The final phase of the 2022 QMJHL Draft process begins this week in the Montreal, Quebec area and promises to be a world-class showcase of ’06 born talent. NL will send five (5) players to the event, so lets take a closer look at each.
Marcus Kearsey
Club Team: RNS Riverhawks
Team Color in Q Cup: Blue
What to Look For: Kearsey is coming off a season that saw the 5’9, 150 lb defenceman record 15+ assists in his first year with the Riverhawks. Kearsey is known for his elite skating ability – the west coast NL native acts like a 4th forward most times, jumping up in the rush with ease and picking his spots to rush with the puck when no better options present themselves. Kearsey trusts his skating, which allows him to create tight neutral zone gaps – almost daring opponents to challenge him wide. The QMJHL Team Blue has 5 left-handed shooting defenceman in this tournament, and it would not surprise me if Kearsey was asked to play his off side. Kearsey’s RNS head coach Jeff Lewis has sung his praises all season, applauding the 2006’s work ethic, maturity and combination of skating and skill.
Matty Butler
Club Team: Pinnacle Growlers
Team Color in Q Cup: Blue
What to Look For: Butler is coming off a noteworthy U18 Major Atlantics performance this past weekend, one which saw the Centreman record 5 goals and 1 assist in 4 games for the Pinnacle Growlers. Butler has the ability to put his proverbial dancing shoes on, juking and jiving through defenders while scanning the ice for a passing option. Known more for his playmaking ability, Butler showed the rest of Atlantic Canada that he is willing to go to dirty space to score goals at the Atlantics and was most definitely in the runnings for top forward at the event (eventually won by Halifax Macs forward Jacob Fletcher, who was very deserving). Butler was the NL U18 Major League’s Rookie of the Year, and laid waste to local high school hockey with the Holy Heart Highlanders. If Butler continues the tear that he is on in 2021-22 at the Q Cup, a high draft selection will likely be in store.
Kyle Greene
Club Team: BK Selects 15U
Team Color in Q Cup: Green
What to Look For: Greene swapped teams halfway through the season, electing to sign with the powerhouse BK Selects which turned out to be a good decision. Greene’s BK Selects 15’s team advanced to the national Semi-Finals this spring, with Greene racking up a 5-14-19 stat line across 40 games (per Elite Prospects). Greene – whos older brother Ryan will likely be a top-2 round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft – possesses the same skill and creativity as his older brother. Greene will be seen with his head up more often than not, and is very good at using his eyes to manipulate the defence. Greene’s QMJHL Draft outcome will likely come down to his choice of hockey path; with his older brother being a Boston University commit and a Green Bay Gambler (USHL) veteran, it would not be a shock to see ‘Kyle G’ continuing his hockey journey south of the 49th parallel.
Carter Hynes
Club Team: Notre Dame Hounds U18AAA
Team Color in Q Cup: Green
What to Look For: Hynes – a 6’2, 180 lb mobile defender – has grown his game exponentially since his move to Wilcox, Saskatchewan this fall. Hynes point totals are nothing to jump up and down about – 1-13-14 in 36 GP – but the big lefty sees the ice very well and may be one of the best puck movers in the Atlantic Canadian class. Hynes has developed a more physical element to his game in recent tape, using his long arms to neutralize opponents in the defensive zone corners and stinging would-be forecheckers to create a little extra time and space for his partner. Hynes may have the biggest ‘who is that guy’ scout-y moments among the Atlantic Canadian prospects in this event, as playing in Saskatchewan for a team that struggled in 2021-22 may have limited scouts viewings of him this year.
Ewan Cleary
Club Team: Pinnacle Growlers
Team Color in Q Cup: Green
What to Look For: Cleary’s 200-foot game and intelligence away from the puck will stand out in an event like this one, where players have the puck a lot less and have to make faster, efficient decisions under a great deal of pressure. Cleary’s point totals in 2021-22 are deceiving; Growlers coach Trevor Budgell had oodles of PP talent on his roster, which limited the rookies TOI on the man advantage. Cleary can play Centre and both wing positions- it will be interesting to see where Q Green coaches use the CBS native in this tournament, but one thing is for certain, Cleary will be reliable in whatever role is needed. Growlers coach Trevor Budgell leaned on Cleary as if he were a veteran this season, and it would not surprise anyone to see the QMJHL Green coaching staff do much of the same at this tournament.