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Three Stars: QMJHL players lead the way in CHL Top Prospects Game

Three Stars: QMJHL players lead the way in CHL Top Prospects Game

Almost any scout will give some variation of the same answer when it comes to assessing the importance of the CHL Top Prospects Game.

Don’t read too much into any performance, good or bad, they’ll say. It’s just one piece of the puzzle, a tiny snapshot, they’ll insist. They put more stock into the full body of work, of course. But the game clearly does mean something. Why else would all those scouts come out in droves?

There were a few players who certainly helped their case for the 2016 NHL draft thanks to their efforts in Vancouver on Thursday night.

Here are the Buzzing the Net three stars, with a huge nod to the QMJHL in the 3-2 Team Orr victory over Team Cherry:

3. Evan Fitzpatrick, G, Sherbrooke Phoenix (Team Cherry)

Fitzpatrick’s stomach virus was well documented on Sportsnet’s broadcast of the game. You’d have never guessed he was under the weather by the way he played, though. Despite reportedly vomiting during the morning skate, Fitzpatrick recovered and was excellent in his half-game’s worth of work. The No. 2 NHL Central Scouting-ranked North American netminder stopped all 17 shots he faced.

2. Pascal Laberge C/RW, Victoriaville Tigres (Team Orr)

Laberge was excellent, particularly from the second period onward. He scored twice in the game and set up linemate Pierre-Luc Dubois for a nifty game-winning goal. Laberge’s first goal of the game even came with some style points. The 31st-best North American skater, per NHL Central Scouting, made American world junior Alex DeBrincat look like a scarecrow before beating goalie Zach Sawchenko.

1. Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (Team Orr)

Dubois was the youngest player at Canada’s world junior selection camp in December, but failed to distinguish himself from his older peers and was among the first cuts. We saw what he can do when he picks on those his own age. Dubois, Central Scouting’s seventh-ranked North American skater, was a wrecking ball in Vancouver. He also chipped in with two assists before forcing a turnover and finishing off a pass from Laberge for the decisive marker.