Development can be a dirty word in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — as in if a player isn’t developing.
P.E.I. Rocket defenceman Matthew Hobbs doesn’t have that worry.
The 18-year-old rookie, a seventh-round pick in 2008 from Quebec midget AAA, is well-entrenched as a top-four blue-liner on the 11-8-1-2 squad as tonight the Rocket faces the Wildcats (12-7-2-1) in Moncton. Game time is 7 p.m.
Hobbs led all defensive rookies in Quebec junior AAA last season (16 goals, 20 assists, 46 games) with Saint-Jérome.
“It’s a big difference. I played at a level down last year,’’ said Hobbs after Rocket practice Thursday, “but I feel like I’ve transitioned into it. So far, so good.’’
Good for the Rocket, too, and needed.
Hobbs earned his slot on the depth chart in training camp and has done nothing to limit his ice time. He’s moved up a notch, too, usually facing opponents’ top line and working more on the power play.
And he’s formed a solid rookie rearguard combo with Czech Republic native Adam Polasek, P.E.I.’s first-round import pick this year.
But while Hobbs’ offence is steady (six points in 21 games) and has a nice touch on breakout passes, he knows his weaknesses.
“Gap control because the game is faster. (And) down low, winning the battles,’’ he said.
All in good time, said Eric Lavigne, Rocket head coach. Lavigne took over the Rocket from the fired Guy Chouinard in early October and is quick to pat Hobbs on the back.
“I’m really impressed with his game. Not like a rookie, he plays like a veteran. A very solid two-way defenceman,’’ said Lavigne. “He gets better week after week.’’
Lavigne sees Hobbs’ development in less the physical skills than the mental ones.
“Experience in game situations. (When it’s) time to pinch, time to join the rush.’’
P.E.I. is fourth in the Atlantic Division with 25 points, 18 points behind leader Saint John, and two points behind the Wildcats. The season series is tied 2-2. Each team is 1-1 in the other’s barn. Moncton won the last meeting 4-0 in Charlottetown.
And Hobbs, a Shawville, Que., native, shrugs off the NHL bypassing him in June's entry draft. 
"The chances of being drafted a pretty high, but the chances of playing in the NHL are slim to none," said the Grade 12 Colonel Gray student. "I'm focused on hockey, but I have to focus on school, too."
Jean-Philippe Mathieu (hand) and Benjamin Casavant (foot) return to the Rocket lineup tonight after missing eight and five games, respectively.
Marco Cousineau (6-8, 2.99 goals-against-average, .909 save percentage) starts in P.E.I.'s goal.
Chris Doyle's provincial court appearance scheduled for Thursday was postponed until Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. Doyle has yet to enter a plea after being charged with assault causing bodily harm and willful damage of property Sept. 25.

Rocket Notes: Brandon Street, a Grade 12 student at Colonel Gray high school, is the Rocket academic player of the month for October... Rocket Christmas stocking stuffer ticket packages and family flex packs are now available. Call the Civic Centre box office (629-6625) or the Rocket office (892-7349) for details and prices. Family flex packs can only be purchased at the Rocket office.

QMJHL Digest

Baie-Comeau forward sits for illegal bodycheck
Tuesday, the league suspended Baie-Comeau forward Guillaume Goulet four games for an illegal bodycheck against a Halifax player in a 4-1 loss to the Mooseheads last week.

Wildcats winger aggravates injury, listed day-to-day
Moncton left winger Kirill Kabanov missed the Wildcats game last week against Halifax after aggravating an old wrist injury.
He’s been fitted with a working cast and is awaiting further medical evaluation.
Kabanov is day-to-day and his status for tonight’s game against the P.E.I. Rocket (7 p.m., Moncton Coliseum) isn’t known.

Moosehead blue-liners expected to miss time
Halifax defencemen Konrad Abeltshauser and Garrett Clarke are out for the Mooseheads weekend’s games in Quebec with knee injuries and could be out much longer — perhaps up to six weeks.
Clarke, 17, spent last weekend on crutches and Abeltshauser, 17, has a mild MCL sprain of his right knee, a high ankle sprain and a potential meniscus cartilage tear.
The Mooseheads website said full results should be available late next week.
Abeltshauser is also nursing a fractured wrist from earlier in the season.
 
Murray River forward tops among ‘Q’ forwards
Moncton’s Louis Domingue, Halifax’s Mathieu Corbeil and Gatineau’s Maxime Clermont are ranked one-two-three, respectively, in the NHL Central Scouting Service’s latest rankings for QMJHL goalies released Tuesday.
Murray River native Brandon Gormley and his Moncton teammate Kirill Kabanov are first and second, respectively, among the 25 Q skaters listed. Cape Breton d-man Morgan Ellis from Ellerslie is rated 12th overall.
 
Sea Dogs may be hot team but can’t kill penalities
Despite winning 13 straight games, the Saint John Sea Dogs own the worst penalty kill in the league at 74 per cent. And in Saint John’s last nine games, 14 of the 17 goals scored against the Dogs came on the PK.
But Saint John leads the league with 43 points and a 21-4-1 record.
Sixty-two goals scored in 13 games (a hefty 4.7 goals-for per game average) versus 22 goals surrendered (a 1.7 goals-against per game average) will do that.

Compiled by Guardian sports reporter Charles Reid