Projection: Top-Nine Centerman

Projectable Skills: Rush Distribution, Working Off Contact, Off-Puck Spacing

Development Opportunities: Offensive Creativity

Branton is a no-nonsense type of centerman, one that loves to attack north-south both on and off the puck. He’s always looking to attack defenders head on as a puck-carrier, looking to drive vertically through seams to draw pressure inside before dishing off and driving the net to take defenders with him to create space up top. He’s highly effective off the cycle as well, fighting and spinning off checks while on the puck to work his way into space to extend his touches and responsibly distribute the puck to keep offensive zone sequences alive.

Branton’s ceiling largely depends on how much he grows in terms of on-puck creativity. He currently possesses all the tools to be a highly effective middle of the lineup player, but how he continues to expand his offensive skillet will determine how high up he plays in a QMJHL lineup.

Branton started off the tournament quietly but slowly came into his own and ended up centering one of the top lines of the tournament alongside Jayden Napon and Alexy Lafleur. He was the primary puck transporter on his line, consistently driving play in the right direction in the transition game by driving the middle of the ice, dishing off wide then driving the net to push back defenders, create space up high and open up passing seams for his linemates. He was pretty efficient off-puck in transition as well, working his way into space to catch passes in stride and attack downhill with speed in order to get shots off while in motion. He also had some strong sequences below the goal line in the offensive zone, using his footwork to slip away from pressure along the boards, work his way into space off the cycle and extend offensive zone pressure for his line.

As we continue to uncover 2009-born skaters from this North American class, Eastern Canada continues to represent well, and Maxwell Branton is yet another example of such. The native of Newfoundland played with excellent speed, gaining separation and creating space for himself in transition by quickly changing direction, stringing together quick crossovers, and processing the game quickly when impeded upon to dance around bodies and sticks with fluid puck handles all while scanning the ice and locating lanes and passing options. His ability to continually seek routes, and attack off the rush was one of his best assets, turning what appeared to be a bit of a stalemate at times within games, into scoring chances seemingly out of nowhere. His overall compete and hustle around the net and along the boards was admirable. A strong ability to absorb contact, get body leverage, and fend off checkers along with on occasion force opponents off pucks allowed him to control play from below the goal line, pulling in defenders, and opening lanes to the slot. With the overall athleticism, power, spee

Branton opened the scoring with a quick snap shot from the top of the right circle which I thought was rewarding for him as he spent his prior shifts going to work below the goal line, extending offensive zone sequences using his quick footwork to slip away from defenders and showing good control of the puck under pressure at the same time. His assertiveness inside the offensive zone made him a constant presence below the hashmarks and around the blue paint which allowed him to garner good looks in the slot that included an impressive deflection on a point shot that nearly found its way past the goaltender who ended up making a nice save. He would pick up an assist on his team’s fourth first period goal to come away with the two point performance in this one.

Early in the game, Branton was assertive with the puck, attacking opposing defensemen with head on with speed and firing pucks to the net. He was able to gather a lot of speed in his crossovers that he combined with his size to be a scoring threat, whether it was through the neutral zone or when carrying the puck around the offensive zone. He used his size to protect the puck against opponents by widening his stance to create a shield around the puck and he was able to absorb contact well to keep the puck moving around the o-zone. He had a few scoring chances from nice setups from teammates Snyder and Pape but wasn`t able to beat the Shattuck netminder. He controlled the puck well below the goal line and was engaged in puck battles which is what led to the first Penguins goal when he set up Snyder from behind the net to tie the game up at 1.

The second 5-for-5 game score recipient of this match, Maxwell Branton of St. John’s, Newfoundland, had a terrific game, playing with elite pace and speed, separating himself from the pack very early on, both literally and figuratively. He had plenty of great scoring chances as a result of dating to the net, beating everyone else to open ice, along with being able to quickly change directions, evade coverage at the last second, and get his stick on a puck around the crease. In my notes I have about four-to-five references of great scoring chances, almost all as a result of being first to the ice and having a quick release on his shot from high-danger areas of the ice. He eventually was able to get on the scoresheet with an assist by pulling away from the Boston Jr. Eagles checker in the neutral zone, gaining the line with speed, and on a 2-on-1 froze the goalie and slipped the pass over the Alexander Sargo to give his team the 2-1 lead. Branton then doubled-down, and with the momentum swinging the Penguins way, he forced a puck free at the defensive blueline while shorthanded and showed an excellent burst of speed away-and-around everyone, converged alone on the goaltender, and softly elevated the puck over the netminder to give his team a 4-1 lead. Maxwell Branton will be a name to watch for the 2025 QMJHL Draft.