Florida Panthers draft Francis Beauvillier, 174th overall

The Florida Panthers draft forward Francis Beauvillier of the Rimouski Oceanic.

From Hockey’s Future

A speedy forward with great acceleration, Beauvillier was a valued contributor at both ends of the ice for Rimouski. His skating ability not only made him dangerous in offensive situations, but also a short-handed threat while taking shifts as a penalty killer. Able to make a play at top speed, Beauvillier’s game will be much more effective when he adds muscle to his frame.

FLA takes Beauvillier. Great skater, doesn’t really have an impressive skill asides from that.

— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 23, 2012

More after the jump

Also from Hockey’s Future

7. Francis Beauvillier, C, Rimouski Oceanic
6’1, 176 pounds. October 22nd, 1993
Another former Lewiston player, Beauvillier joined a veteran-laden Rimouski squad for his third QMJHL season and while he hardly set the league on fire, he was a crucial piece of the Oceanic’s march to the league’s championship finals. One of the fastest players in the draft this year, Beauvillier was tops among the players at the CHL’s Top Prospects Game.
In 67 regular season games, he scored 23 goals and had 34 points, including five goals on the man advantage and another two goals coming while shorthanded. But it was in the playoffs that the forward did his best work. Appearing in 21 playoff matches, he scored five goals and had nine points with another two goals coming shorthanded. More importantly, Beauvillier regularly found himself playing a defensive role, utilizing his speed to force decisions and create turnovers.
Though he has only posted modest offensive numbers thus far in his QMJHL career, Beauvillier could be due to a big jump in both ice time and production. As mentioned, Rimouski’s team last season was primarily a veteran squad and so they are saying goodbye to a number of players over the summer. This places Beauvillier in a perfect spot to move up in the line-up and fill a larger role. Although he is young, he is already quite experienced, entering his fourth year in the league this fall and he has some untapped offensive potential that could make him a two-way force on the ice.