A long and winding road: The Bailey Peach Story
A Canβt Miss Prospect
by Craig Eagles originally posted on firstdownsportspodcast.com
It was my first year with the QMJHL Central Scouting Agency and I remember traveling to Blainville-Boisbriand for the Gatorade Challenge. At that time I was also working for Rogers TV as a colour analyst covering the QMJHL. I was with Rogers in that capacity for about three years, but this was my first major scouting trip. I had joined the CSR at the mid-way point of the season. It was my first chance to see players from other provinces play. I knew that Rogers was going to cover the draft that year because it was in Saint John, New Brunswick.
I drilled down on all the players that we had listed in the first three rounds to potentially enhance the coverage of the draft. Obviously, Bailey Peach was one player that was ranked very high. He was a canβt miss prospect really. Itβs always great to look back on old scouting reports, but this what I wrote on Peach from that weekend.
Bailey Peach: βPotentially the best release and hands in tight in the draft, explosive player, dynamic scoring winger tremendous speed to the outside, isnβt afraid to go to dirty areas, great compete level and relentless, has to work on defensive side of his game, but is accountable and responsible, great one on one skills.β
Projection: Can be a Top 6 fwd on any team next year and can probably score at least 15 goals in the right situation. Bright future ahead for this player needs to get stronger to ensure he wins puck battles, great work ethic.β
Canβt miss prospect is one of those scouting labels that are often times unfair.
Unfortunately, things didnβt workout the way a lot of people had thought or projected they would for Peach in the QMJHL.Read more »