2002 NHL Entry Draft

PIERRE-MARC BOUCHARD

MINNESOTA • ROUND: 1 OVERALL: 8

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Previous Team: Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

Pre-Draft Rankings

NHL Central Scouting: 10  Midterm Rank: 20

The Hockey News: 11    Red Line Report: 28

Vital Statistics

Position: C • Height: 5-9½ • Weight: 155 • Shoots: Left
Birthdate: April 27, 1984 • Hometown: Sherbrooke, Quebec

Pre-Draft Notes

Central Scouting Report: A very good, well-balanced fluid skater with outstanding acceleration ... a very shifty player with excellent agility ... an intelligent player with exceptional hockey sense ... a creative playmaker with very strong puck-handling and passing skills ... carries the puck with poise and confidence and is an offensive threat every time he is on the ice ... has a good, accurate wrist shot and slap shot ... very effective on the power play and penalty kill ... a strong competitor and a hard worker ... an offensive player who is very aware of his defensive responsibilities ... refuses to be intimidated by physical play.

THN Draft Preview: Think Daniel Briere. Pierre-Marc Bouchard is probably the smartest player in the draft when it comes to offensive instincts. As much as a team could hit the proverbial home run with him, they could just as easily strike out. Bouchard is all of 5-foot-9½ and 155 pounds. But like the diminutive Briere of the Phoenix Coyotes, there is so much talent. Bouchard plays with a lot of range, and his puck-moving skills are superior by NHL standards. If there is a knock on him, it's his skating. But he plays on smarts and has a good shot. Bouchard won the QMJHL scoring title and was Canada's leading scorer at the World Under-18 Championship. But he needs to gain 30 pounds to be effective at the NHL level.

Red Line Report: Terrifically skilled puckhandler with quick, soft hands and truly great vision; the most imaginative player in the draft. Excellent offensive instincts and oozes the kind of rare hockey sense that allows him to see scoring opportunities develop before anyone else. Very creative and has excellent anticipation. Slick and elusive, but doesn't care for heavy traffic in the corners and doesn't like being hit. Likes to set up shop behind the net and direct the attack from there. Amazing timing and hand/eye coordination on one-timers. Small and easily knocked off puck. Defensive liability; does not make a good effort in d-zone. Good skater, but lacks that blazing first-step quickness that is essential for small skill guys at next level. Strong personal character. Must play on top scoring line to make it.
Projection: Put him with nasty wingers like Neely and Tocchet and he'd be a star; otherwise may be a PP specialist. Style compares to Mike Ribeiro.

Pre-Draft Quotes

He is our franchise player. He's an exceptional playmaker, very strong on breakaways. He's a very mature and intelligent player. He's very much involved in all aspects of the game.

-- Alain Rajotte, Head Coach, Chicoutimi Sagueneens

If you do not take him, you might miss a star. Question is, will he become big and strong enough?

-- Anonymous NHL Scout, Hockey News Draft Preivew

He could be an NHL All-Star in five years, that's how much potential he has. But he has to grow.

-- Anonymous NHL Scout, Hockey News Draft Preview