Anaheim Ducks: Benoit-Olivier Groulx is Creating a lot of Buzz in Halifax

After signing an ELC with the Anaheim Ducks, prospect, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, has created quite a buzz since his return to the Halifax Mooseheads.

It was just one week ago that the Anaheim Ducks announced they had signed their 2018 2nd round draft pick, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, to a 3-year ELC. The 19-year-old French Canadian is entering his final season in the QMJHL, playing in his fourth year with the Halifax Mooseheads. Last season, his point totals exploded, registering 80 points (31g, 49a) in just 65 games.

After the Anaheim Ducks preseason and training camp, BO returned to Halifax to rejoin his team as they began their journey in pursuit of the coveted Memorial Cup. After last season’s defeat at the hands of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, the team has started strong. Thus far, Groulx and his two linemates have created quite a buzz in the seven games since he’s been back.

Centering the top line between Raphael Lavoie and Maxim Trepanier, the “Super Line”, as they’ve been dubbed, has led the team to a 7-4-0-0 record, losing only one game in the last seven. Since Groulx’s return, the trio has produced 26 points together in 7 games, averaging 6.5 points-per-game. If the trio stays on top of their production, they’re on track to register a combined 314 points during the 2019-20 season.

On Track to be the Highest Point Producer Since 1999-00

In just 7 games with Halifax, BO has registered 12 points. He is currently on track to have a 117 point season. If he continues on his current pace, this would make him the highest point producer the Mooseheads have had since Ramzi Abid (137p) and Brandon Reid (124p) during the 1999-00 season. Jonathan Drouin and Nikolaj Ehlers were the last two players to even top 100 points in Halifax, and both were first-round draft selections.

While his point totals could be impressive at the end of the season, Groulx has other qualities that make him a valuable asset to not only the Mooseheads but the Anaheim Ducks. Halifax’s special teams are impressive, especially their power-play units. The team has had 7 power-play goals since Groulx’s return. He, himself, has 4 power-play points on the season, including one goal and three helpers. The Ducks could learn a thing or two from the way they have set up their special teams, and maybe, in the future, Groulx can impart some of that wisdom upon them.

BO also has impressive stats in the faceoff circle. In 7 games, his FO% hasn’t dropped below 51%. On average, he is winning 57% of his faceoffs as the team’s 1C. In his seven appearances with Halifax, he has also registered 24 shots.

His S% (shooting percentage) may only be 20.8%, but he is statistically scoring more than his counterparts in the big club with Anaheim. Of course, the NHL is a completely different animal compared to the QMJHL, so it isn’t necessarily fair to compare his stats to those already playing with the Ducks. But, he isn’t afraid to put shots on net, something his fellow Ducks need to continue to improve on.

Groulx’s Path to the NHL Won’t be Easy

Signing an ELC with the team that drafted you is the first big step in making it to the NHL. Nevertheless, an ELC does not guarantee you a spot with the big club. However, despite his second-round draft status, if Groulx’s development continues the positive trend upwards, he is going to be an extremely valuable asset to the Anaheim Ducks.

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The future is already set with Trevor Zegras and Sam Steel as the 1-2 punch down the middle, but if you add Groulx into the mix, the Ducks could be destined for years of greatness. Still, although Groulx is showing signs of positive and healthy development, there are a few roadblocks he will have to endure on his way to the NHL.

There are currently two other prospects in the Anaheim Ducks prospect pool who Groulx will have to complete with if he wants to make the team full time in the next few years. Isac Lundestrom, who was taken in the first round by the Ducks the same year BO was drafted and already has NHL experience, and former Halifax Moosehead teammate and captain, Antoine Morand.

Neither Lundestrom or Morand have set their respective team’s on fire this season. Granted, Morand has only played in two AHL games, and Lundestrom has bounced between the AHL and NHL. Nevertheless, it won’t come down to who performs better at the lower levels. It will come down to who performs better on the big stage.

Although he grew up with a father who is a hockey coach, Groulx’s skill set is completely his own. He has proven to be a dynamic two-way forward who sees the ice well. His point totals are evidence that he can score. Over the past few years, he has allowed the growing pains and the adversity he’s faced to help him develop as one of the QMJHL’s top players. Groulx has shown significant improvement every season and he’s going to continue to thrive as the season in Halifax progresses.

Nevertheless, despite everything Groulx has going for him, both Lundestrom and Morand have something he does not. BO’s biggest downfall is his speed, and Lundestrom and Morand have always been considered strong skaters. At the rate the NHL is evolving, the game has become speed driven. His skating may not affect him much in the QMJHL, but as he transitions into the NHL, it could become an issue he may not be able to overcome.

That is why he must continue to work on his speed over the next few seasons. It isn’t going to come without a lot of hard work and challenges, but Groulx is a big believer that the Anaheim Ducks are the right organization for him because of their great reputation in developing their prospects.

It won’t be long before he trades in his Halifax red and green for the blue and orange of the San Diego Gulls. Groulx has worked on his speed over the offseason and is happy with his progression. Coach Kevin Dineen will have a big hand in helping him continue his development at the next level. If he can improve his speed out on the ice, it likely won’t be too long until we’re given a taste of what Groulx can do at the NHL level.

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