NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Guillaume Brisebois

Get to Know Guillaume Brisebois

Date of Birth: 7-21-97
Place of Birth: Longueuil, QC, CAN
Ht: 6’2” Wt: 176 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Defense
Team: Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)

Tall and lanky, Guillaume Brisebois has been one of the bright spots in a dismal situation. The Acadie-Bathurst Titan have won a paltry 39 games in the past two seasons. They actually made the playoffs in Brisebois’s first season, but Val-d’Or swept the Titans, limiting them to just 5 goals—and Brisebois was in on three of them.

He became captain of the team in 2014, and led all defensemen in scoring, coming in second on the team in assists. One has to wonder what he could accomplish with a more talented cast around him. Still, he’s made the most of his time since being drafted by Acadie-Bathurst 5th overall in 2013. He was named to the CHL Top Prospects Game, won gold with Team Canada at the Hlinka Memorial tournament, and won bronze at the U18 World Junior Championship.

Statistics

What Scouts See

Bill Placzek

Captain’s a weak Titan team and is good at both ends. Very thin, but still willing and able to use his frame to knock puck carriers. Maintains good gaps and plays solid despite the lack of depth around him. At this juncture is more a defense-first place but he may still round out his offensive game.

Future Considerations

Brisebois a thin and fast-moving defender who is very smart, but not very flashy. He doesn’t stand out in any offensive fashion but is effective in all three zones. He has outstanding mobility and makes puck movement look easy, but physically he is often overmatched on the boards. He’s competing, but his lack of functional strength hurt his chances in 50/50 battles. Does not respond well to getting hit or physically man-handled and has a bit of a questionable ‘soft’ factor to his game. He plays his position very well though, always keeping himself between his net and the puck carrier, and using his stick to break up opponents’ chances. Brisebois has very good timing on his passes and has the versatility to contribute in all situations. Has a decent point shot–nothing to get too excited about–but effective in a secondary point playing role. His forte is on defense and steps-up aggressively, closing his gaps quickly to force players wide and off the puck. He just does not give players a lot of time or space. His feet keep him with any of the Q’s quicker forwards, and while he isn’t strong he does maul guys on the boards with his long limbs and ties up well in front of the net. We love his hockey sense and smarts to use what he has effectively in most in-game situations.

What BSN Avalanche sees

An interesting combination is Guillaume Brisebois. He’s a defensive defenseman but not in the traditional sense. He doesn’t channel his inner Adam Foote, but instead uses typically offensive skills like quick feet, clean passes, and deft puckhandling to thwart the opponents’ scoring opportunities. He’s an intelligent player who sees the ice well, and he uses his speed to take away room from encroaching forwards. He’s also a strong leader who possesses those intangibles that teams love so much.

Unfortunately, for all his defensive instincts, Brisebois does not like to get dirty. He avoids physicality, which can put him out of a play especially along the boards. While tall, he has minimal strength and loses battles often. Without a significant improvement in this area, it’s unlikely that he’ll be effective at the higher levels.

Highlights

NHL Potential

If Brisebois can develop a physical game, he might find himself as a middle-pairing defenseman. He has the intelligence and mobility to be effective in that role; he just needs to find a way to embrace the rougher aspects of the game. If he doesn’t, he’ll get eaten alive by the NHL—and even AHL—forwards.

Expected Draft Position

Brisebois has enough raw talent that he should be drafted in the third round. Perhaps he’ll drop to the fourth, but it’s unlikely he’ll go much further than that. There is a slight chance he’ll end up in the tail end of the second as his biggest weakness can be developed with age and strength training.

How Guillaume Brisebois Fits in Avalanche Organization

Can’t spin this one at all. There’s no way this kid ends up with the Avalanche. He brings nothing that the team needs or wants.