Patience is a true virtue, especially with Red Wing prospects.
21-year old Xavier Ouellet is no different, being drafted by Detroit with their second pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. Currently in his second full season in the AHL, Ouellet has continued to show the organization that he can be a solid, two-way defenseman at the highest level, building off his first full season that saw him net 22 points in 70 games while finishing at a +3.
A hand infection from dropping the gloves in Columbus forced fellow defenseman Brendan Smith onto the 7-day IR, opening a window that was shut at the beginning of the season in the defensive core. Ouellet was one of the defensemen on the cusp of making the team, falling subject to the last cuts before the season started.
With Brian Lashoff forcing himself in as the 6th defenseman due to injury and Jakub Kindl being a mystery healthy scratch lately, Ouellet will get a chance to prove that his preseason was no fluke.
On defense: Kronwall-Ericsson Quincey-DeKeyser Lashoff-Ouellet Based on the skate it looks like Kindl scratched for third game in row.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) November 20, 2014
Ouellet previously suited up for Detroit in four regular season games in the injury plagued 2013-14 season, including one Stanley cup Playoff game in which he cracked the lineup ahead of Jakub Kindl. Building off of the action he experienced in both leagues, Ouellet is primed to be a regular in Detroit sooner rather than later.
This opportunity will give him the chance to show he belongs in the National Hockey League, but what exactly does Ouellet bring to the table?
His strengths focus on his two-way game. His hockey sense and vision help start breakouts effectively similar to Danny Dekeyser. The ability to make the first pass and carry the puck by himself emulates the knowledge Ouellet carries of the game. Mistakes are few when he has the puck, has the ability to settle things down in his own zone, and his dual-special teams ability is essential. Positioning is key for any defenseman wanting to make it in the NHL, and Ouellet nails this category with his smarts.
To read Ben Kerr’s assessment of Ouellet last summer, click here.
With smarts comes work ethic and character. The Terrebonne native does not take shifts or even games off. His first year in the AHL gave him an added sense of physical ability to go with his brains. His character stems from his days in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, where he donned a “C” at the age of 18. (RedWingCentral)
Throughout his tenure in Detroit’s system, he has received tremendous praise for his efforts.
His skating needs to improve, but thanks to him being so smart on the ice, he doesn’t put himself in tough situations.”
— Red Wings director of player development Jiri Fischer (RWC, The Hockey News)
“Ouellet makes the right play each and every time.”
— Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock (RWC, MLive.com)
“He’s got a real consistency to his game … He seems to be able to find the right passing lanes and deliver the puck on time and let the forwards do their work. He’s strong on the puck, he’s strong in puck battles, and that makes him a good penalty killer.”
— Jeff Blashill (RWC, foxsports.com)
With Ouellet coming up earlier than anticipated, the Wings will get a chance to see how he fits into this season’s plans. Who knows, if he performs to his highly-touted ability, Ouellet could stick like many young players before him did last year. Only this time, it would be on the back end.
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Statistics and Bio courtesy of Hockey DB
Quotes and analysis courtesy of Red Wing Central
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