The expectations for Omaha Lancers defenseman Mathieu Brisson were high entering the 2009-10 season. The Quebec native was one of the top-scoring defensemen in the Quebec midget AAA ranks in 2008-09, was the eighth overall pick of the 2008 USHL Futures Draft, a second-round pick in the 2008 QMJHL Draft (and was considered by many to be a top-ten pick for the 2008 QMJHL Draft prior to Brisson indicating he was considering the college route), and was listed as a "Player to Watch" by Hockey Canada prior to the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. However, he got off to a slow start in the USHL, appearing to struggle with the pace of the play at times. By December, though, it was apparent that Brisson had turned the corner and was successfully adjusting to the caliber of play in the USHL, as he was moving the puck much more reliably, making plays, displaying confidence with the puck, and also finding more success engaging opponents at the blueline. While it's unlikely Brisson will average a point per game the rest of the season, if he continues to build on a successful end to the first half of the regular season, he'll certainly re-establish himself as a solid mid-round pick for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

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