Draft tracker: 5 questions with Francis Beauvillier, Rimouski Oceanic

Francis Beauvillier's stock in trade is his speed — channeling into all facets of the game is probably his challenge.

The 18-year-old Rimouski Océanic centre got some run out of winning the fastest skater competition two weeks at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, B.C.. Beauvillier, though, admits game-in, game-out consistency can be daunting for him by times. While his wheels are buttressed by a big-league shot, that has yet to translate into gaudy stats. Through 55 games for Rimouski, he has a Cy Young statline with 19 goals and seven assists for 26. When's he's on, though, he can look like a potential high pick. Beauvillier, who is ranked 62nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, has also shown brief vignettes of brilliance in showcases such as the NHL research, development and orientation camp, along with Top Prospects.

"Intensity," Beauvillier says when asked what is the biggest asset he brings to a team. "My goal is I'll always keep working. I'll never give up on the play."

The native of Sorel-Tracy, Que., who spent two seasons with the late and lamented Lewiston Maineiacs, has helped the Océanic rise to sixth overall in the QMJHL after finishing 13th last season. The move brought him closer to home, but adapting to new surroundings has been a learning experience.

"It's a new team, new town, new billets and all that stuff," Beauvillier says. "It's been going very well. It's very different. No one is doing the same thing as in Lewiston.

"For sure, it's going to help me. It was tough for me in Lewiston, there were older players so there was not a lot of ice time. Now I'm stronger mentally and that's going to help me in the long run."

1. Aside from having to continue getting stronger and also improving footwork, what skill do you need to improve the most in order to become a pro?

"My consistency. I've been working on it the last two years. I've been doing pretty well with it this year."

2. How do you describe your game to someone who has yet to see you play?

"I always use my speed and like to hit and take good shots. I'm kind of like a power forward who can score a goal and make some moves."

3. Who is the toughest player you have ever faced in the Quebec league?

"It's Brandon Gormley from the Shawinigan Cataractes. He's so tough around the net."

4. If hockey had been invented, what would be your sport?'

"Probably tennis. I love watching it and practising it during the summer. My favourite player is Rafael Nadal." (Did you stay up all night watching his Australian Open match with Novak Djokovic?) "No, no."

5. Aside from your home rink, where is your favourite place to play in the QMJHL?

"The Quebec Remparts', the Colisée. Rimouski is a great place to play, of course, but in Quebec you get to play in front 10,000 people, 15,000 people."

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet (photo: The Canadian Press).