logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Canucks Development Camp Invitees: Defensemen
alt
Jul 4, 2016, 12:00 EDTUpdated:
Comments
Earlier today, we took a look at some of the forwards the Canucks invited to development camp. Although it’s highly likely that none of the invites are able to earn themselves a contract, there are still some intriguing names on the board.
Now we turn our attention to the defensemen who are at camp. The Canucks actually have a decent stable of defensive prospects on the way, so this area may now be of less focus for the organization. Yes, aside from Olli Juolevi, they lack high-end defensive prospects, but those type of prospects are generally not found in your development camp invites list. (aside for Joe Hicketts)
With that, let’s look at the defencemen that have been invited by the Canucks to this year’s camp:

Frederic Aube (QMJHL)

Bio:
  • Age: 19, 1996-08-10
  • Birthplace: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
  • Frame: 6’1″, 192 lbs.
  • Position: D
  • Handedness: R
  • Team: Drummondville Voltiguers
  • Accomplishments/Awards: N/A

Stats:


pGPS n
pGPS s
pGPS %
pGPS P/GP
pGPS R
95
6
6.32%
0.291
0.001
Hailing from Sherbrooke, Frederic Aube posted career highs in assists (34) and points (41) during the regular season – while playing with an edge that saw him post 103 PIM, which was one short of his career high of 104 PIM in 2014-15.
Aube hasn’t done enough over his QMJHL career to warrant a team taking a chance with a draft pick. He does have decent offensive awareness, but none of his other skills stand out.
Using pGPS to look at Aube, a paltry 6.32% went onto becoming NHL regulars. That number isn’t surprising due to his lack of notable production and because he will be 20 before the beginning of next season.

Jacob Sweeney (QMJHL)

Bio:
  • Age: 21, 1995-03-01
  • Birthplace: Quebec, Quebec, Canada
  • Frame: 6’4″, 201 lbs.
  • Position: D
  • Handedness: L
  • Team: Moncton Wildcats
  • Accomplishments/Awards: QMJHL Most Goals by a Defenceman  (14/15)

Stats:


pGPS n
pGPS s
pGPS %
pGPS P/GP
pGPS R
91
2
2.2%
0.33
0.007
Sweeney had a good 2014-15 season, where he posted 46 points, including 17 goals, in 66 games with the Moncton Wildcats. He was ranked as the 206th best prospect by Future Considerations for the 2015 NHL Entry draft, but went unselected. His good season did earn him an invite to the New Jersey Devils and the Albany Devils training camps. He failed to earn a contract, but looked poised to build off of that.
Those good times came to an abrupt end this season after he only put up 14 points in 45 games.
Using our handy pGPS comparison tool, only 2.2% of Sweeney’s matches went onto successful NHL careers.
Sweeney is 21-years-old and is already committed to the University of Ottawa for next season – so it’s hard to see a future for the rear-guard within the Canucks organization.

Olivier Galipeau (QMJHL)

Bio:
  • Age: 19, 1997-05-22
  • Birthplace: Ste-Marie-Salome, Quebec, Canada
  • Frame: 6’1″, 201 lbs.
  • Position: D
  • Handedness: L
  • Team: Val-d’Or Foreurs
  • Accomplishments/Awards: QMJHL Gold Cup Champion (12/13), QMJHL Champion (13/14)

Stats:


pGPS n
pGPS s
pGPS %
pGPS P/GP
pGPS R
185
19
10.3%
0.24
0.02
Another player in the group who isn’t afraid to drop the gloves, Olivier Galipeau had a decent season posting a career high 37 points in 56 games this past season. He followed that up with 9 points in 6 games for Val-d’Or. Galipeau is eligible for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, so the Canucks may be looking to take a longer look at the young rearguard.
When using pGPS, 10.3% of comparable players to Galipeau went onto becoming NHL regulars.
Looking at the group of defenceman invited and comparing to the group they have already assembled within the organization, it’s fair to believe that these three likely don’t have a future with the organization. With that being said anything can happen.
Aube is the most intriguing of the group, and I wouldn’t be surprised that if he shows well this week, he may receive an invite to the Young Stars.

Breaking News