QMJHL Draft Prospects Profile: Antoine Morand

The two top prospects ahead of this year’s QMJHL Draft are two peas in a pod. Maxime Comtois and Antoine Morand both dominated the Quebec Midget AAA League this past season, winning the Jimmy-Ferrari Cup together as teammates with the Châteauguay Grenadiers. It’s been a coin-flip for some time now which of the two would end up as the No. 1 as ranked by the QMJHL Scouting Central.

“For us, it’s not a competition or something we ever discussed together. We are both aware how highly we are ranked and we know that it’s thanks to both of us working together. Our team game is what has help us put up the type of numbers we did this season,” recalled Morand who is ranked No. 2 after posting 55 points in 41 regular season games this year.

In the playoffs, he then racked up 30 points in only 16 games.

“Antoine is probably the best set-up man in this draft. His skating ability, his vision on the ice and he’s hockey sense are what make this centreman such a key part of his team. No matter the team he’s facing he makes his mark and can adjust to any situation or level of competition. He isn’t just a passer either, he can also score goals. He will be a very good player at the junior level,” praised league scouting director, Carl Bouchard.

Hockey above all else

There’s no doubt that what fuels this 5-foot-9, 156-pounder is his passion for the game.

“He doesn’t’ realize just how good he is. I remember early this past season he was nervous about even making the team. When we told him he made it, he looked like he had dodged a bullet. He’s very well-liked by his teammates. He’s a competitor. So much so that we sometimes have to remind him to tone it down at practice so that he doesn’t injure a teammate during one-on-one drills. He’s someone who hates to lose which makes him exactly the type of player you want on your team,” said his head coach Steve Hartley.

A versatile player who excels at both ends of the ice, Antoine is often called upon to take critical faceoffs in his own zone.

“I’d be lying if I said I never got caught while trying to score, but things go pretty smoothly overall. This summer I’m hoping to add some weight to help me win more battles come training camp.”

Deja vu

Steve Hartley was an assistant coach under Dominique Ducharme with the Halifax Mooseheads for three years. While he is quick to mention that they aren’t the same type of player or the same size, but he doesn’t hesitate in comparing both Comtois and Morand to Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon.

“They are both players with a lot of chemistry together that can really make a difference in a game with one big play. When the pressure is on, you can also count on them to score the big goal. They made me experience the same thrill I had with Drouin and MacKinnon. Their time in Chateauguay is done and both of these players are ready for the QMJHL,” concluded Hartley.