It’s about that time again – the QMJHL’s ‘Q Cup’ goes down in Montreal April 26-30. Labelled as a tournament that will showcase some of Eastern Canada’s best QMJHL Draft-eligible prospects, the event is sure to attract lots of important eyeballs.
In 2022, five (5) players from Newfoundland and Labrador attended the event. Here’s a blog post relating to the 2022 QMJHL Cup , and here’s what we had to say about last years NL’ers leading up to the event . The big fish NL’er at last years event was Marcus Kearsey, who was awarded the Q League’s Defensive Rookie of the Year this past week (article here). Who will step up at this years event? Only time will tell.
Lets take a look at the seven (7) prospects who will put on the equipment in 2 weeks time. Starting with a big man from Bay Roberts.
Jabez Seymour (6’2/180 lbs/South Kent Selects 15’s). Seymour is a big, strong man who can adjust his game to suit the needs of just about any coach. Seymour has plenty of skill as evidenced in his power play usage for Team NL at the Canada Winter Games, and can also play a defensive role if needed. Seymour checked Yukon forward Gavin McKenna well at the CWG, using his reach and work ethic to keep the WHL first overall pick contained. Seymour is not shy to play a physical brand of hockey, either. The big Centre could possibly be the first Newf off the board in June, and knowing the player and person, he would gladly seize the opportunity.
Ty Peddigrew (5’11/140 lbs/Bishop Kearney Selects). There might not be a more pure goal scorer in this entire draft class. Don’t believe me? Take a look at Peddigrew throwing one up under the bar on the man advantage vs Team PEI at the CWG . Peddigrew is a natural sniper, and has some edge to his game. Peddigrew understands where to find time and space in the offensive zone, a skill that a lot of players do not have in the day and age of speed speed speed. A strong Q Cup will have the BK Selects forward rocketing up draft boards in June.
Carter Arnold (6’/176 lbs/East Coast Blizzard U18 Major). Arnold is one of the many goaltending prospects born on ‘The Rock’ in the ’07 class (video of some of them here). Arnold had a very strong showing in his half of work at the QMJHL Prospects Game @ the Monctonian back in November, earning him Player of the Game honours. Arnold has the size and the moxie to play the position at the Major ‘A’ level; a quick study of him and you will notice how well the Portugal Cove native communicates with his team-mates on the ice. Arnold is a big game goaltender who will likely thrive in the big spots in Blaineville.
Noah Boland (5’11.5/162 lbs/Pinnacle Growlers U18 Major). Boland had a nice tuck in the Monctonian Prospects Game, and has been a consistent producer for the Growlers in 2022-23. Boland had 3 assists in 4 U18 Atlantic’s matches, good enough for 3rd amongst 2007-born players at the event behind Logan Roop and Lane Sim. Boland is a very solid 200-foot player who sees the ice well; a player who is really starting to show the confidence required to be a top-flight producer at the junior hockey level. Scouts need to keep a close eye on this player.
Ryan Dawe (6’2.5/180 lbs/Pinnacle Growlers U18 Major). Dawe joins Growler team-mate Noah Boland in Montreal. In a draft that – on the Quebec side – is a little smaller than in years past, the St. John’s native is a gigantic human being for 15 years old. Mechanically, Dawe’s forward skating stride is good and his offensive game grew as the year progressed. Dawe is very mature for his age, the type of player who likely wears a letter in junior hockey at age 19-20. Dawe reminds us a lot of former Tri-Pen Osprey defenceman Adam Pardy at this stage of development.
Will Carroll (5’11.5/163 lbs/Champions Academy). Carroll can play centre and wing effectively, as shown at the Canada Winter Games. A perennial captain for Team NL at the showcase events, Carroll possesses leadership abilities and will look to make things tough on opposing defenceman with his aggressive forechecking and north-south play. Carroll is no slouch on the offensive side of the puck, either – the forward has 59 points in 51 games played with Champions this season, per Elite Prospects
Patrick Lambe (5’11/166 lbs/Mount Academy U16). Make it 2 players from Bay Roberts who will be taking their games to the bright lights of Montreal at the end of the month! A minutes eater his entire career, Lambe plays much bigger than his vitals would indicate. Team NL coaches raved about Lambe’s overall game at the Canada Winter Games, and rightly so; the left-handed blueliner wins a lot of battles in all areas of the ice, and is tougher than a $2 T-Bone. Lambe made a few back-door plays @ the Winter Games that showcase his above-average hockey IQ – look out for the Mount Academy Saints Captain in two weeks time.
Need to re-watch Team NL Winter Games matches? Click here