Dobson could be real deal on defence after winning Memorial Cup
Acadie-Bathurst star one of draft’s top blue-liners
During the weeks leading up to the NHL Entry Draft, we’re taking a look at players who might be selected by the Montreal Canadiens. The team has five selections in the first two rounds, including the No. 3 overall pick.
NOAH DOBSON, DEFENCEMAN
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 179 pounds
NHL Central Scouting rank: No. 5 among North American skaters What the scouts are saying: If you watched the Memorial Cup, you have a good idea why the Summerside, P.E.I., native is expected to be one of the early picks in this year’s draft. The smooth-skating Dobson was the top-scoring defenceman in the tournament (two goals, five assists in four games) as he helped the Acadie-Bathurst Titan win the title. Dobson averaged better than a point a game last season with 17 goals and 52 assists in 67 games. His offensive numbers tend to overshadow the fact he is a solid defensive player who uses his positioning skills to take away time and space from opposing players. He has excellent size with the potential to add strength. Titan GM Sylvain Couturier, the father of Florida Panthers forward Sean Couturier, said he’s certain Dobson will be a top player in the NHL. Why the Canadiens would be interested: Many scouts believe Dobson is the second-best defenceman in the draft behind consensus No. 1 pick Rasmus Dahlin. His ability to play at both ends of the ice is a plus, but it is his offensive ability that makes him attractive to a Montreal team that ranked 29th in offence last season.
Detour to the Q: Dobson took an unusual path to the QMJHL. After playing minor hockey in Summerside, Dobson elected not to play midget hockey. He spent one season playing in the prep-school program at Bishop’s College School and then went to Austria to play with the Red Bull Akademie junior team in Salzburg. His teammates in Austria included Ryan Savage, the son of former Canadien Brian Savage. Dobson said the Austrian experience was valuable because Red Bull played a limited schedule, but it offered lots of ice time for practice.