thefiestygoat Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Elite Prospects Profile Hockey Prospectus: 41. Stefan Matteau, Left Wing, USA Under-18 National Team-USHLMatteau was one of the hardest players for me to rank. Between my own viewings and talking to many scouts, he was very polarizing in regards to his pure upside and what to degree each of his main tools were. He's an above-average skater who gets a lot of power generated from each stride. He's improved his acceleration and he's surprisingly quick now I would say for a power forward. I personally have been 50/50 on his skating when I've watched him, but just about every scout I've talked to has praised it. Matteau also has pretty good hands, showing the ability to make plays in tight spaces with the puck and create some offense at even strength. I don't see him as a particularly instinctive and awe-inspiring offensive player, but he has enough to his tool kit to make some things happen. Matteau is a pretty physical player, who despite average size, looks to be able to win battles against 6'3" or 6'4" opponents as he shows good physical effort, is very strong, and loves to throw his weight around. He has racked up a lot of penalty minutes this year due to his physical style and a few incidents where his emotions got the best of him. He has defensive value as well and can project to bring notable effectiveness on the penalty kill. Hockey Prospect Black Book: Stefan Matteau - LW - USNTDP, 6’1” 209Matteau is our favorite forward on the USNTDP. He is very aware on the defensive side of the puck and he plays a high tempo game. We love the work ethic in his game, especially his commitment to defense. Stefan sees the ice well and creates time for himself by being such a good puck protector. He is strong and uses good footwork and body position to control the puck. He is probably not what you would call an elite offensive player but he has talent in the offensive zone. He has great instincts and uses his size to create space. When it comes to his skating you take the good with the bad. He is very good in a straight line but needs to work on his lateral agility. His first few steps are not awful but it’s an area for him to keep working on. His NHL bloodlines won’t hurt him any in June. We had him as high as a late first rounder this season. Quotable: “Right from the first game I saw him in the Fall Classic he was the forward that jumped out at me off that team. I loved his energy and his smart brand of hockey. I like him heading to the QMJHL next season. The Armada staff did a great job coaching up that team this past season. That probably bodes well for whoever pulls the trigger on Stefan in June. Will he still be on the board for Montreal in the early 2nd round?” - Mark Edwards Future Considerations Draft Guide: No. 34STEFAN MATTEAU POSITION: Left Wing SHOOTS: Left TEAM: NTDP U18 (USHL) BORN: February 23, 1994 VITALS: 6’-1.5” / 210 Lbs STATS: 46 GP 15 G 17 A 32 PTS 166 PIM SCOUTING REPORT: A big, strong power forward who plays with an ornery temperament. He has good skating ability for a bigger player and nice speed, but his first couple steps are not the fastest. He’s a wrecking ball with good size, plays with constant energy and has very strong aggressiveness. He hits everyone hard and always makes his presence known on the forecheck. He compliments his physical game with solid offensive skills including a hard wrist shot and some underrated playmaking abilities. He loves to take the puck to the net hard and fight for those second and third chances. He can carry the puck up ice and into the offensive zone but does not have much flash or the ability to dangle. He’s smart and understands how to play the game in a straight forward way. Discipline concerns crept into his game this year as he made a few bad on-ice decisions that left him watching games while serving suspensions for his infractions. The son of former NHLer Stephane Matteau plays with more grit and skill than his father, who he will join next year when he moves to Blainville-Boisbriand of the Quebec league where his father is an assistant coach. NHL POTENTIAL: Top six power forward. Kirk Luedeke (NE Hockey Journal): Matteau, also 18, is listed at about 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, and is coming off a season in the USHL with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Although originally committed to the NCAA route with the University of North Dakota, Matteau switched gears and declared for the Blainville-Broisbriand Armada of the QMJHL for the 2012-13 season.A rugged power forward who has a big shot and plays a hard-nosed style, his skating needs work and he racked up a lot of penalty minutes over the course of the last couple of seasons (140 in just 46 USHL contests). “Stef is a great kid and fierce competitor,” said U.S. NTDP teammate Matt Grzelcyk (Charlestown, Mass.) “He’s a great teammate; someone who you’d love to have on your team.” Like his father, Matteau doesn’t possess a lot of flash, but he plays a gritty north-south game and can crash the net effectively. In 18 USHL games, he tallied six goals and 10 points. He protects the puck well and isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty. Matteau’s penchant for taking bad penalties is sure to come into question when final decisions are being made, but Grzelcyk noted that while at times he got a little out of control, he feels Matteau is more disciplined now. Scouts were robbed of a major showcase opportunity for him when he was ruled ineligible for the World Under-18 Championship tourney in a questionable decision by the IIHF. Matteau is a dual-citizen of the USA and Canada and speaks French