Kucherov, Nikita

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 3 @ Rouyn-Noranda 6

C Cedric Paquette, BLB: 0-1-1, E, 2 PIM, 2 SOG, 6 Hits
Season totals: 32 GP, 15-28-43, +17, 56 PIM

W Nikita Kucherov, R-N: Did not play.
Season totals: 13 GP, 9-13-22, +5, 2 PIM
With R-N: 7 GP, 6-6-12, +6, 0 PIM
With Quebec: 6 GP, 3-7-10, -1, 2 PIM

Cedric Paquette’s point streak rose to nine games with an assist in a loss to Rouyn-Noranda. Lightning prospect Nikita Kucherov was not in the lineup for the Huskies as he is in Russia preparing for the World Junior Championships. Paquette’s six hits were the most by any player on either team.

Ontario Hockey League

Brampton Battalion 1 @ Owen Sound Attack 4

D Dylan Blujus, BRAM: 0-0-0, -2, 0 PIM
Season totals: 35 GP, 2-13-15, -10, 26 PIM

D Jake Dotchin, OS: 0-0-0, +1, 0 PIM
Season totals: 32 GP, 2-8-10, +3, 35 PIM

Owen Sound scored the game’s final three goals to complete a 4-1 win over visiting Brampton. Both Lightning prospects, Dylan Blujus of Brampton and Jake Dotchin of Owen Sound, were scoreless in the game. Brampton remained seven points behind first place Barrie in the Central Division and Owen Sound stayed nine points behind London, who won their 20th straight game, in the Midwest Division.

By Peter Pupello, TampaBayLightning.com

Please excuse the United States’ neighbor to the north if the temperatures in Canada this time of year begin to feel a little bit warmer.

At least in and around the parts of Rouyn-Noranda, that is.

The city is home to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, whom since the arrival of Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Nikita Kucherov, have seemed to catch fire.

Since Kucherov joined the Huskies in a trade from the Quebec Remparts on November 21, the club has gone on to win seven of its previous nine games, including three straight.

Prior to the trade, Rouyn-Noranda had dropped five consecutive games, including two in a row by a score of 8-3. Kucherov, meanwhile, has elevated his game and has seemed to fit right in to his new surroundings as he emerges as a great talent at the Canadian junior level.

For the rest of this story, see TampaBayLightning.com.

This week we continue our Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their recent contributions on and off the ice.

This week’s winner said good-bye to his club team with a dramatic exit.

The Prospect of the Week for December 10 is … Nikita Kucherov, RW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL – Canada)

A lot is expected of Russia this month at the upcoming World Junior Championships. The city of Ufa, Russia, is hosting the tournament, and the Russians will not settle for anything less than a gold medal.

With the NHL mired in a lockout, a lot of attention will be on the tournament from North America, too, especially in hockey-rabid Canada.

It’s a big deal.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Val-d’Or Foreurs 4 @ Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 6

D Artem Sergeev, VDO: Did not play
Season totals: 29 GP, 5-18-23, +9, 24 PIM

W Nikita Kucherov, QUE: 3-2-5, +2, 0 PIM, 7 SOG, 0 Hits, *Second Star*
Season totals: 13 GP, 9-13-22, +5, 2 PIM
With R-N: 7 GP, 6-6-12, +6, 0 PIM
With Quebec: 6 GP, 3-7-10, -1, 2 PIM

Nikita Kucherov (pictured – Abitibi Express photo) was moved onto a line with fellow import Sven Andrighetto (undrafted) and center Marcus Power (undrafted) and the three combined for 12 points in the Huskies 6-4 win over the visiting Foreurs. Kucherov’s final goal was scored into an empty net. Fellow Lightning prospect Artem Sergeev did not play. It is thought he is preparing for Russia’s World Junior camp, but nothing has been confirmed. Kucherov is also on the camp roster and is obviously still playing. And playing well.

Rimouski Oceanic 6 @ Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 5 (SO)

C Cedric Paquette, BLB: 0-1-1, +2, 2 PIM, 11 SOG, 5 Hits
Season totals: 29 GP, 13-24-37, +15, 52 PIM

Cedric Paquette extended his point streak to five games with an assist in a shootout loss to Rimouski. He led the Armada with 11 shots, 15 faceoff wins, and five hits on the night. His shootout attempt was saved. The Armada fought back from a 4-0 deficit at the first intermission to eventually tie the game, then tie it again in the last minute, 5-5.

Ontario Hockey League

Brampton Battalion 3 @ Kingston Frontenacs 4

D Dylan Blujus, BRAM: 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM
Season totals: 32 GP, 2-12-14, -5, 26 PIM

Brampton let three 1-goal leads get away in a road loss to the Fronts.

Owen Sound Attack 1 @ Guelph Storm 4

D Jake Dotchin, OS: 0-0-0, E, 2 PIM
Season totals: 29 GP, 2-7-9, +2, 33 PIM

C/W Tanner Richard, GUE: 0-1-1, +1, 5 PIM
Season totals: 28 GP, 3-32-35, +11, 65 PIM

Tanner Richard was a goal shy of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick on Friday night in a big win over Jake Dotchin and visiting Owen Sound. Richard fought the Attack’s Cameron Brace. Guelph held Owen Sound to 19 shots on goal and moved within six points of the Attack in the Midwest Division. Richard will play Saturday then leave for Switzerland to prepare for the World Junior tournament.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Moncton Wildcats 4 @ Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 1

W Nikita Kucherov, QUE: 1-0-1, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG, 2 Hits
Season totals: 12 GP, 6-11-17, +3, 2 PIM
With R-N: 6 GP, 3-4-7, +4, 0 PIM
With Quebec: 6 GP, 3-7-10, -1, 2 PIM

Nikita Kucherov scored just over 20 seconds after Moncton had taken a 1-0 lead in the second period, but the Huskies gave up four goals in the final stanza to lose, 4-1. Kucherov was hurt briefly in the third period and had to be helped off the ice. He later returned to action and Moncton radio said he looked fine. Kucherov had shoulder surgery in May which delayed the start of his season this fall.

Ontario Hockey League

Guelph Storm 3 @ Kitchener Rangers 2 (SO)

C/W Tanner Richard, GUE: 1-0-1, +1, 2 PIM
Season totals: 27 GP, 3-31-34, +10, 60 PIM

Tanner Richard (pictured) scored at 19:03 of the third period to send the game to overtime and the Storm eventually won in a shootout, 3-2. They scored on both their shootout chances. Richard’s goal was just his third of the season. He has 34 points, however. He had 13 goals in 43 games last year.