With an organizational need already filled thanks to the team’s selection of Lawson Crouse in the first round, Dale Tallon decided that now was the time to draft players in other positions, and he added a goaltender, Samuel Montembeault, and a defenseman, Thomas Schemitsch, with the 77th and 88th selections in the Draft.
Montembeault played with the Blainville-Boisbrand Armada of the QMJHL this season, playing in 52 games with a .891 SV%. Though this mark isn’t impressive by standards around the CHL, the Q has a higher average shooting percentage, and Montembeault’s play resulted in the Armada having the league’s fifth highest save percentage; the kid has some skills.
@RedSteeg32 from the amazing @ISShockey draft guide pic.twitter.com/DQ7iBRcC2Z
— Shane O’Donnell (@shane1342o) June 27, 2015
Schemitsch played with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL this season, and registered 49 points in 68 games. Here’s his likelihood of success according to the Projection Project:
That’s a pretty darn good pick for the third round.
According to his scouting report, he’s a big defenseman that needs to utilize his size more often, but has a quarterback mentality with the puck, great vision, and above average skating skills. His distribution of the puck leads to quick zone exits, and he could be a power play option in the future.
Given that we can see the zone exits being a team weakness, this is a solid pick by the Cats late in the third round.
Overall, Tallon had a solid third round. We’ll see if Montembeault pans out, but he certainly has the potential, while Schemitsch looks to be a quality addition to the prospect pool.