It started with surgery for appendicitis, something that forced Patrice Cormier to miss all of training camp.
It continued with a concussion and shoulder injury that sidelined the Rimouski Oceanic centre for about one-quarter of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League regular season.
The Cap-Pele native lost out on opportunities to play for Canada at the world under-18 championship last summer and suit up in the 2008 Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game. The latter event showcases the CHL's top 40 prospects for the 2008 National Hockey League draft, which takes place tomorrow and Saturday at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.
"It's a tough call on this one,'' said Tim Cranston, Cormier's agent, when asked where he thinks his client will be selected in the 2008 NHL draft.
"If Patrice Cormier had been healthy all season and played in the world under-18 championship and played in the CHL Top Prospects Game, you would be asking me `Where is he going to go in the first round?' That would be the question, but because of circumstances we're into this unknown. He had what scouts call a limited viewing year.
International Scouting Services offers this assessment of him: "Cormier has missed significant time due to injuries in his first two (QMJHL) seasons. We feel his development has been seriously affected by these injuries. However, we see a lot of upside in this package of size and skill. Potential draft day steal.''