Bourgault training with NHL players paying off ahead of 2021 Draft
Shawinigan forward worked on winning battles; high school defenseman Peart among standouts
Xavier Bourgault spent the past four offseasons training with many of the most skilled players in the business and is reaping the benefits in his third season with Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
"I live in (L'Islet) Quebec, but in the summer train in Montreal for 2-3 months with my skating coach, skills coach, trainer and some NHL players," Bourgault said. "I skate at least three times a week, sometimes four, at the rink at Hockey Etcetera, working on my explosion, getting stronger on my feet to win more battles."
There, the 18-year-old forward (6-foot, 172 pounds) has an opportunity to skate with New York Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier, St. Louis Blues defenseman Marco Scandella, Vegas Golden Knights forward William Carrier, Philadelphia Flyers forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Kris Letang and Mike Matheson, who also train at the rink.
"They're all humble and talk about their experience, so it's very fun to learn how they live," Bourgault said. "They're in the NHL, so it's good to be with those guys."
Bourgault, an A rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's players to watch list for the 2021 NHL Draft, could one day join his friends in the NHL. The projected first-round pick has scored 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists), five power-play goals and three game-winning goals in 20 games this season. He scored 71 points (33 goals, 38 assists), eight power-play goals and six game-winning goals in 63 games last season.
"He has a sixth sense around the net, a very quick release like an old-school type player," Shawinigan coach Ron Choules said. "His biggest asset is when he's shooting. He seems to always change the angle of his blade when he's shooting so it's sort of confuses the goalies."
Bourgault is in his third QMJHL season after improving his shot while training.
"I'm good in smaller areas and have worked on changing the angle of my wrist shot when I shoot, and it's coming off faster," he said.
Bourgault is No. 22 on
NHL.com's list of the top 32 prospects
for the 2021 draft.
"I like how he processes the game, has an act of finding the open spots and has an elite scoring touch," NHL Central Scouting's Jean-Francois Damphousse said. "He thinks fast, executes fast and has a good combination of speed and agility."
Bourgault, who can play wing or center, is playing left wing with center Mavrik Bourque (Dallas Stars) and Olivier Nadeau (6-2, 204), a C rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's PTW list.
"I think he's more comfortable playing right wing, but we have him playing left wing and always have it in our back pocket knowing he can play right or center; he's very versatile like that," Choules said. "I also have him in the bumper position on the power play because he's got a quick release and is smart.
"If you watch him, he's like (Toronto Maple Leafs forward) William Nylander to a T."
PROSPECTS ON THE RADAR (listed alphabetically):
Brennan Othmann (5-11, 170), LW, Flint (OHL): The 18-year-old, a B rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's players to watch list, has scored 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 32 games on loan with EHC Olten in Switzerland. He scored 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 55 games as a rookie with Flint in 2019-20.
"A good two-way player who wants to be a difference-maker," NHL Central Scouting's Joey Tenute said. "He's got very good puck skills and offensive ability and is an opportunistic player who makes himself available in dangerous scoring areas and can put the puck in the net without hesitation if he gets a chance."
Jakub Brabenec (6-1, 175), C, Brno (CZE):The 17-year-old B-rated skater was set to play for Charlottetown of the QMJHL but he's in the Czech Republic due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. He has one assist and is plus-2 in 23 games.
"He has good size, is a strong skater with speed, balance and very good mobility ... he never stops skating," said NHL director of European scouting Goran Stubb.
Mason McTavish (6-0, 198), C, Peterborough (OHL):An A rated skater, McTavish joined Othmann on loan with EHC Olten in Switzerland and has scored eight points (six goals, two assists) in 11 games. The 18-year-old scored 42 points (29 goals, 13 assists) in 57 games as a rookie for Peterborough last season.
"He's a good puck-possession player with great puck protection and goes to the tough areas of the ice," Tenute said. "He's calm and confident with the puck, has very good vision and puck distribution ability, and is a presence on the power play."
Jack Peart (5-11, 181), D, Fargo (USHL):Committed to St. Cloud State University in 2021-22, the 17-year-old has scored 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 11 games for Grand Rapids High School in Minnesota. The B-rated skater will return to Fargo after the high school season. He had 11 assists and was plus-6 in 16 games for Fargo earlier this season.
"He's a smallish offensive-defenseman, but ultra-quick and elusive with and without puck," NHL Central Scouting's Greg Rajanen said. "He can get the puck out by skating or with a pass, waits for screens and looks for deflections in front of the net on his shots."
