Canadiens future watch
Several Habs prospects continue to shine during the 2018-19 campaign
by Pierre-Antoine Mercier, translated by Dan Braverman @CanadiensMTL / canadiens.com
MONTREAL - Here's a quick look at the progress a few Canadiens prospects are making with their respective clubs so far this season.
Josh Brook
The Moose Jaw Warriors defenseman has been absolutely on fire since the start of the calendar year. Brook has totalled 25 points (5G, 20A) since January 1.
The Warriors captain now has 14 goals for 58 points in 45 games this season. By comparison, he had racked up 32 points in 45 games during the 2017-18 campaign.
The Habs' second-round pick (56th overall) in 2017 is at or near the top of several categories among defensemen in the Western Hockey League.
The Roblin, MB native currently has the most power play goals among defensemen in the league, and he's also second among rearguards in points with the man advantage with 28.
Brook is also the third-highest-scoring defenseman in the WHL overall and sits fourth in goals.
The 19-year-old rearguard set a new career high with three game-winning goals, including the following one scored in the Warriors' 4-3 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on February 8. Brook finished that night with two goals and two assists.
In case that wasn't enough, take note of the fact that despite being a defenseman, the Canadiens prospect has taken 16 faceoffs this season, winning six of them.
Allan McShane
The Oshawa Generals centerman has found his groove in 2019, having scored 14 goals and 31 points in the New Year.
McShane is currently riding a five-game points streak in which he has picked up four goals and five assists.
He's also set a new career high in goals with 27 on the season, which surpasses the 20 he tallied in 67 games last season.
The Habs' fourth-round pick (97th overall) in 2018 owns 55 points in 51 games this season.
McShane, a native of Collingwood, ON, has also set new personal bests with nine power play goals and four game-winners, including this one from the Generals' 4-3 win over the Erie Otters, also on February 8.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound pivot is also having a strong season in the faceoff circle. McShane has won 382 of his 680 draws, good for a 56.18% win rate in the dot.
Cole Fonstad
The Prince Albert Raiders forward has led his team with 14 goals since January 1.
Fonstad has 26 goals and 61 points in 57 games this season.
His 26 tallies are a career high, and are five more than the 21 he scored in 72 games in 2017-18.
The Estevan, SK native has also matched his career-high for game-winning goals with four.
Fonstad had a particularly strong run from February 1-9 when he lit the lamp eight times for 12 points in five games. His efforts earned him the WHL's Player of the Week nod last week.
Montreal's fifth-round pick (128th overall) in 2018 notably enjoyed his first five-point night, scoring a pair of goals and adding three helpers in the Raiders' 8-2 win over the Calgary Hitmen on - you guessed it - February 8.
As well, Fonstad has a plus-22 differential on the season.