murphy


When you watch the Val d'Or Foreurs, a team with several marquee names, Matt Murphy isn't likely jump out at you as a fan.

The Foreurs 5th overall selection in the 2011 QMJHL draft plays a quiet, steady game that can be relied upon in any situation. Coach Mario Durocher does just that, giving Murphy 2nd power play and 1st penalty kill minutes. Murphys style of play may not leave fans in awe, but NHL scouts appreciate his poise and puck-movement. One part of the game Murphy is trying to improve is his offense, something he didn't show as often as he would like last year as a 16 year old, with 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 61 games. Through 24 games this season, Murphy has already reached last years point totals with a goal and 15 assists and is a +5 compared to last seasons -15.

Murphy shares duties on the Foreurs back end with more experienced defensemen Artyom Sergeev, Jérémie Fraser, Julien Leduc and Guillaume Gélinas and has had to earn the 2nd pairing minutes he receives. My personal take on Murphy when watching him he does all the little things a defenseman needs to do right to keep him on a coaches good side: taking a hit to dish the puck out of trouble, making quick reads on the breakout and being a step ahead defensively to interrupt the opposing teams possession. He has a fluid stride that can keep up with the fastest forwards the QMJHL has to offer, and isn't afraid to get physical on the boards.

I had the chance to speak to Matt Murphy after Sunday Afternoons 4-3 loss to the Mooseheads, and here is what he had to say.

RE: What is your biggest personal focus to start this year, where you're eligible to be drafted?

MM: I'm really trying focus on not paying to much attention to it all, I'm just trying to keep things simple.

Describe yourself as a player to someone who has never seen you play.

I keep things simple, I'm a two-way defenseman but I focus more on defense. Offence is definitely something I'm trying to bring more of this year. I've got good vision with the puck and my skating is a strength. I think I play a steady all-around game.

How do feel about playing for a smaller market team like Val d'Or? Do you think that it brings any advantages to you personally?

It's good. It keeps you more focused off the ice because sometimes it's easy to get distracted in bigger cities.

TSR wishes you the best of luck in your draft year Matt!