It’s (almost) that time of year again – the QMJHL Draft takes place virtually on Monday, July 4 2022 (click here for QMJHL YouTube channel where the Draft will take place), with the annual Draft lottery taking place tonight @ 630 pm EST on RDS (click here for details)
Last summer, I posted a Mock 2021 Draft right here . Lets take a closer look at how close I was, and how each selection fared in 2021-22. Keep in mind that just because a player didn’t have a gigantic rookie season in the QMJHL doesn’t mean he will not turn out to be a giant success in the league. Most drafts shouldn’t be analyzed until at least 3 years down the road. But for the sake of some couch reading, lets throw something together!
AP’s 1st Pick – Ethan Gauthier
Actual 1st Pick – Ethan Gauthier
Analysis: Gauthier was the consensus first overall pick in the QMJHL Draft, and the offensive forward did not disappoint the Sherbrooke Phoenix in his rookie campaign. Gauthier just missed the 40 point plateau for a Phoenix team that went from the outhouse to the penthouse in the standings; Sherbrooke are still in the runnings to win the QMJHL Presidents Cup, but have a daunting playoff matchup ahead of them in the Charlottetown Islanders (AP’s Pick to win the QMJHL months ago, YouTube video to prove it here). Gauthier has popped 4 points in 7 playoff games for the Phoenix (it’s so hard calling them the Phoenix as I am used to the Castors) and will need to be sharp to help the blu shirts knock off a wagon from the bright red rock.
AP’s 2nd Pick – Alexis Bourque (drafted 7th by BLB, finished with a 6-14-20 line across 42 games)
Actual 2nd Pick – Tyler Peddle
Analysis: After spending a year at Shattuck St. Mary’s, one would have assumed that Peddle would not have reported to Drummondville after they traded with Cape Breton to acquire the 2nd pick in the draft. Peddle had a solid rookie season for the Volts, racking up a 17-18-35 stat line across 65 regular season games. The Volts were bounced in round 1 of the Q Playoffs, but with such a young team (Peddle was one of 4 first round picks for the Volts in 2021 and one of 7 first round picks in the Volts lineup in the past 2 drafts), this team will be knocking on the door again next year.
AP’s 3rd Pick – Vince Collard
Actual 3rd Pick – Vince Collard
Analysis: Right on the money with this choice to the Drakkar! Collard played 65 games for the boatmen in 2021-22, collecting 8 goals and 12 assists along the way. Collard had a solid Capital City Challenge as well, notching 5 points in 5 games for Team Canada Black (Gauthier and Peddle combined for 15 points at the Challenge).
AP’s 4th Pick – Luke Coughlin
Actual 4th Pick – Luke Coughlin
Analysis – Up to this point, I look like a Draft Analyst like Mel Kiper or Bucky Brooks in the NFL (it drops off after this I promise). Coughlin played regular minutes for the ‘Nics in 2021-22, and chipped in offensively with 18 points in 55 games. The ‘Nics had a sneaky good playoff run, knocking off the Memorial Cup hosts the Saint John Sea Dogs and taking a game from the top-ranked Quebec Remparts in the second round. Look out for the ‘Nics next year, as they could return everyone on their back end in August.
AP’s 5th Pick – Tyler Peddle
Actual 5th Pick – Dylan Mackinnon
Analysis – Mackinnon played behind a defence that featured numerous NHL Draft Picks (or future draft picks) which limited his opportunities on the man advantage. Mackinnon played 52 games for the Moose in 2021-22, and will likely take the next step in 2022-23 with at least 1 D aging out and 1-2 potential graduates due to pro or overage restrictions.
AP’s 6th Pick – Dylan Mackinnon
Actual 6th Pick – Mathieu Cataford
Analysis – Cataford had a strong rookie year for the green red and white, pushing a 17-29-46 stat line across 62 games. Cataford produced everywhere he went in 2021-22, notching 5 points in 5 playoff games vs a strong Bathurst team and another 7 points in 5 CC Challenge games. Halifax may have found a gem here.
AP’s 7th Pick – M.O Beaudry (drafted 16th overall by Drummondville)
Actual 7th Pick – Alexis Bourque
Analysis: Beaudry was the top-ranked QC defenceman on my board last season, and I think that Drummondville were speaking my language this entire draft with this choice. The Volts traded into the first round to select Beaudry, who went on to have a solid second half of the season for Drummondville. Look for Beaudry to attempt to fill the loss of Jacob Dion on Drummondville’s top PP unit next season.
AP’s 8th Pick – Emile Perron
Actual 8th Pick – Emile Perron
Analysis – Perron played in 54 games for the Eagles, who struggled mightily in 2021-22 and will likely win the draft lottery this evening. If the Eagles win said lottery, look for the boys from Sydney to draft a big righty to play with Perron in the future (cough…Lavoie…cough…)
AP’s 9th Pick – Matis Ouellet (drafted 32nd overall by Ch’town)
Actual 9th Pick – Jordan Tourigny
Analysis – Gotta hand this one to Shawinigan – who always seem to be competitive – with this selection. In a year where grainy tape was often a scouts best way to view players, picking a player who can come into your lineup and produce immediately on a contending team is mighty good scouting work. Tourigny gets better every week it seems, and has 4 points and a plus-4 rating so far in the playoffs. Ouellet – on the other hand – was traded to Cape Breton and strung together 11 points in his first year in the QMJHL. You never like to see a guy get traded in his first season, but in Charlottetown’s case, taking a run at a President’s Cup means you likely have to give up some top draft capital.
