The 2022 QMJHL Final Draft List was revealed today by the QMJHL CSR – to view the complete list, please click here https://theqmjhl.ca/article/2022-qmjhl-draft-csr-unveils-its-final-list-of-the-season
How this article works – based on a players numerical or alphabetical ranking, we will mention players. For example, if Player A is ranked 90th and he is available at pick #90, we will mention him along with a little reason why. The first 5 rounds we will go with one player from each round with an honorable mention, followed by C’s, D’s, and E’s
*** Disclaimer *** This article is done for fun, to promote the QMJHL Draft List/the upcoming QMJHL Draft which happens in early July, to promote NL-born players, and to provide some insight on guys who I really like at their current CSR ranking. It does not mean that I don’t like other guys ranked in that particular round. Thousands of man hours go into making this list, and I respect the work that our CSR team puts in year in year out to put this piece together so by no means is this a critique article.
Round 1…
If he’s available at Pick #11, I’d take Will Shields. This would be tremendous value here for a pure goal scorer who can change the complexion of the game with one shot. Shields is a guy who you won’t notice for two periods, but all of a sudden, he’s blowing one by you post and in and the game has changed. Don’t be surprised if Shields scores 50 in the QMJHL some day; the BK Selects sure liked his 70+ this year (he led the USA in scoring). Then – for good measure – draft Matty Butler later (see below) and have a dynamic duo in a couple years time. Put a big, strong, fast, tough winger with plus hands with those two in 2024-25 and look out!
Honourable Mention: Xavier Veilleux @ 9. Safe pick who I could see playing in the league for a long time.
Round 2…
If he’s available at Pick #20, I’d take Bill Zonnon. If this guy is available outside the top-10 in this draft, I’d take him! The Northwood Prep star is big, strong, fast, has a great motor, handles the puck well, has good vision with it and knows where to go without it. Zonnon torched a couple defenders with speed and finesse at the Q Cup in Montreal back in April; his skating stride is a little wide, but that wouldn’t stop me from drafting him very high.
Honorable Mention: Marcus Kearsey @ 28. There’s no way this kid falls to 28 after his stellar Q Cup. Kearsey is ranked in my first round, as I will post a first round mock draft on here in June
Round 3…
If he’s available at Pick #51, I’d take Lincoln Waugh. Waugh is a smart defender who sees the ice well when the rock is on his stick. Waugh had close to a point-per-game in his rookie season with the Charlottetown Knights, and followed that up with 4 points in 4 games at the Atlantics. Waugh averaged 3+ minutes TOI on the PP this season, and I would imagine that – with development – he’s on a major junior power play in time.
Honorable Mention: Eric Halliday @ 42. Halliday does a lot of things well, and has the mobility that is coveted at the next level these days.
Round 4…
If he’s available at Pick #72, I’d take Sam Ledrew. Ledrew is a pure goal scorer with one of the best one-timers in this entire draft class. Put him on the left flank on the PP and let him blast away. For a guy who grew about 8 inches in a year, Ledrew is not awkward and skates better than advertised. The Halifax Macs winger had a pair of beauty snipes @ the Monctonian Prospects game, and continued his offensive barrage with 11 tucks at the most important time of year… the playoffs.
Honorable Mention: Loic Mburanumwe @ 65. If I can draft a 6’2 172 lb right-handed D who skates well and is above-average in the decision-making department at pick 65, I’m going to jump at it.
Round 5…
If he’s available at Pick #79, I’d take Matty Butler. This player continues to prove to everyone that he can produce at any level. U15 AAA he’s too small – did well there. U18 AAA he’s too small – Rookie of the Year, dominant Atlantic’s. Q Cup he’s too small – had a terrific tournament. I’m sure there will be naysayers when he plays in the Q – he’s too small – but he will do well there too, after he goes to Shattuck and… he’s too small… lights it up there. Size or no size, Butler is smart with and without the puck; plain and simple. He’s also feisty and tough.
Honorable Mention… Samuel Beauchemin @ 86. Why not go all-in on the former NHL’ers son? Beauchemin isn’t the biggest guy on the ice by any stretch, but he created offence @ the Q Cup and has some scoring touch.
C (Rounds 6-8)…
If he’s available in the mid-rounds, I’d take Carson Griffin. Griffin is a big-bodied winger who has nifty hands and is not shy – in any way – to cause a ruckus around the opponents goal. I even witnessed Griffin take a run at another teams goalie at the Q Cup when he decided to come out and play the puck – ya gotta love it. Get this kid a power skating coach over the next couple of summers and watch the 6’2 power forward turn into something. Honourable mention to Griffin’s Knights team mate Ross Campbell, who had a great Atlantic’s and a productive campaign from start to finish.
NL boys as C’s; Carter Hynes. Hynes has a big body, a long stick and – when you watch tape on the Notre Dame Hounds prospect – he’s actually quite smart. There is value to be had in the mid-rounds with this player for sure!
D/E (Later Rounds)…
If he’s available in the late rounds, I’d take Liam Noble. I am going to continue to throw Noble’s hat in the ring here – I am not sure of his plans with regards to going college or the Q, but one thing I do know is Noble had a heck of a second half, and followed it up with a good Atlantic’s. Noble is physically mature at 6’1 185, and in my eyes, he could very well be a mid-rounder. Noble has a lot of skill and has learned to play a sound 200-foot game under Mark Lee and co. A draft and stash for me.
NL boys ranked as D/E’s; Ewan Cleary (reliable, positional-versatile forward), Jaxsen Healey (big, strong and physical D-man), Kyle Greene (smart winger with good puck skills), Liam Dutcher (playmaking, fast forward), Adam Currie (If you wait to draft a goalie, why not Currie? Had some tremendous games in ’21-22), Ryan Loveless (great Monctonian, high skill/scoring touch), Cole Cooper (big right-handed D with above-average mobility), Nic Devereaux (big right-handed D with offensive flair and a hard shot), Nolan Avery (5’11 175 lb winger with a plus shot), Spencer Caines (pure goal scorer), Will Patey (sneaky good skater), Sean Hogan (Goalie of the Tournament @ U18 Atlantic’s), Kyle Tucker (fast winger with plus vision)
Total NL-Born Players on the QMJHL Draft List: 17
(5-Year Average) NL Born Players Drafted: 7
2021-22 NL Born Players Drafted: 3 (Matteo Rotondi Round 1 Drummondville, Michael Strapp Round 6 Bathurst, Keegan Warren Round 14 Moncton)