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***RAmenAmen*** · 03-30-2022, 01:18 AM

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Quebec City, Canada

With twenty-two games and a full third of the S64 season behind them, teams across the SMJHL now have plenty of game tape and statistics to measure their performance. With last season’s most talented and experienced players departing for the SHL, a new crop of rookies has risen up to take their place, and contending teams will sink or swim based on the performance of the rookie class. In Quebec City, a staggeringly large rookie class has stepped up in a big way to help their team to a 15-5-2 start and a league leading undefeated home record. With five rookies drafted and two signed in free agency, the Citadelles have taken a firm stance on building young talent instead of seeking to add veteran players to their lineup via trades, and the 60 points those rookies have scored are just the start of their strong contribution. Let’s take a look at the players the Citadelles have drafted or signed this season and see how their performance stacks up so far:

Sophie Bordeleau - C @boom
Drafted: 8th
TPE: 250 (6th)
G: 6
A: 14
P: 20
+/-: 6

If there is a clearer candidate for rookie of the year than Sophie Bordeleau right now, I don’t know who it is. With twenty points in twenty two games, Bordeleau is tied for the top spot among rookies. At 5’8” and 155lbs, size was the biggest concern for those who overlooked Sophie in the draft, but the flashy center has quickly become the anchor for the Citadelles’ second line. A goalscorer’s best friend, Sophie has shown a unique talent for finding open teammates and setting up the play in the offensive zone, and with thirty-five hits she’s shown that her small frame won’t keep her from shutting down her opponents.

Faust Faker - LW @Patty
Drafted: 13th
TPE: 241 (12th)
G: 4
A: 6
P: 10
+/-: 4

Also drafted in the first round, this 6’2” two way winger has made an immediate impact on the third forward line. Often paired against the opposing first line, Faker’s strong defensive awareness and stick checking ability has been instrumental in Quebec City’s shutdown defense, which sits at third in the league in goals against. Even in a heavily defensive role, the young German winger has found his name on the scoresheet ten times this season, good for thirteenth among rookies.

Portagas D. Ace - LW @TnlAstatine
Drafted: 17th
TPE: 229 (26th)
G: 4
A: 7
P: 11
+/-: 8

Playing first line minutes as a rookie is a daunting proposition, but second round pick Portagas D. Ace has handled the task well, cracking the top ten in rookie scoring with the help of captain Aksel Fiske and QCC scoring leader Bodhi Utah. Contributing on the powerplay as well, the Japanese prospect has shown the ability to dangle around opponents with ease, waiting for the right opportunity to bury a goal or find an open teammate. While his twenty-one hits so far this season haven’t been league leading, his ability to consistently check his opponent off the puck without taking penalties has been a massive contribution to his team, as he’s only taken a single penalty all season. Portagas has put his large frame and physical strength and balance to good work, keeping hold of the puck despite the best efforts of the opposing defensemen until the right opportunity arises.

Isabella Bouchard - G @thevoicelesscreator
Drafted: 19th
TPE: 233 (24th)
W: 1
SV%: 0.872
GAA: 3.76

Looking to ensure a strong goalie tandem for seasons to come, the Citadelles drafted a familiar face in Isabella Bouchard with their fourth pick of the draft. A DFA and emergency backup for the team at the end of last season, Bouchard was a strong locker room presence that the team desperately wanted to keep in the system. At just 5’7”, Isabella is among the shorter goaltenders in the league, but her natural athleticism and strong positioning have her poised for a successful career. Her first five games have been a mixed bag, but with most of those appearances on the road against challenging opponents, she’s shown flashes of the greatness her team saw in their early scouting, and she should be poised for a strong career ahead.

Kalevi Pukkala - LD @Derry7
Drafted: 47th
TPE: 208 (42nd)
G: 3
A: 2
P: 5
+/-: -6

A very late pick in the draft, this fourth round selection may just be a diamond in the rough for Quebec City. The 6’2” Finnish prospect boasts a strong all-around game, contributing five points, good enough for seventh among rookie defensemen. Making a strong early statement from the third defensive pair, he’s also logged time on both the powerplay and penalty kill units, using the best of his offensive and defensive talents to keep his team ahead on the scoreboard. Unafraid of opposing shooters, he’s blocked twenty-one shots in the first third of his rookie season, and hasn’t been afraid to drop the gloves in the defense of a teammate, participating in a pair of fights so far.

Hunter Havok - C @H0PPY75
Undrafted
TPE: 219 (31st)
G: 5
A: 7
P: 12
+/-: 4

The first of Quebec City’s two undrafted gems this season, the young center out of Boise, Idaho has found plenty of scoring success already, notching twelve points while centering the rookie-heavy third line, even without spending time on the special teams units. His physical strength and defensive talent has shone brightly in his rookie season, with a strong 1.29 TA/GA ratio against the league’s best scorers. While he may not have had the time to train leading up to the draft like most of his classmates, Hunter has absolutely lived up to his name and brought some well needed Havok to the league.

Tommy Thompson - C @Allegiant
Undrafted
TPE: 194 (47th)
G: 0
A: 2
P: 2
+/-: -1

A relative latecomer, Thompson signed with Quebec City eleven games into the start of the season, and is still catching up to his fellow rookies in developing his skills. Despite the late start, Thompson has found some early success on the Citadelles’ fourth line, grabbing a pair of assists and some strong performances on the penalty kill unit. His natural talent for faceoffs has been crucial to his strong defensive performance, and he leads all QCC rookies in Corsi and Fenwick scores due to his line’s strong shutdown mentality. With a little bit of time to grow, the 6’4” forward should become a force to be reckoned with in the SMJHL and beyond.

With all seven of these rookies proving to be active and successful contributors to the team, along with the continued development of the S63 draft class ahead of them, the future is certainly bright in Quebec. Only time will tell if their outstanding start can continue and build toward a division title or even a championship this season, but if there’s one certainty right now, it’s that the Citadelles are a name you’re going to be hearing quite a lot for seasons to come.

word count: 1223

**esilverm** · 03-30-2022, 12:16 PM

Portagas D. Ace is a bust. Congrats to all other rookies, though!

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Special thanks to Blitz, jhockey, Ragnarr, and sulo for the gorgeous sigs <3

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Allegiant · 03-30-2022, 12:39 PM

My 2 assists make me a contender for rookie of the year

Valpix · 03-30-2022, 01:54 PM

We've got a fuckin' squad.

Ox Monkey · 03-30-2022, 02:16 PM

One of my major goals is to actually beat you guys in Quebec City this year! Yall are the only undefeated at home squad thus far!

Evok · 03-30-2022, 02:19 PM

03-30-2022, 02:16 PMOx Monkey Wrote: One of my major goals is to actually beat you guys in Quebec City this year! Yall are the only undefeated at home squad thus far!

No thank you please, this honor should go to nevada

Vaxlare · 03-31-2022, 12:15 AM

03-30-2022, 02:19 PMEvok Wrote:
03-30-2022, 02:16 PMOx Monkey Wrote: One of my major goals is to actually beat you guys in Quebec City this year! Yall are the only undefeated at home squad thus far!

No thank you please, this honor should go to nevada

Only if they do it in overtime Tongue

Also good job on a great rookie class

Evok · 03-31-2022, 08:08 AM

03-31-2022, 12:15 AMVaxlare Wrote:
03-30-2022, 02:19 PMEvok Wrote: No thank you please, this honor should go to nevada

Only if they do it in overtime

Also good job on a great rookie class

It ended up being nl, sad

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