Who Are These Guys? Habs’ Targets

• Rychel had his second consecutive 40+ goal season for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires in 2012-13, finishing seventh in the OHL in that category and the Spitfires’ leader in points. A teammate of Canadiens’ prospect Brady Vail, he also has international experience, notably as an assistant-captain for a bronze-medal winning Under-18 squad.

• Rychel is considered to be a power forward, using his physicality and natural scoring abilities to make his mark. He is willing to go the extra mile for his team, whether it be with a needed goal or with fisticuffs. A knock against him is his skating, but his ability to adapt to whatever role is attributed to him will still make a good late first-round (or early second-round) pick of him.

• Kerby is the son of former NHLer Warren Rychel. Warren is a part-owner and general manager of the Windsor Spitfires.
• He has dual citizenship, but opts to play for Team Canada. He is among the invitees to Hockey Canada summer camp announced just Friday.

• He was the the youngest Spitfire since Taylor Hall to score 40 goals in a season, in 2011-12.
• There was a little controversy involving how he got to become a Spitfire in the first place.
• On his bloodlines: “Some people will nitpick at my game since they know who my dad is. But I don’t play like him. I work hard like him, but I’m not a fighter. I’m more of a goal scorer and penalty killer.” [1]
• He tries to model his game after Ryane Clowe, a good “in your face guy.”

“The reviews are mixed as far as NHL scouts I spoke to regarding Kerby. Some have him in the mid twenty’s while others see him as a 2^ndrounder. I saw Kerby less this year than last year but I think I have a good feel for his game. His skating would be his weakness. When Kerby is on, he is very good. He is best when he mixes in physical play and goes to the dirty areas. Kerby’s best asset has to be his shot, he’s not a guy who is going to blow you away with fancy stick skills. He’s a meat and potatoes goal scorer who gets his points from being in position to use his shot. I’m interested to watch draft day to see where he comes off the board.”

Photo: WHL

• Bowey played his second full season for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets this season, putting up 30 points. He also won gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the most recent edition of the Under-18s.

• Coming from the same Rockets as a certain Josh Gorges reveals some comparisons between the two. Overall he is an effective blueliner who has a bit to improve in terms of defensive reliability and decision-making, but whose physicality and willingness to involve himself in the less-desirable areas of the rink make him a solid pick.

• His brother also got drafted by the Kelowna Rockets in the most recent edition of the WHL draft.

• He is a former baseball player, having played at the pitcher, catcher and centerfield positions.
• He participated in the NHL Draft Combine as well as the one hosted by the Buffalo Sabres.
• “The Bruins asked me what my favourite animal was, so that was a little different than the others,” Bowey said with a laugh. “But right away, I said ‘a bear’. I was all over that one, so I think that (interview) went pretty well.” [2]
• Jarome Iginla is his favourite NHLer.

“We have had Bowey ranked very high for many months. I love this kid’s upside. His skating is high end, and at least one NHL scout I spoke to called his skating the best among the defenseman in this draft. Although he has the odd brain cramp, I think Bowey did himself some good as far as his draft ranking goes with his play in Sochi at the U18. I just wanted him to solidify my feeling on his game and he did. He has powerplay upside and his skating allows him to have a high ceiling as far as NHL potential goes.”

Photo: Leksands

• Captain of the Under-18s and member of the Under-20 World Junior squad for Team Sweden, De La Rose spent this season playing for Leksand in Allsvenskan, leading all junior players on that team with 12 points.

• At such a young age, his ability to compete with seasoned veterans is a major plus. His leadership qualities complement his skill and intensity level. While his numbers don’t say a lot, he plays more of a two-way game that will improve over time and make him a valuable asset.

• He was ranked seventh by CSS in terms of European skaters in the final rankings.

• He was slated to attend Toronto and New Jersey’s mini-combines.
• Apparently, the only real area he has difficulty with is the Movember spectrum of things.

“He has fallen a bit for draft stock wise. I really liked what I saw of him in Brno last season in a limited role and I went into this season wanting to his see his top six upside for the NHL level. I obviously didn’t see as much of him as some North American players, but I felt like I saw enough to have doubts about his top six scoring ability.”

Photo: OHL

• Moutrey played for the Saginaw Spirit this season and finished sixth in team scoring. Saginaw played only four playoff games this season, but he also racked up 12 PIM over that span.

• Another physical player, Moutrey’s situated more in the “great potential” category. His size currently tells most of the story. He needs to play his physical brand of hockey night in and night out to be most effective.

• Simon calls him a Milan Lucic-type player.

• He works out with former Canadien Aaron Downey, which suddenly explains a lot.
• Yes, actually, potato farms ARE apparently involved.
• He tries to model his game after Shane Doan.
• One of his former teammates is recent Stanley Cup winner Brandon Saad.

“One of our potential sleepers and a favourite of our Sarnia-based scout, Ryan Yessie. When Moutrey plays big, he is an impressive player. He needs to play big more consistently.”

Photo: Rimouski Oceanic

• Desrosiers impressed many while playing for a very solid Rimouski club this year, this being his rookie season. He also won gold with Team Canada at the Under-18 level, going undefeated with a 0.80 goals against average and 0.970 save percentage in the process.

• A calm netminder with sharp reflexes whose speed is surprising given his size. Has a skill that even Patrick Roy couldn’t master effectively: puck-handling.

• He was the recipient of the Raymond-Lagacé award, given to the year’s best defensive rookie. He was also named to the all-rookie team in the QMJHL.
• All sorts of rave reviews about that Under-18 tournament performance.
• He was one of the Canadiens’ combine invitees as well as one of the goaltenders participating in Hockey Canada’s Under-20 goalie camp.

• He is a Canadiens’ and Carey Price fan. (Always a good start.)
• His brother was recently named to the Under-16 Team Canada basketball team.
• He was added to Team Orr at the Top Prospects Game in relief of Eric Comrie of the Tri-City Americans, and shared a shutout with Spencer Martin in the 3-0 victory over Team Cherry.

“This kid impressed me and many others in Sochi at the U18. I had seen him earlier this season in Q action and he had weak outings in league games. I spoke with him at the NHL combine and joked with him about his ability to play the puck. His skills are excellent but I joked with him that his decision making playing the puck could stand to improve a bit.”