AP’s 10th Pick – Nathan Baril (drafted 18th by Baie Comeau)
Actual 10th Pick – Mael St-Denis
Analysis – this pick is a wash so far, as both Baril and St Denis played a full contingent of games for their respective clubs in 2021-22 but neither jumped off the page. This is a wait-and-see for me, especially for the Drakkar who will look to build their team off Collard, Baril, and their pair of top-5 picks in the upcoming draft.
AP’s 11th Pick – Matteo Rotondi
Actual 11th Pick – Matteo Rotondi
Analysis – Rotondi led all Maritime-born defenceman in T.O.I late into November, and finished the year with 12 assists in 52 games played. The Volts look like they are set on the blue line next year, with all 6 of their defenceman being drafted inside the top-40 picks of their respective drafts. Don’t be surprised to see Drummondville go heavy on the forwards in July’s draft.
AP’s 12th Pick – Mathieu Cataford
Actual 12th Pick – Maxime Coursol
Analysis – I didn’t have Coursol in my 1st round, but apparently I f^*ked that up royally. Coursol played 51 games for the Oceanic, registering 2 GWG’s and a plus-1 rating. Rimouski’s drafting paid immediate dividends this season – kudos to their scouting department for using their bevy of first round picks to their advantage.
AP’s 13th Pick – Emmanuel Vermette (drafted 35th by Chicoutimi)
Actual 13th Pick – Justin Boisselle
Analysis – I liked Vermette in this spot, and he went on to reward the Sags with 16 points in 64 games played. One would think that his point totals are a little lucky – Vermette scored by 16% of his shots on goal this season – nonetheless, Chicoutimi are going to be good in a few years time. The Sags hold a handful of first round picks in July, and 8 of their 14 rostered forwards played their first QMJHL season in 2021-22.
AP’s 14th Pick – Justin Boisselle
Actual 14th Pick – Justin Gendron
Analysis – Boisselle went a pick ahead of my projection, with Gendron being selected slightly earlier than my projection. Imagine Gendron in Moncton’s U18 AAA line-up this season? The Telus Cup champs would have been even better – a scary thought to opposing goalies.
AP’s 15th Pick – Jesse Carriere
Actual 15th Pick – Kyle Hagen
Analysis – This pick was way off my board, the CSR board, and a lot of boards except for Rimouski’s. What I think happened here was Rimouski – assuming they had a super young team and would not be competitive this year – would trade one or both of their 2003 goalies at the deadline which would open the door for Hagen. However, the ‘Nics outperformed their expectations this season. Hagen had a 7.00 GAA and a .781 SV PCT at the Capital City Challenge – that said, lets give this kid some time to develop.
AP’s 16th Pick – Justin Gendron
Actual 16th Pick – M.O Beaudry
AP’s 17th Pick – Mael St Denis
Actual 17th Pick – Loic Goyette
Analysis – Goyette split time with the Volts and the U18AAA Laval Royal – it will be interesting to see if the 6’1, 180 lb centre can make the permanent jump to the QMJHL this coming season.
AP’s 18th Pick – Jake Todd (drafted 40th by Chicoutimi)
Actual 18th Pick – Nathan Baril
Analysis – Todd reminded me of a Patrick Kane-type in 2020-21 with his ability to go east-west and see the ice upon entry into the offensive zone. Whether or not he told teams he wanted to go the college route remains to be known, however, Todd didn’t dominate the NS U18 league like I thought he would in 2021-22. The speedy Baril was a steal at this pick, in my opinion
AP’s 19th Pick – Thomas Hebert (drafted 30th by Gatineau)
Actual 19th Pick – Nathan Grenier
Analysis – Grenier was traded to the Moncton Wildcats by the Sea Dogs, a move that doesn’t surprise anyone as the Sea Dogs love to wheel and deal (players, coaches, you name it). Grenier showed promise at the U18AAA level this year, putting up some solid offensive numbers for the St-Francois Blizzard. Hebert went a similar path in 2021-22, playing U18AAA in Quebec but managed to sneak into Gatineau’s lineup for 1 game.
AP’s 20th Pick – Bradley Nadeau (drafted 115th by Rimouski)
Actual 20th Pick – Logan Crosby
Analysis – This pick was waaaaay off my board, but one would have to trust the Halifax Mooseheads (they did draft me 190th back in 2002, great value at that spot if you ask me…jokes). Crosby saw mostly 4th line duty in 2021-22, but showed some promise at the Capital City Challenge and is a late birthday (December baby) which makes his development path that much more intriguing. Nadeau was a NB kid who went on to win the Fred Page Cup with the Penticton Vees this year, and will likely be a highly-touted NCAA D1 commodity in short order (I actually liked him higher than my mock draft indicated, but the NCAA talk pushed him to 20).
Guys I whiffed on totally
Etienne Morin. I liked him early in the 2nd round, but man, this guy can play! I don’t even think the Wildcats saw a 33 point rookie season coming down the pipe when they pulled the trigger on the CIH product (shout out to my boy Ryan Lauzon at CIH) with the 21st pick overall.
Luke Patterson. If a re-draft happens today, I take back my mid-round grade on Patterson. What a heck of a season this kid had for the Moncton Flyers. Good on you young man. The CB Eagles get a good hockey player next year in Patterson, and with a pair of 2004-born goalies, things are already looking up on the eastern side of the Cape next year.