With the June 10 QMJHL Entry Draft fast approaching, one person that I knew I had to interview is Mark Haidar from Hockey Prospects Online (HPO). Mark and his team of scouts have just released HPO’s 2006 QMJHL Draft Guide, a 73 page handbook that studies hundreds of draft picks for the upcoming Annual Session in Charlottetown, PEI.. A fascinating read, and a must for diehard MAINEiacs fans looking to get some insight on the new talent entering Lewiston and the league for the seasons ahead. Mark was gracious enough to take time out from his busy schedule to sit down with me and discuss HPO, the draft ahead, and notable picks from the league and by Lewiston.

What is Hockey Prospects Online?

Mark Haidar: Hockey Prospects Online (HPO) is an independent scouting site. We have no team or league affiliations.

When did you create HPO?

Mark Haidar: We created HPO in April 2004, but didn’t launch it online until October 2004.

Why did you create HPO?

Mark Haidar: We felt that other sites similar to HPO didn’t give players from Quebec and Atlantic Canada enough publicity as they concentrate mostly on the other two CHL leagues (WHL and OHL) as well as the NCAA.

What makes your site different from the others?

Mark Haidar: Its unique in the sense that there aren’t any sites on the interent who concentrate 100% of their energy on the Midget level. Other sites like ISS concentrate most of the energy on scouting Junior aged players heading into their draft year. The sites that do spend time on midget aged players tend to focus on the other 2 CHL leagues, the OHL and WHL. We have the only site on the internet that offers video of the top players with no charge to the viewer.

How long have you scouted and for which teams?

Mark Haidar: I have been scouting hockey since 2001, but have not worked for any teams on a formal basis.

What are the backgrounds of your HPO scouts?

Mark Haidar: None of us have scouted for individual teams on a full time basis but we have done some part time work. We formed HPO three years ago, and the same scouts we started out with are still together. We may not have as much experience as others but our track record of ranking the 2004 and 2005 drafts are on par with other scouting services.

What makes HPO different from the ISS and the league’s central scouting?

Mark Haidar: We at HPO tend to focus all of our attention and manpower to scouting players in a very narrow age range (midget aged) whereas other services spread themselves more thinly by watching European players and players eligible for NHL draft.

Is HPO just for the QMJHL?

Mark Haidar: We started with our primary focus on players entering their QMJHL draft year by covering the the leagues’ protected areas of Canada (Quebec, NFLD, NS, NB and PEI). Last year we expanded to the OHL and we plan on expanding even further to cover players eligible for the WHL Bantam Draft with the next 2 years.

Who uses the information from HPO?

Mark Haidar: Players, parents, and fans. We have no affiliation to QMJHL or OHL teams but certain clubs have approached us requesting information.

What do you think of this years draft and the quality of it compared to years past?

Mark Haidar: There are about 3-4 players who could be #1 overall picks in any other year and there is no real drop off from pick #5 to pick #15 so there is good depth in the first round. After that its about average compared to past drafts.

What trends are you seeing for size and skill in different positions?

Mark Haidar: Large players are still highly sought after but the biggest difference I’ve seen is that smaller defensemen are getting more of a fair shake. 3-4 years ago if a defensemen was 5’08″ he would instantly be overlooked, where as scouts are taking longer looks at undersized defensemen. The reason for that is because of the rule changes. The need for a puck moving defensemen in today’s game is a must for any team. There is still room for those 6’05″ physical types and teams will always go after those players but the way the game is being called, especially with no redline, there is a larger emphasis on finding that player who can really move the puck.

What prospects do you like in this draft beyond the first round?

Mark Haidar: Some of the players that we really like at HPO who aren’t being hyped very much are: William Beaudoin, D, Levis; Christopher Guay, D, SSF; Michael Kirkpatrick, C, Dartmouth; Phillipe Breau, D, Moncton; Mathieu Seguin, D, Crabtree; Matthew Stoddard, C, Cole Harbour; Evan Mosher, G, St-John’s; to name a few. Beaudoin is a smooth skating, physical style defender, loves to use his stick, he projects to be a steady defender in the Q, not really flashy but gets the job done… Guay is a year older, so he will be a “17 year old” in the Q next year. We love everything about him. He is a great leader, plays physical, a good skater. Guay can play both on the PP and PK, posesses a great point shot, and should step right into the league and play regularly… Kirkpatrick is a small, yet energetic forward. He is smart and quick, will throw his body around, and has a great wrist shot… Breau is a big, lanky, smooth skating defensemen. He is loaded with potential, but he will be more of a project… Seguin is one of those undersized defensemen who should benefit from the way the game is being called now. He is 5’07 but he has speed to burn and isn’t afraid to mix it up physically. We especially love the way he jumps into the rush and supports the play. He has been overlooked by some scouts but we feel a team could get a gem in the third or fourth round if they take… Stoddard is one of those kids that you can’t believe he is only 15. He is so mature, he plays exceptional defensive hockey while having silky smooth hands and blazing speed. He has the whole package. We doubt he will be a big time scorer in the QMJHL but he will be one of the best two-way centermen in the league in a couple of years… Mosher is one of our favorite goalie prospects. He has adequate size, he moves well in the net and he plays a near perfect butterfly. He is always square to the puck and never out of position. He also has a razor sharp glove hand. He may not be a first round pick, but he may end up being one of the better goalies taken in the draft.

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In part two of my interview with Mark, we will look at the draft ahead for the Lewiston MAINEiacs as well as take a look at the past results for the team and league wide over the past three years. I encourage everyone to check out Hockey Prospects Online and get a copy of HPO’s 2006 QMJHL Draft Guide, over 70 pages of indepth information, rankings and statistics of well over 200 potential draftees. For less than the listed Canadian currency price of $12, it is more than a bargain, and great way to not only learn about future MAINEiacs, but the future stars in the Q and the NHL.

After Part 2 of the interview which will be posted on Monday, you can submit your questions on the draft prospects to my email address. I will sit down again with Mark and he will answer them in the following column later on next week.

Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!