Maxime Boisclair and Nicolas Désilets win Quebec Major Junior Hockey League player of the week awards
BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, October 10, 2005 (QMJHL) Chicoutimi Saguenéens forward Maxime Boisclair and Shawinigan Cataractes defenseman Nicolas Désilets were named offensive and defensive players of the week for the period extending from October 3rd to 9th.
In four games, Boisclair had six goals and five assists, while notching his first hat-trick of the season in a 4-3 win over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies last Friday. Two days later, he scored his 10th of the season against the Olympiques in a 3-2 win, good for fourth place in the QMJHL's overall point standings. Nevertheless, the Gatineau win enabled the Olympiques to stay in first place in the Western division, two ahead of both the Saguenéens and the Huskies.
Derrick Brassard (3-5-8), the Drummondville Voltigeurs center was also strongly considered for player of the week honours as he amassed eight points in only two games. Olivier Latendresse (2-6-8) of Val-d'Or and Benoit Mondou (4-3-7) were also considered.
The defensive player award went to Shawinigan captain Nicolas Désilets. The 6'1'', 201lb defenseman finished the week with a goal and an assist and was a sturdy +4 on the ice at even strength for only one goal against. Additionally, he accumulated eleven body-checks while leading his team to a perfect 3-0 record.
Last Wednesday, trailing 4-1 to Drummondville, Désilets physically punished the opposition, recording five body-checks and inspiring teammates in a come-from-behind 6-4 win. Yesterday, after a 3-2 win in Lewiston, he received high praise from his Head Coach. "In the absence of his defensive partner, Jean-Philippe Paquet who is out with an injury, Nicolas Désilets is our defensive leader, playing approximately 30 minutes a game," mentioned Denis Francoeur to our own Denis Demers.
Other players considered for the defensive player of the week award were goaltenders Sylvain Michaud (2-1-0; 190 MP; 2.21 GAA; .933 SAV%) of Chicoutimi and Jonathan Bernier (0-2-0; 123 MP; 1.94 GAA; .935 SAV%) of Lewiston, as well as defenseman Travis Mealy (1-5-6) of Rouyn-Noranda.
