Observations:

October 2014 – Drouin’s is recovering quicker than most anticipated he would from his thumb injury. He’s been ruled out of the lineup for the season opener, but don’t expect him to miss much action. Randall Buschmann

September 2014 – Drouin showed up to training camp in Tampa Bay stronger, leaner and more mature. It would appear the extra year in junior really helped. After missing a few days of camp with the mysterious “upper-body injury”, Tampa Bay announced he’d miss three to four weeks due to a fractured right thumb. The injury is not thought to be serious, but Tampa Bay is being extra cautious with their budding superstar. Randall Buschmann

February 2014 – Drouin has continued to improve his play away from the puck, while still producing a staggering amount of points and making everything look almost effortless in the process. He’s posted 18 points in his last nine games playing almost entirely at the center ice position in all situations for Halifax. Despite playing ten less games, he’s already managed to beat his shots on goal total from last season by one. He currently sits fifth in the league in scoring despite playing significantly less games then the players ahead of him. Randall Buschmann

January 2014 – Lightning prospect stud Jonathan Drouin was named CHL Player of the Week (ending January 19th) for the second time this season after recording one goal and 10 points in three games. Since returning from the World Junior Championships, Drouin has tallied a dozen points (1G, 11A)  in four games including back-to-back four-point efforts on January 18^th and 19^th. Brendan Ross

December 2013 – Drouin has recovered from his concussion and has been cleared to participate for Team Canada for the WJC. Drouin will serve as an alternate captain for Canada and will be relied upon heavily to provide offence for the red and white aiming to rebound into the medals after finishing fourth at the 2013 WJC. Brendan Ross

December 2013 – Jonathan Drouin suffered a concussion after a hit from behind from fellow Lightning prospect Adam Erne. Drouin was slated to participate in the 2014 World Junior Championships and will be likely sidelined heading towards that date for precautionary reasons. Brendan Ross

November 2013 – The Canadian Hockey League named Jonathan Drouin Player of the Week (for week 10 ending November 17th) after the Mooseheads forward tallied four goals and 10 points in three games, finishing with a shinny plus-5 rating. He was also dubbed QMJHL First Star of the week for his dominating performance. Drouin is serving as Team QMJHL captain for the 2013 Subway Super Series and registered a trio of assists in Quebec’s 3-2 win over the Russians on November 18th. Brendan Ross

November 2013 – Drouin battled a seemingly minor groin issue at the beginning of the season which caused him to miss a few games. He finished October with a very pedestrian(for Drouin’s standards, at least) three goals and 16 points in 10 games. However, Drouin has made up for any perceived short-comings already by posting six goals and 13 points in his last four games. Tampa Bay experimented with Drouin at center during their prospect development camp, as well as during training camp. Drouin even played center during an exhibition game before being sent back to his junior team. To date, Drouin has won the third most faceoffs on his team. Something to keep an eye, if the Lightning organization intends to convert him from a natural winger to the center ice position. While Drouin doesn’t really have anything else to prove at the junior level, it’s an important year for him regardless. He’ll need to concentrate on staying healthy, adding strength when he can and continuing to improve his overall game. Randy Buschmann

October 2013 – Steve Yzerman opted to return Jonathan Drouin to his QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads club despite having a strong training camp and preseason. Despite winning the 2012-13 CHL Player of the Year Award and looking that he had nothing left to prove at the junior level, Drouin will look to help Halifax win back-to-back Memorial Cups, but must do it without his friend and linemate, Nathan MacKinnon. Brendan Ross

July 2013 – The Tampa Bay Lightning passed on selecting top-rated defenseman Seth Jones to draft the silky smooth Jonathan Drouin. The young playmaking forward is coming off a strong development camp with the Lightning (see video below) and should get a very long look at making the big club in the Fall. Brendan Ross

May 2013 – Jonathan Drouin of the Halifax Mooseheads scored 41 goals and 64 assists to finish with 105 points in 49 regular season games this season. The young sophomore scoring star also finished with an impressive plus-minus rating of plus-49. Drouin is the first player to claim the award in their first NHL draft-eligible year since Sidney Crosby won the award with the Rimouski Oceanic in 2005 leaving him to join some pretty illustrous company. Jopnathan Drouin just helped his Halifax Mooseheads to the CHL Memorial Cup Championship and remains the top undrafted fantasy hockey prospect. Brendan Ross

April 2013 – Jonathan Drouin recently cleaned up at the QMJHL year-end awards taking home the following honours: Michael Bossy Trophy (Best Professional Prospect), Paul Dumont Trophy (Personality of the Year), Michel Briere Trophy as the leagues Most Valuable Player and was named to the First All-Star team. In only 49 QMJHL regular season games with Halifax, Drouin finished with 41 goals and 105 points which was good for second and the highest points-per-game pace. The young forward also had a remarkable plus-49 ranking. He’s solidified himself as a top-5 selection at the upcoming 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross

March 2013 – From a fantasy hockey standpoint, Jonathan Drouin is arguably the best player in the 2013 NHL draft class and the young crafty winger is currently riding a QMJHL long 26-game point streak totalling 24 goals and 58 points. Brendan Ross

February 2013 – For the second consecutive week (without linemate Nathan MacKinnon), Drouin was named one of the three stars of the week and this time it was a First Star of the Week honour after tallying two goals and 11 points in just three games. Drouin is beginning to receive serious consideration for the first overall selection in the upcoming 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He is my current top ranked player and his ridiculously slick puck skills and elite level on-ice vision are a treat to watch (see “Best Shift of the Year” video below). Brendan Ross

February 2013 – Jonathan Drouin was named the QMJHL’s Third Star of the Week (ending February 17th) after sniping five goals and helping out with five assists for 10 points in four Halifax Mooseheads games.  Drouin’s strong weekly performance is even more notable because the draft eligible winger stepped up huge as his teammate Nathan MacKinnon sat out with an injury. Brendan Ross

January 2013 – NHL Central Scouting has released their mid season rankings for the 2013 NHL entry draft and it’s no surprise that Halifax Moosehead winger Jonathan Drouin has climbed up the list once again. The skilled winger is now listed third amongst all skaters behind only defensemen Seth Jones & teammate Nathan Mckinnon. After a breakout tournament at the World Junior Championships in Russia, the 5-11 St-Agathe Quebec native continues to draw great reviews from Scouts. He’s supremely skilled and already possesses excellent Hockey IQ. Drouin currently sits 18^th in QMJHL scoring with 51 points in only 26 games played. His 1.96 points per game average is also highest amongst all forwards in the league. While Drouin is still considered to be the third best draft eligible player going into the 2013 draft, his play in recent months will certainly bring him into the discussion for first overall in June. Derek LeBlanc

December 2012 – Drouin, who has always been considered first round talent, has rocketed up the rankings to a projected top-5 rank in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. His line mate and absurdly talented centre, Nathan MacKinnon, might get all the attention, but Drouin has been tearing up the QMJHL all year with 47 points in only 26 games. He has elite vision, hockey sense and playmaking abilities and is the type of player who makes everyone around him better. He has a knack for always being in the right spot and often embarrasses defenders with his skill.  Drouin has been named to Team Canada’s 2013 World Junior team. Derek LeBlanc

Fantasy Outlook: A+

First line potential but likely takes some time before he gets to that level. Displays a lot of similarities to Claude Giroux. 

Footage:

Drouin stickhandles his way to a great assist in Subway Super Series

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Jonathan Drouin at the 2013 Tampa Bay Lightning Development Camp

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Jonathan Drouin “Best Shift of the Year”

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Jonathan Drouin Highlight Package

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