Toronto Maple Leafs 2015 Draft: The Case For Anthony Beauvillier

In the last Toronto Maple Leafs draft profile, I took a look at Baie-Comeau Drakkar star defence man Nicolas Meloche, and will now take a look at another QMJHL prospect, dynamic scoring centre Anthony Beauvillier of the Shawnigan Cataractes.

Beauvillier has always been a top prospect ever since his year with the Richelieu Éclaireurs Bantam AA, where he posted 54 points in 34 games. He became an instant hot commodity on QMJHL coaches and scouts radars and is expected to go late in the first round or early in the second (31st-33 overall).

After his Bantam year, Beauvillier elected to join the Collège Antoine-Girouard Espoir of the QMEAA and scored 27 goals while adding 13 assists for 38 points in 27 games. He the joined Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois of the QMAA, a league up from QMEAA and play din nine games recording only one point.

The next year, Beauvillier went back to Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois to play out his draft status. That year, he exploded with Gaulois, recording 39 goals and 25 assists in 41 games played while earning QMAAA First All-Star Team honours, QMAAA Most Goals (39), QMAAA Most Points (64) and the QMAAA MVP.

During his post-season with Gaulois, the team made it all the way to the QMJHL Gold Cup, and it took them 13 games. Beauvillier put up five goals and 10 assists on 15 points. Although he and his team didn’t win the QMJHL Gold Cup, but medaled silver.

After his draft year, he entered the 2013 QMJHL Draft and was selected in the first round, second overall to the Shawnigan Cataractes. Playing in 64 games, the sniping centerman recorded nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points in his rookie campaign, helping the Cataractes clinch a playoff berth – although the team being swept in the first round. He didn’t grab any awards, but learned a lot about his defensive and team play, setting him up for a dominating sophomore campaign.

The next year, Beauvillier was hungry to prove he was worth the second overall pick in last years draft, and did he ever. He carried the Cataractes through the whole season, recording 42 goals and 52 assists for 94 points in 67 games.

The Cataractes clinched a playoff spot yet again, and pushed to game seven before losing to Nikolaj Ehlers and the Halifax Mooseheads. Once the playoffs concluded, Beauvillier decided to accept the invitation to represent Team Canada at the U-18 World Championships. He recorded three goals throughout the tournament, improving his draft stock and recording a bronze medal.

Beauvillier’s play this year was rewarded well, as he picked up some nice hardware, as he was named to the QMJHL Second All-Star team and won gold at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament.

The kid is just a bone chilling goal scorer who can tally at will. According to Eliteprospects.com, “Beauvillier is a dynamic scoring center with good hockey sense. Not very large in stature, but makes up for it in speed, skill, and cunning. A talented puck-handler with good hands: is equally efficient a passer as he is a goal scorer. All-in-all, an offensively minded center that can outplay the opposition in a number of different ways.”

His biggest downfall is his strength and discipline, as he takes stupid penalties that usually cost his team a goal. If the Leafs management end up drafting Beauviller with their 24th overall draft pick, new coach Mike Babcock will be able to fix his discipline problem quickly and will give the Leafs a centre who can put the puck in the back of the net, as well as set-up his goal scoring wingers.

Next: Find Value In Showcase Pickups

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