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Most of Montreal’s prospects saw limited action in the month of April but some still managed to make their mark.  Here are our 3 Stars from the past month.

Laval

1st Star: Chris Terry – Laval didn’t have much to play for as a team after clinching dead last but individually, Terry did.  With the scoring title in sight, he put up a point per game and that was enough to lock it down (a particularly impressive accomplishment given that he missed the better part of a month due to injury).  At least one Rocket player accomplished something this season.

Stats: 5 GP, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, -6 rating, 0 PIMS, 24 shots

2nd Star: Adam Cracknell – Terry rightfully drew the attention but Cracknell played a big role in Terry being able to lock down the scoring title.  He was a complementary player that could get to the net.  Boy, doesn’t that sound like something the Habs could use?  Here’s hoping they at least kick the tires on trying to re-sign him for next year.

Stats: 5 GP, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, -6 rating, 5 PIMS, 8 shots

3rd Star: Jeremy Gregoire – With all of the injuries, recalls, and tryouts down the stretch, Gregoire got to play a bit more and showed some offensive ability.  Is it enough to get another contract?  It’s hard to really glean too much from a bunch of largely meaningless games but he may have done enough down the stretch to warrant one final chance.

Stats: 5 GP, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, -3 rating, 4 PIMS, 6 shots

Honourable Mention: Anthony Beauregard – Beauregard got off to a pretty slow start when he joined Laval in March but he looked more comfortable and made more of an impact in his final few games, including finding a way to contribute despite limited ice time.  If he wants to take a run at an AHL deal, he’s at least worth a look in training camp.

Stats: 4 GP, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, even rating, 0 PIMS, 5 shots

Other Prospects

1st Star: Alexandre Alain (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL) – For the second straight month, a newcomer tops the list.  Alain is in the midst of a stellar postseason run to cap his junior career and he has played a significant role in the Armada making it to the President Cup Final.  It’s unrealistic to expect him to play a similar role in Laval next season (if he’s even in Laval and not the ECHL) but this type of performance is certainly a bit of cause for optimism.

Stats: 11 GP, 8 goals, 8 assists, 16 points, +8 rating, 14 PIMS, 55 shots, 58.4% faceoffs

2nd Star: Joni Ikonen (Finland, Four Nations Cup) – Ikonen’s return back home to play in the SM-liiga didn’t go as well as anyone would have hoped for so he has largely flown under the radar this year.  After his season wrapped up, he suited up at the Four Nations Cup and he fared better against more age-appropriate competition.  It doesn’t take away from the poor season he had but at least he ended it on a high note.

Stats: 3 GP, 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points, +3 rating, 0 PIMS

3rd Star: Hayden Verbeek (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL) – Verbeek wasn’t lighting it up in April but he was still an effective player before a broken wrist took him out of the lineup.  His team is in the OHL Final (against Hamilton’s Will Bitten) but even if they make it to the Memorial Cup, it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll be able to return.

Stats: 7 GP, 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points, +1 rating, 10 PIMS, 10 shots, 60.6% faceoffs

Honourable Mention: Josh Brook (Moose Jaw, WHL) – It wasn’t a great end to Brook’s season but there weren’t many other prospects to really choose from here (Bitten really struggled last month and most others barely played with their postseasons over).  As a result, he gets the nod here.

Stats: 9 GP, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, -5 rating, 8 PIMS, 25 shots