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Habs Top 25 Under 25: #21 – Gabriel Dumont

Picked 139th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, C/RW Gabriel Dumont slips from No. 18 this time last year, to No. 21.

Overall amongst Habs prospects, Dumont ranks 14th by Hockey’s Future and was thought to be a sleeper pick by the USAToday’s Kyle Woodlief prior to being drafted by the Habs.

After a full season with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2010-11, the twenty year-old scored 18 points (5 goals) in 64 regular season games, far off the totals he put together in the QMJHL.

His playoff numbers however were more impressive with 9 points (6 goals) in 20 games. Known as a pesky and determined defensive forward, you’d almost think he channels Claude Lemieux, less the diving, come playoff time.


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Strengths:  Dumont has an impressive awareness when out on the ice and is a feisty and gritty player. Don’t let his 5’10 180lb frame fool you, he keeps his feet moving, making him a difficult player to check.

Dumont is also a warrior when it comes to his play, especially during times when it’s time to step up, When drafted, he was characterized by Canadiens scouting director Trevor Timmins as, “a heart and soul player.” His character and determination was reinforced by his former coach with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, and during the 2010 playoffs with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Guy Boucher.

“Dumont is a machine,” Boucher said in 2009 (TSN). “Gabriel played the tournament (Memorial Cup) despite a serious shoulder injury, an ankle sprain, a broken toe, a knee injury, two muscle strains, muscular elongations to two fingers and a wrist injury. You say a machine? That’s an understatement! “

Dumont is also an excellent penalty killer and defensive forward, and was considered the best PK man in the QMJHL during his last season (2009-10).

Weaknesses: Despite his small size, his skating ability lacks the explosiveness you’d see in most top-six forwards of his size. He counters that with his energetic stamina, and hard work, but an improvement here will be needed to get to the next level.

Analysis: A pair of our voting panelists, HabsWorld’s Brian Larose and Hockey Inside Out contributor Robert Rice, both raised concern over Dumont’s offensive contributions, citing only one fully explosive offensive season in the Q. Both agreed that Dumont needs to step it up in his sophomore year if he ever wants a legit NHL opportunity.

On the other hand, Jacques Martin, who takes work ethic into strong consideration, might take a look at Dumont if the need for a feisty bottom six player, in an emergency situation, comes along.


Introduction #23 – Alain Berger #22 – Joonas Nattinen #21 Gabriel Dumont #20 – ???

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