Montreal Canadians' Top 5 Prospects
1. G Mathieu Garon
Team: Victoraville (QMJHL)
Size: 6-1 180 pounds
Age: 19
Drafted: 2/96
The talented goalie has great size, glove hand, puckhandling ability, quickness and mental toughness, which allowed him to him to star for the Canadian Team on the World Juniors. Although the Canadian Team's performance was extremely disappointing, Garon's performance was excellent, just as his play in the Canadian Juniors, where he's considered the top netminder. The Habs already have two young 'tender in Jocelyn Thibault and Jose Theodore, but it looks as if Garon will be the best one of the bunch.
2. RW Jason Ward
Team: Erie (OHL)
Size: 6-2 185 pounds
Age: 18
Drafted: 1/97
Ward is a hard-working, gritty, team player that provides his team with intangibles needed to win games. He doesn't have outstanding offensive ability, but may develop into a two-way threat with time. Jason is very polished for an 18-year-old, but it would be beneficial for him to stay in juniors another year or two. The Oshawa native will be a third-line player at worst, and has the talent to play on the top two lines.
3. LW Terry Ryan
Team: Red Deer (WHL)
Size: 6-2 200 pounds
Age: 20
Drafted: 1/95
Ryan had his share of injuries that drastically lowered his stock, but if he will ever get healthy, the kid could be potentially play on the second line. He's a gritty, physical power forward who is aware defensively and not afraid to play in the trenches. Last year, after coming back from an injury, his performance was nothing short of spectacular. In only 16 games, Terry scored 13 goals, assisted on 22 others and compiled a +18 rating. This season was a year of adjustment for Ryan and he's showing that he's more than capable of playing the pro game.
4. C Matt Higgins
Team: Moose Jaw (WHL)
Size: 6-2 175 pounds
Age: 19
Drafted: 1/96
After winning the Cup in 1993, the Habs used their first round pick to on smallish C Saku Koivu and it paid off big-time. A year ago, the Canadians chose another skilled center hoping he will one day play on top two lines in the NHL, and there is every indication that he will not disappoint the Habs. The hard working kid was one of the best defensive forwards drafted in 1996, and last year he has developed offensively as well.
5. D Brad Brown
Team: Fredricton (AHL)
Size: 6-3 220 pounds
Age: 21
Drafted: 1/94
The Montreal Canadians coveted big D Brad Ference in the 1997 Draft, but he was chosen a pick earlier by the Vancouver Canucks. But the Habs may already have that type of player in Brad Brown. Brown is huge and not afraid to drop his gloves. He finished his second pro season last year with very impressive 368 penalty minutes in 64 games, and signs of overall improvement. Look for Brown to develop into a quality #4 blueliner in the NHL during his prime.
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