NHL draft tracker: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Val-d’Or Foreurs

Contributing to a winning effort helped Nicolas Aubé-Kubel bring the big picture in the focus.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was a semi-afterthought to scouts this past season, when Halifax's Nikolaj Ehlers and Moncton's Ivan Barbashev were the circuit's only bona fide draft-eligible dandies. Aubé-Kubel, however, left a lasting impression as a burgeoning two-way wing with NHL-calibre grace and speed. After a solid 22-goal, 53-point regular season, the Sorel-Tracy, Que., native anchored the Val-d'Or Foreurs' second line during their run to the President's Cup and the Memorial Cup semifinal.

"At the beginning of the year, I was probably trying to do too much," says Aubé-Kubel, who is NHL Central Scouting Service's 40th-ranked North American skater. "My teammates said, you have to do less, you can't force things or hold the puck too long or you'll always turn over the puck. I was thinking too much about it During the playoffs, I gained some confidence and was able to play better."

During the Foreurs' playoff run, Aubé-Kubel also showed an advanced acumen for racing back on defence and cutting off passing lanes. That asset could bolster his case to be an early pick on June 28, when the last six rounds of NHL draft are conducted in Philadelphia.

"During the season, I was more of an offensive player," the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder says. "When playoffs started, our coach [Mario Durocher] asked us to be responsible defensively. I think we did a good job of that and that's why we went to the Memorial Cup."

Aubé-Kubel played right wing much of the season in order to fortify the Foreurs' top-six. The 18-year-old believes a move to the middle could be in the offing next year, when Val-d'Or will have to replace several cogs.

"When I was younger I played centre, but I think I'm more comfortable on the wing. Next year I might like to move back to centre."

1. Which NHL player(s) do you think your style of play resembles?

"For now, I think I compare to Kyle Turris in Ottawa. He's a centre, but I think I play like him. The way he skates and the way he makes plays."

2. Where do you believe you need to demonstrate improvement as you build toward earning a NHL contract?

"For sure, my defensive game and also my accuracy on my shot has to improve."

3. Who is the most challenging defenceman you have faced so far in the QMJHL?

"In practice in Val-d'Or, it was probably Jérémie Fraser. In games, it was Jimmy Oligny on Rimouski [Océanic]. He was a tough defenceman to play against. Very strong."

4. What is your favourite movie or TV show?

"Movie — Step Brothers. TV show, I really liked the Dexter series."

5. Where is your favourite road rink?

"The Colisée in Quebec. I got a lot of family there from Sorel."

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.