#3 Top Prospect: Patrick Guay, when hockey is everything
There are families where talent just seems to be hereditary. That appears to be the case for the Guay family from Magog. Dad, Francois, was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, the oldest son Nicolas is the current captain of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, sister Alexie is about to begin play in Division I of the NCAA and little brother Patrick is now the No. 3 prospect heading into the 2018 QMJHL Draft.
Hockey is clearly in their DNA.
“After his years spent in Laval, my dad played for the Sabres’ farm team for three years before continuing his career in Europe. He then spent 13 years playing there. He coached me until I was in pee-wee. He pushed me hard because he knew that playing hockey was what I wanted to do with my life. He then let my next coaches take over but he was always there to give me good advice. Even today, we train together in the summer,” explains Patrick who suited up for the Magog Cantonniers last season.
The 5-foot-8, 154-pound forward scored 34 goals and added 30 assists in only 39 games this past season.
“Patrick is a natural born goal scorer! He’s got a very good shot, but it’s his skills handling the puck and his vision that allows him to find and set up his teammates. He may be smaller, but that doesn’t affect his game as he doesn’t shy away from getting his nose dirty,” explains Director of QMJHL Central Scouting, Carl Bouchard.
During the playoffs Guay added 28 points including 20 assists in 17 games lead his team one win shy of a Jimmy Ferrari Cup title.
Representing the Quebec Midget AAA League at the Telus Cup, Guay lost in the final, but still has one goal and five assists in seven games.
“He can change the complexion of a game in an instant given his ability to make a big play for his team,” adds Bouchard.
Facing his big brother
Guay is considered the No. 3 ranked prospect ahead of the QMJHL Draft. If things fall the way they are expected to, he could find himself with the Cataractes who hold that third pick.
“That would be an excellent team for me. They have developed some good Quebec players like Anthony Beauvillier and Samuel Girard. I also find it would be a nice place to play,” says Guay.
If that becomes a reality, he would then find himself a stone’s throw from his brother Nicolas who is the captain of the Voltigeurs.
We have never played together or against one another. This year would be the first time if I manage to make the squad of whatever team picks me. It would be cool to get to play against him.”
Guay describes himself as primarily a playmaker and is looking to work on his explosiveness in the coming weeks.
“Those first three strides are the most important ones in order to blow past a defenceman and to win battles in the corners. That’s what I want to focus on.”
Teammate William Villeneuve is the No. 2 ranked prospect in this year’s Q Draft. The two friends are planning to sit close together during the draft.
“Whoever hears their name called first we will be happy for one another. It will be a special day for us both.”
