[ad_1]
Jordan Tourigny
2022-23 Team: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: Feb. 28, 2005
Place of Birth: Victoriaville, Quebec
Height: 5-foot-11, Weight: 168 kilos
Shoots: Right
Position: Defence
NHL Draft Eligibility: First-Year Eligible
Rankings
In a era, the function of a defenceman has drastically modified. In the early 2000s, defencemen have been nonetheless largely anticipated to assist out the goalie and moved the puck out of the defensive zone; solely essentially the most gifted of the group, like Scott Niedermayer or Nick Lidstrom, may play a hybrid fashion the place additionally they helped out within the offensive zone, appearing like a fourth ahead.
Now, nevertheless, this fashion is extra the norm than the exception. Modern defencemen are anticipated to make stable passes and assist out the offense, and one of the best of the group not solely act like a fourth ahead however basically are a fourth ahead. It’s a throw-back to the early days when the sport had an extra position called the rover, which was precisely because it sounds – a hybrid between defenceman and ahead. It was typically crammed by the group’s finest skater, who performed extra like a contemporary heart, however the place was eliminated completely in 1923. But with the rise of Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Miro Heiskanen, and Rasmus Dahlin, the rover has made a stunning return.
Related: The Hockey Writers’ 2023 NHL Draft Guide
Jordan Tourigny may be part of that new cohort of dynamic, puck-moving defencemen. Last season, as a rookie with the Shawinigan Cataractes, he emerged because the group’s power-play quarterback, taking the reigns from forwards Mavrik Bourque and Zavier Bourgault, ending 2021-22 with 4 targets and 21 factors in 64 video games. This season, the Cataractes misplaced each their high forwards, in addition to high scorer Oliver Nadeau, however Tourigny remained, and he stepped as much as fill that offensive void, upping his totals to 6 targets and 41 factors, ranked fifth on the group and second on protection.
What makes Tourigny such a harmful offensive power is his capacity to see the ice like a ahead as a result of, till three years in the past, he was one. However, the change opened up a brand new world for him and allowed him to play in all areas of the ice. When the Cataractes are on the offensive, he can anticipate performs and transfer the puck deceptively to keep away from turnovers, and he is aware of the place to be to select up a rebound or fill in a gap that his opponents depart open. He is slippery and troublesome to pin down, utilizing his sturdy skating stride and fast turns to get him out of many sticky conditions, particularly when he’s carrying the puck.
On protection, Tourigny is greater than succesful. He has an lively stick that he makes use of to interrupt up passes and create turnovers. He’s aggressive when making use of stress, as effectively, and doesn’t shrink back from physicality regardless of his smaller body. In reality, he makes use of his measurement to his benefit, getting beneath larger gamers and forcing them off the puck. That’s only one instance of what made his transition to protection so seamless – his capacity to problem-solve shortly.
Some flaws in his sport are holding Tourigny again from hitting a brand new degree. For a participant that’s so sleek on his skates, he lacks top-end velocity and may be overwhelmed in a foot race. He can keep away from turnovers with a sensible, fast cross, but when he desires to develop into extra of a puck provider and playmaker, like his idol Makar, he must enhance that space of his sport. He additionally doesn’t have the defensive consistency that’s anticipated of the place, though that may possible include age and expertise. Right now, he’s looking for his sport, and he has the competitiveness and aggression that may assist him succeed. He’ll simply want a little bit time to get there.
Other THW Draft Profiles
Jordan Tourigny – NHL Draft Projection
Tourigny sat 63rd general on the Central Scouting Service’s midterm rating, which put him within the third or fourth-round vary. But on the ultimate report, he fell to 123rd and might now count on to be taken within the fifth or sixth rounds. While he didn’t have the strongest finish to his season – he put up only one level in March – it actually didn’t justify a drop of 60 spots. So, the place he finally ends up on draft day is a little bit of a thriller. However, if he’s handed over, he shouldn’t fear; his brother, Miguël, was chosen within the 2022 Draft by the Montreal Canadiens after getting handed over twice.
Quotables
“Tourigny’s strongest asset is his problem-solving ability in all situations, but especially with the puck; he often blends head fakes with shoulder checks and pivots to make him extremely difficult to read along the boards. He will often double or even triple-fake his way out of a forechecker’s reach, making them believe he’s headed one way, then momentarily presenting his body in the opposite direction before pivoting back the other way. Tourigny’s problem-solving at high speeds is also very evident on offensive rushes, especially as a power-play puck carrier. He rids himself of wave after wave of pressure effortlessly before making a smart lateral pass on the zone entry for an easy set-up.” – Hadi Kalakeche, Dobber Prospects
Latest News & Highlights
“Quality skater with a solid skating stride. Smooth mechanics and showcases great agility and edge work. Confident player with the puck on his stick. Finds his passing options well and executes at a high rate. Joins the offence whenever possible and is creative with his offensive blue line work. Strong hockey sense in all three zones. Potential high-ceiling when projecting him with added physical strength.” – NHL Central Scouting
“His strength is puck retrieval and transitional play, using strong crossovers and good vision to pick up speed and make an accurate first pass. He is aggressive on defence, closing gaps quickly, but this approach tends to beat him wide by a forward with good speed. He defends well, thanks to his positioning and stick placement. Offensively, he has a good shot that he uses to create rebounds, is adept at walking the blue line, using movement to open passing lanes.” – Blain Potvin, The Hockey Writers
“Tourigny participates in every facet of the play. Aggressive and confident, he jumps into every rush, tries give-and-goes, dances around forecheckers, and opens up passing plays, but his game would improve with an extra dose of control and foresight. The defenceman’s feet lead the way. They allow him to outmaneuver opponents and stop their rush, but his mobility alone won’t be enough to lift him up to an NHL role. If Tourigny can learn to better take care of the defensive end, while also continuing to diversify his offensive plays, he will move up significantly on our board.” – David St-Louis, EP Rinkside
Strengths
- Skating
- Intelligence
- Confidence
Under Construction – Improvements to Make
- Strength
- Speed
- Defensive consistency
NHL Potential
Tourigny has the potential to be a superb 200-foot defenceman, following within the footsteps of so many different fashionable defenders. However, that would translate into many various roles within the NHL. It’s unlikely he reaches the identical top as Makar or Hughes however may develop into somebody like Ty Smith, another forward-turned-defender who was taken within the first spherical of the 2018 Draft. But, like Smith, it’ll take him a while to seek out his footing within the NHL, making him a riskier choose.
Risk-Reward Potential
Risk – 5/5, Reward – 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offence – 8/10, Defense – 6/10
Interviews/Links
Jordan Tourigny Statistics
Videos
[ad_2]
Source link
