My January List for the 2018 QMJHL Junior Draft

[scoutman1]

I would post this draft in the QMJHL section but hardly anyone goes on that board.

this is really a strong strong draft, each team will have a very different list from the next, from pick 6 on is pretty much going to be totally different for every team with guys in the 2nd round being able to fill in for 1st round. This is my version of how I like the players not giving away team scouting.

Players like Lawrence, DesRoches and Quillan are for sure going NCAA so they will not be picked unless a team like Halifax, Saint John, Moncton, Rimouski, Quebec throw some big things at the player. I have heard things about Mark Hillier, Ethan Landry, Brandon Walker and Alexander David going as well but until I speak to those guys (which will be after the season) I will not know for sure.

1. Josh Lawrence—F—Selects Hockey Acad 5’09/165 34 21 37 58
2. William Villeneuve—D—Magog 6’00/152 31 07 20 27
3. Hendrix Lapierre—F—Gatineau 5’10/157 25 12 30 42
4. Patrick Guy—F—Magog 5’08/150 30 20 24 44
5. Lukas Cormier—D—Moncton 5’09/145 24 07 22 29
6. Thomas Bordeleau—F—Phenix 5’09/165 29 18 28 46
7. Alex Drover—F—Halifax 5’10/170 31 25 26 51
8. Jeremie Biakabutuka—D—CCL 6’03/183 31 08 09 17
9. Jeremie Poirier—D—Grenadiers 6’01/172 30 02 23 25
10. Pier-Olivier Roy—F—Levis 5’09/150 30 11 27 38
11. Charles-Antoine Lavallee—G—St Hyac 6’01/194 08 06 2.40 .919
12. Brady Burns—F—Valley 5’08/145 26 13 26 39
13. Sonny Kabatay—F—Cape Breton Trades 5’09/156 27 13 19 32
14. Antoine Coulombe—G—Levis 6’00/185 09 05 2.58 .904
15. Brandon Walker—D—LSL 5’09/161 30 06 13 19
16. Mark Hillier—F—St Andrew’s College 5’11/155 14 02 07 09
17. Olivier Coulombe—F—Levis 6’00/170 26 16 08 24
18. Mavrik Bourque—F—Trois Riv 5’09/150 31 16 16 32

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Marchall Lessard—F—Magog 5’09/165 28 16 15 31
2. Charles Beaudoin—F—Magog 6’00/165 31 20 09 29
3. Lucas Mercuri—F—Chateauguay 6’02/183 30 11 19 30
4. William Provost—F—Amos 5’08/178 30 13 19 32
5. Justin Gosselin—D—Levis 5’10/160 30 09 09 18
6. Elliot Desnoyers—F—St Hyacinthe 5’11/170 30 08 15 23
7. Ethan Landry—F—Halifax 5’09/142 26 14 17 31
8. Jacob Quillan—F—Dartmouth 5’07/165 23 08 17 25
9. Charlie Desroches—D—Selects 15U 5’10/156 35 08 17 25
10. Alexandre David—F—Newbridge U16 5’08/163 14 12 14 26
11. Zachary Roy—F—Chateauguay 6’00/170 27 17 09 26
12. Isaac Belliveau—D—Magog 5’11/145 31 01 14 15
13. Olivier Adam—G—Magog 5’11/138 10 07 2.72 .901
14. William Dufour—F—Blizzard 6’01/170 26 10 14 24
15. Owen Stammer—F—CCL 5’07/150 31 12 13 25
16. Gianni-Adriano Lombardo—F—Montreal 5’09/176 28 07 07 14
17. Nicolas Daigle—F—Levis 5’08/146 29 09 12 21
18. William Dagenais—F--Gatineau 6’01/176 29 09 10 19

Click to read more...

 

[Wintersun]

I like your list a lot more than last time! Only thing that really stands out to me is Walker who shouldn't be picked in the top 3 rounds and Beaudoin, Provost and Mercuri being about 5ish ranks too low in my opinion. Not sure how Daigle and Stammer translate to the next level but I like them. They're very small and lack strength and aren't speed demon, so that's tough to say.

I think Beaudoin may end up a top 5 pick. Has all the tools and has been progressing big time over the season. Think he's separated himself from his teammate Lessard by a good margin. Provost is good but his play away from the puck is concerning. As for Mercuri, I'm not too high on him but he's got the tools.

What do you think about Bourgault? I think he's better than Daigle a fair deal from Levis.