fluently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin226 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 What the **** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghdi Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Well holy crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microwavepizza Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Hahahahaha wow i can't believe this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormJosh Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 We must ensure that this player never reaches the NHL. This was the perfect way to ensure that. Lets loan him out to a 3rd division Ukrainian team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelastonealive Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 You blew it, fiesty. You know damn well the title of the thread was supposed to be MATTEAU! MATTEAU! MATTEAU! Lou is such a troll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I really do not want this guy on the team. fvck his dad and fvck his offspring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 We should have given up the pick this year. What a waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyrsuck26 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I think the only way one can reqct to this is laughing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerzey Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Another left winger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 This would be like the Red Sox drafting Bucky Dent's kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghdi Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 He wont sniff us for at least 2 years. I am also surprised we didnt give up the pick. You almost HAVE to think Lou is gonna wiggle his way out of that penalty with the new CBA. Only explanation I can think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils01 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 nobody likes this pick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 You know what Lou has made sure of... "New Jersey Devils draft the son of the guy who did this (clip of double OT game 7 plays)" thanks lou, can't get enough of seeing that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slasher72 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Now we just need to get into the Conference Finals again with the Rangers and have our Matteau beat Lundqvist with a wrap around in a Game 7. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghdi Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 nobody likes this pick? I dont dislike the pick cause the kid has a good pedigree (despite 94). He's a good player from all Ive seen. The reason Id say I dont like it is because he's a future pick. Hes not going to even be in Albany next year and this year seemed like the perfect time to pay our penalty for Kovy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimaira_Devil_#9 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 (edited) Welcome aboard kid. All i can say is looks like its going to be a tough crowd. Edited June 23, 2012 by Chimaira_Devil_#9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slasher72 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 he's actually a good player. I dont mind the pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfsharkalligatorhalfman Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 You know what Lou has made sure of... "New Jersey Devils draft the son of the guy who did this (clip of double OT game 7 plays)" thanks lou, can't get enough of seeing that Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking. Rangers fans will have a new reason to never shut up about it also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dan 56 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I didn't have a problem with this pick. Conte and Lou clearly saw something in this guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 also it looks like kind of a reach. Ranked 41 on one list, 34 on another. Better talent was to be had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Rattlehead18 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Say this on http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?cspid=15804 "Matteau intends to join Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL for the 2012-13 season." Also has him listed as a center. If he declines to sign with the Devils, ranger fans will mock us forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattyelias Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Lou fell asleep at the wheel just like did when he screwed up qualifying Raffi, Madden and White. Should've given up the pick this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Rattlehead18 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Say this on http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?cspid=15804 "Matteau intends to join Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL for the 2012-13 season." Also has him listed as a center. If he declines to sign with the Devils, ranger fans will mock us forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Rockies 1976 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Oh well, I got past '94 a long time ago. If the guy can help the Devils win, that's all I care about. How great would it be to see him burn the Rangers someday? I'd rather root for him to do something like that someday than to root against him for something his father did almost 20 years ago. Like it or not, this kid may be a Devil someday...might as well embrace him. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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