Sudbury Wolves centre Nathan Villeneuve has been added to the CHL Top Prospects Game roster along with Eriks Mateiko (QMJHL), as they replace the injured Cayden Lindstrom (WHL) & Ryder Ritchie (WHL).
Sudbury Wolves centre Nathan Villeneuve will have to start packing his bags, as he has just been placed onto the roster for the CHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B.
Villeneuve from Sudbury and Eriks Mateiko from Saint John will step in to replace the injuries of Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat) & Ryder Ritchie (Prince Albert).
Nathan Villeneuve has had a sneaky good season this year. He hasn't gotten a ton of recognition for the draft, but he has 31 points on the season and has 24 points in his last 21 games.
In the Wolves lineup, Villeneuve has been bouncing between the second and third line centre spot. On a team full of centre-depth, Villeneuve has definitely earned his role.
He is a quick, visionary playmaking centre, he pays attention to the details of the game and does the little things right. Villeneuve also possesses a heavy shot release, and is able to create using his shot in the offensive zone.
Villeneuve was originally drafted by Sudbury 3rd overall in 2021, and has filled significant ice-time since entering the OHL.
The Wolves are finally starting to pick it up in the win column, sitting just one point out of first in the Eastern Conference. Villeneuve's particular success in the past couple of weeks has given them some offence from lower in the lineup, when they get most from their dominant first line.
Unlike many other draft prospects, Villeneuve hasn't gotten the opportunity to play top line minutes in Sudbury due to their depth.
At the CHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, Nathan Villeneuve will get the opportunity to put himself on the board as a top prospect in this draft. He needs to get more recognition among this draft class, and playing in this game will certainly earn him that.