 

[scoutman1]

I'm not going to lie....Walker is never liked but two scouts from my team who are based in Montreal keep telling me I see him in a bad game, I saw about 5 games of LSL and never liked him any game but put him high based on what they said, nice to see someone else confirm what I watched, my job is Maritime Players but I go to Quebec once a month to catch a big string of games to compare my guys....Walker I found too weak on the puck, made bad rushing decisions and was a liability in his own end.....Beaudoin is a guy early on I did not notice then one my last trip he made a big impression on me, he has really slick hands and a great shot and good size...my team has him mid first round, for my personal rankings I put him late 2nd just based on lack of seeing him, but I have another 2 to 3 swings through Quebec and will get to see him 2 or so more times.

Bourgault is was decent when I watched him, smart player, has good on the ice, opens up space for himself very well, good speed as well, has good IQ in the offensive zone. Provost is a let down this year for me, he has all the high end skill, but is weak and bad away from the puck. Mercuri I'm so-so on, I can see a team taking him because he has sturdy size and good vision on the ice, he is not a guy who you notice too often but his name was always on the score board but once he adds strength to his frame I think his true skill will come out.

Stammer I like, to me he was the best player on a bad team, his size is a concern, but he does not have much to work with on his team and is making things happen.

I really hope Lawrence comes to the QMJHL, he is a special player, went to watch him a few times this year and was part of a team that was trying to lure him to the QMJHL, we had two ex NHL players who use to play with us down there too talking to him and his agent, he gave hints that coming QMJHL route is not off limits to him, but he seemed excited for NCAA but I think Moncton or Saint John is going to try a big push to get this kid, I saw both of them represented down there with a BIG team of executives and past players.

I still do not see Provost, Mercuri going 1st round unless Hillier and stuff do go NCAA....the Maritime guys are very very good that I have going 1st round.

 

[Wintersun]

Provost has been a let down for me as well, and I think he has the skill level to be a top 5 pick, but damn he lacks effort, discipline and defensive awareness. He needs to get more physically involved and battle more for pucks. He's the biggest boom/bust from the Quebec guys, so I don't know if teams will roll the dice on him or not. Maybe a team who has a couple first round picks, think he can pay off massively if all goes well. I'm more curious to see where Desnoyers goes, though, as he's been god awful in the past couple months, not sure where his hockey sense went this year.

Glad to hear you liked Beaudoin recently, he's been incredible today again, I actually find him more impressive than Guay in the last couple months.

Among the players out of Quebec, I only saw those that were in Gatineau, and to be honest I didn't like Burns as a 1st rounder, but I thought Desroches was really good. Cormier has good elements to his game but haven't seem enough to place him that high.

 

[scoutman1]

Provost has been a let down for me as well, and I think he has the skill level to be a top 5 pick, but damn he lacks effort, discipline and defensive awareness. He needs to get more physically involved and battle more for pucks. He's the biggest boom/bust from the Quebec guys, so I don't know if teams will roll the dice on him or not. Maybe a team who has a couple first round picks, think he can pay off massively if all goes well. I'm more curious to see where Desnoyers goes, though, as he's been god awful in the past couple months, not sure where his hockey sense went this year
Glad to hear you liked Beaudoin recently, he's been incredible today again, I actually find him more impressive than Guay in the last couple months.

Among the players out of Quebec, I only saw those that were in Gatineau, and to be honest I didn't like Burns as a 1st rounder, but I thought Desroches was really good. Cormier has good elements to his game but haven't seem enough to place him that high.

Burns is a guy I know Cape Breton and Halifax are looking at very strong, he is smaller, but hard worker, good hockey sense and ability to control the play with the puck, I have my ifs and buts about him he has one great game and then a bad game, but overall he is a player with skill, sense and hard work....needs to get a lot stronger though, his frame is very thin. Cormier is a guy who has amazing skating and agility, makes great rushes and works well on the rush, creates well with his speed and his playmaking, his speed allows him to take chances and get back to recoup himself on defense.

Desroches my team is not investing resources in his family is 100% NCAA....he is playing same league as Lawrence but in the tier lower than Lawrence, I liked him last year in NB/PEI midget as a 14 year old, but have only seen 2 games of his this year, so my ranking on him is not how I would like it

 

[Castle8130]

The 2020 nhl draft these guys will be in is stacked af

 

[Dominance]

Biakabutaka is a wonderful name, if it is indeed pronounced phonetically. Just rolls off the tongue.

 

[Tryamkin]

Biakabutaka is a wonderful name, if it is indeed pronounced phonetically. Just rolls off the tongue.

