Habster:
I searched the internet high and low to find information on the players who are tryouts for the Canadiens upcoming development camp. I have posted some information from Hockey’s Future about goaltender Robert Mayer as well as the Testwuide brothers (Michael and Jon Paul).
Mayer is an interesting prospect who was highly thought of before joining the St. John Seadogs who drafted him in the first round (#3 overall) of the QMJHL’s import draft. The Swiss born Mayer was suppose to take over the Seadogs #1 goaltending duties but played poorly enough to have his overall NHL ranking go down. He went undrafted at this year’s NHL draft and will be trying to impress goaltending guru Rollie Melanson at this year’s development camp to get a longer look at the rookie camp. Mayer has good size (6’1″ 184lbs) and is considered a very athletic goalie who needs some work on his angles/positioning.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get much information about Alexandre Monahan other than he played in the QMJHL for Victoriaville and had 63 points in 70 games. He is listed as being 6’1 163 lbs and is 20 years old. He just recently was traded to Val-D’Or.
Another player I wasn’t able to get a lot of scouting information about was Erik Boisvert (son of former Hab and Maple Leaf Serge Boisvert) who played for Sacred Heart University. Boisvert had 32 points (G-11 A-21) in 38 games last season and is listed as being 5’9″ 175lbs.
Hockey’s Future:
Mike Testwuide, RW
Ht: 6’3 Wt: 216 Shot: R
DOB: 2/5/87 Vail, Colo.
Team: Waterloo Black Hawks
Mike Testwuide already has the body of a professional hockey player, he just needs to realize it. Testwuide played for Waterloo in 2004-05 and only put up two goals and eight assists in 46 games, but he had a bit of a breakthrough in his second USHL season. The 19-year-old right winger played for Team East at the USHL Prospects/All-Star Game and had 18 goals and 12 assists in 54 games in 2005-06. He also led the Black Hawks in plus/minus at +4, one of three who played at least a quarter of the season to finish with a plus rating.
Despite being 6’3, 216 pounds, Testwuide does not seem to realize exactly how powerful he is, even though he regularly overpowers opponents. He drives the net hard and his 18 goals prove he can capitalize on some of his chances. Testwuide doesn’t have elite skill or speed, but he’s a hardworking player who is difficult to play against and can lay out heavy hits along the boards. The Vail, Col., native will be able to develop the next four years at Colorado College, where he will begin playing this fall. Long term, he probably only has the upside to become a fourth liner in the NHL. A strong body along the walls and in front of the net still has a place in the NHL, and Testwuide may tempt some NHL teams in the late rounds. He’s only starting to reach his true potential.
Information on Jon Paul Testwuide from Hockey’s Future:
Jon Paul Testwuide and Tim Filangieri look to bring some fire to the defensive charge. “Jon Paul is a big guy, a physical guy. He has the ability to play the game,” O’Handley said. John Vadnais played in the USA National Development program last season and his skill should also make an impact.
Information on goaltender Robert Mayer from Hockey’s Future:
Robert Mayer, G – Saint John Sea Dogs
Height: 6’0; Weight: 184 lbs.; DOB: October 9th, 1989
A much-heralded prospect when the Saint John Sea Dogs selected him in the CHL Import Draft, Mayer did not live up to expectations in his first year of QMJHL hockey. Although he, as one scout noted, “might be the quickest goaltender in the Q”, Mayer struggled with consistency and control while playing in a platoon situation with veteran Travis Fullerton.
Previously starring in his native Switzerland, Mayer saw action in 32 games, posting a 16-11 record with a 3.77 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage. At times, it was noted that he tended to over-react to the shooter, taking himself out of the play and also some questions were raised about his mental state, where he appeared to get shaken after a quick goal.
Like Poulin before him, despite his flaws, Mayer’s athleticism makes most scouts feel he has a lot of upside. Though he needs to settle down between the pipes and get help with refining his positioning and technical game, Mayer could recapture the aura that had some thinking he would be among the top goaltenders in the draft.
Talent Analysis
Inconsistent between the pipes, Mayer shows flashes of greatness but follows it up with goaltending that is closer to resembling the famous cheese from his home country of Switzerland. An aggressive goaltender, Mayer comes out of his crease quickly to play the angle, but sometimes gets burned by his eagerness. With solid positioning and a great glove hand, Mayer has the potential to be much better then what he has shown so far.
Inconsistent between the pipes, Mayer shows flashes of greatness but follows it up with goaltending that is closer to resembling the famous cheese from his home country of Switzerland. An aggressive goaltender, Mayer comes out of his crease quickly to play the angle, but sometimes gets burned by his eagerness. With solid positioning and a great glove hand, Mayer has the potential to be much better then what he has shown so far.