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3 Habs prospects to play in Memorial Cup Tournament |
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Three Montreal Canadiens prospects will be competing in the Memorial Cup tournament beginning May 19th in Windsor, Ontario. 2015 seventh round draft pick forward Jeremiah Addison and 2016 first round draft pick defenseman Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires earned an automatic birth as the host city. 2015 sixth round draft pick defenseman Simon Bourque of the Saint John Sea Dogs booked his ticket to the tournament as his team swept the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL President’s Cup on Wednesday night.
There is little doubt that Addison, Sergachev and all of their Spitfire teammates are chomping at the bit to get back on the ice and try to redeem themselves after blowing their 3-1 series lead to the London Knights in the first round of the OHL playoffs. They have not played a meaningful hockey game since their game seven defeat on April 4th. Except Sergachev that is who was called up by the Canadiens on an emergency basis for the team’s last regular season game of the season when Shea Weber, Alexei Emelin, Jordie Benn and Andrei Markov were all either injured or forced to rest.
Sergachev’s season has not necessarily been as strong as he and Canadiens fans would have liked to see but it has been far from a bust. His 43 points in 50 games is on par in points per game compared to his phenomenal draft year totals of 57 points in 67 games. He had very little impact for Russia at the World Junior Championships with just one goal in seven games as his ice time was limited. In Windsor’s first round loss Sergachev had just a goal and two assists. However, when he dressed on April 8th for the Canadiens against the Detroit Red Wings Sergachev looked much improved on the ice compared to earlier in the season when he started the year with the Canadiens and played in three games. Sergachev found his confidence early in that game and was not afraid to hold on to the puck and make a play whereas in October he was looking to just not make a mistake. His reaction time was noticeably quicker as well. If Sergachev is able to step up in the Memorial Cup and take control of games the way that he is capable of doing, Canadiens fans will breathe just a little easier before panicking that he is not living up to standards. Remember, the young man has not even turned 19 yet…
Addison’s junior rights were traded last Summer from Ottawa to Windsor and that is likely the main reason why the Canadiens decided to send him to the Spitfires as an overage player rather than be assigned to the St. John’s Ice Caps. The opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup was guaranteed and that experience is nearly incomparable. Addison projects to be not more than a third or fourth line energy style player but he has displayed a tendency in the past three seasons to step up and find another gear in the playoffs. In that time he has 15 points in 15 playoff games including five goals in five games this postseason.
While some may accuse Bourque of riding partner Tomas Chabot’s coattails with the Sea Dogs, in reality that could not be further from the truth as Bourque has proved that he is able to produce regardless of his defense partner. Before Bourque was traded to Saint John he had 28 points in 29 games with the Rimouski Oceanic. Afterwards, he added another 28 points in 30 games with the Sea Dogs. Throughout the QMJHL playoffs he accumulated four goals and nine assists in eighteen games, including a goal in the series clinching win last night. He is counted on to play in all situations and while his shot could be stronger, it is accurate. Bourque should also be able to draw from his 2015 Memorial Cup experience with Rimouski despite his team finishing last in that tournament when Zach Fucale and the Quebec Remparts defeated them in a sudden death tiebreaker game to advance to the semi-final.
There is a very good chance that this tournament could mark the final junior games of these three players. Addison is a lock to join the new Laval Rocket since he played this season as an overage player. Bourque could return to the Sea Dogs as an overage player but he too should join the Rocket this Fall. Bourque and 2015 first round draft pick Noah Juulsen should bolster the Rocket’s blueline despite being rookies. Regarding Sergachev, there will likely be constant debate as to whether or not he is ready to turn professional and play in the NHL or should he return to Windsor and play another year of junior. Unfortunately the AHL is not a possibility for him due to agreements between the NHL and CHL. He could very well earn another tryout so to speak in October as he still has remaining eligible games to play before there are salary cap implications.
The first game of the Memorial Cup takes place May 19th at 7pm between the Windsor Spitfires and Saint John Sea Dogs.
Cheers and follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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