Yep, pronounced exactly how it looks. It’s the best thing ever

 

[MasterMatt25]

Biakabutaka is loved in EHM

 

[Tutu to]

Any of these guys at the Lafreniere tier of player

 

[Daneurism]

I haven't seen much of Lafreniere, so I can't compare them, but Lawrence is an incredible hockey player. Hopefully his size doesn't hold him back.

 

[Dodospice]

Any of these guys at the Lafreniere tier of player

The simple answer is no. There isn’t many players that come along with his size/skill set this early. There’s no players in this draft that are at Lafreniere’s level.

 

[scoutman1]

Lawrence is Lafrenieres Level...but he does not have the size Lafreniere has...but Lawrence is a more intense player that Lafreniere...Lafreniere reminds me of Vincent Lecavalier back in the day and Lawrence is a guy who is like a Martin St-Louis.

 

[wein]

I really hope Lawrence comes to the QMJHL, he is a special player, went to watch him a few times this year and was part of a team that was trying to lure him to the QMJHL, we had two ex NHL players who use to play with us down there too talking to him and his agent, he gave hints that coming QMJHL route is not off limits to him, but he seemed excited for NCAA but I think Moncton or Saint John is going to try a big push to get this kid, I saw both of them represented down there with a BIG team of executives and past players.
.

I assume Moncton will say that he can play a Pelletier type role in his first year and unlike Saint John actually be on a good team. Doesn't hurt that Moncton will have a great new building too and I imagine if Mr. Irving thinks he can help the team win the memorial cup then he'll do all he could to get him to report (within the rules). I'm not a fan of Shannon as a GM but you've got to think with his connections to the Fredricton hockey scene he would have a leg up on the competition.

If Lawrence is non-committal and still leaning towards the NCAA where do you think he gets drafted? Third round like Newhook?

 

[Mr. Met]

I would post this draft in the QMJHL section but hardly anyone goes on that board.

this is really a strong strong draft, each team will have a very different list from the next, from pick 6 on is pretty much going to be totally different for every team with guys in the 2nd round being able to fill in for 1st round. This is my version of how I like the players not giving away team scouting.

Players like Lawrence, DesRoches and Quillan are for sure going NCAA so they will not be picked unless a team like Halifax, Saint John, Moncton, Rimouski, Quebec throw some big things at the player. I have heard things about Mark Hillier, Ethan Landry, Brandon Walker and Alexander David going as well but until I speak to those guys (which will be after the season) I will not know for sure.

1. Josh Lawrence—F—Selects Hockey Acad 5’09/165 34 21 37 58
2. William Villeneuve—D—Magog 6’00/152 31 07 20 27
3. Hendrix Lapierre—F—Gatineau 5’10/157 25 12 30 42
4. Patrick Guy—F—Magog 5’08/150 30 20 24 44
5. Lukas Cormier—D—Moncton 5’09/145 24 07 22 29
6. Thomas Bordeleau—F—Phenix 5’09/165 29 18 28 46
7. Alex Drover—F—Halifax 5’10/170 31 25 26 51
8. Jeremie Biakabutuka—D—CCL 6’03/183 31 08 09 17
9. Jeremie Poirier—D—Grenadiers 6’01/172 30 02 23 25
10. Pier-Olivier Roy—F—Levis 5’09/150 30 11 27 38
11. Charles-Antoine Lavallee—G—St Hyac 6’01/194 08 06 2.40 .919
12. Brady Burns—F—Valley 5’08/145 26 13 26 39
13. Sonny Kabatay—F—Cape Breton Trades 5’09/156 27 13 19 32
14. Antoine Coulombe—G—Levis 6’00/185 09 05 2.58 .904
15. Brandon Walker—D—LSL 5’09/161 30 06 13 19
16. Mark Hillier—F—St Andrew’s College 5’11/155 14 02 07 09
17. Olivier Coulombe—F—Levis 6’00/170 26 16 08 24
18. Mavrik Bourque—F—Trois Riv 5’09/150 31 16 16 32

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Marchall Lessard—F—Magog 5’09/165 28 16 15 31
2. Charles Beaudoin—F—Magog 6’00/165 31 20 09 29
3. Lucas Mercuri—F—Chateauguay 6’02/183 30 11 19 30
4. William Provost—F—Amos 5’08/178 30 13 19 32
5. Justin Gosselin—D—Levis 5’10/160 30 09 09 18
6. Elliot Desnoyers—F—St Hyacinthe 5’11/170 30 08 15 23
7. Ethan Landry—F—Halifax 5’09/142 26 14 17 31
8. Jacob Quillan—F—Dartmouth 5’07/165 23 08 17 25
9. Charlie Desroches—D—Selects 15U 5’10/156 35 08 17 25
10. Alexandre David—F—Newbridge U16 5’08/163 14 12 14 26
11. Zachary Roy—F—Chateauguay 6’00/170 27 17 09 26
12. Isaac Belliveau—D—Magog 5’11/145 31 01 14 15
13. Olivier Adam—G—Magog 5’11/138 10 07 2.72 .901
14. William Dufour—F—Blizzard 6’01/170 26 10 14 24
15. Owen Stammer—F—CCL 5’07/150 31 12 13 25
16. Gianni-Adriano Lombardo—F—Montreal 5’09/176 28 07 07 14
17. Nicolas Daigle—F—Levis 5’08/146 29 09 12 21
18. William Dagenais—F--Gatineau 6’01/176 29 09 10 19

What kind of ceiling do you give Mark Hillier?

 

[Dodospice]

Lawrence is Lafrenieres Level...but he does not have the size Lafreniere has...but Lawrence is a more intense player that Lafreniere...Lafreniere reminds me of Vincent Lecavalier back in the day and Lawrence is a guy who is like a Martin St-Louis.

I just don’t think Lawrence would be able to make the same impact at 16 that Lafreniere has... they’re different players but I prefer Lafreniere because of the size he has and thinks it gives him a higher upside.

 

[Tutu to]

I just don’t think Lawrence would be able to make the same impact at 16 that Lafreniere has... they’re different players but I prefer Lafreniere because of the size he has and thinks it gives him a higher upside.

They are like 2 months apart in age. Both will be getting drafted in 2020.

 

[Dodospice]

They are like 2 months apart in age. Both will be getting drafted in 2020.

What does that have to do with the fact that I think Lafreniere’s size makes him more a more ready to contribute at 16 then Lawrence? Both will be drafted but Lafreniere is a better NHL prospect.

 

[Tutu to]

What does that have to do with the fact that I think Lafreniere’s size makes him more a more ready to contribute at 16 then Lawrence? Both will be drafted but Lafreniere is a better NHL prospect.

I was just pointing out the Lawrence is not really younger then Lafreniere despite playing in different leagues.

 

[Dodospice]

I was just pointing out the Lawrence is not really younger then Lafreniere despite playing in different leagues.

That’s not really how it works... there may be only a few months between them but Lafreniere is definitely older.

 

[scoutman1]

What kind of ceiling do you give Mark Hillier?

Hillier is a guy I think in most years would be a 1st rounder and if he is committed to coming QMJHL route I think he could be a 1st rounder this year. He is a guy IMO could be a real good 2nd line scorer with a chance at 1st line. I am not sure on his ceiling though, it is very hard to gage, I did not see him as much as I would like and found he was used sparing in the games I saw him, talent is there though, you could see his speed and IQ on stage when he was on the ice though. I think teams like the Maritime division ones will be trying to lure him.

 

[scoutman1]

I just don’t think Lawrence would be able to make the same impact at 16 that Lafreniere has... they’re different players but I prefer Lafreniere because of the size he has and thinks it gives him a higher upside.

oh I agree, Lafreniere is the better pro prospect....Lafreniere is pretty darn good, and I would hate to say Lawrence is right there with him, he is not far off though, but Lawrence size you are right is a downfall and he would really have to work on strength to have legs like tree trunks like St-Louis did...but his skills are there and intensity is there.

 

[Dodospice]

oh I agree, Lafreniere is the better pro prospect....Lafreniere is pretty darn good, and I would hate to say Lawrence is right there with him, he is not far off though, but Lawrence size you are right is a downfall and he would really have to work on strength to have legs like tree trunks like St-Louis did...but his skills are there and intensity is there.

Lawrence definitely has the skills and intensity, maybe there is still room for growth in him too? I’m not familiar with how tall his family is but it might not be unreasonable to expect a few more inches of growth? Mind you we all know a lot of guys that are the same size they are now as they were at 15 so maybe not but one can hope.

Even still if he is actually 5’9 as listed, his size won’t be a huge deterrant, since the skill set is obviously there.

 

[scoutman1]

Lawrence definitely has the skills and intensity, maybe there is still room for growth in him too? I’m not familiar with how tall his family is but it might not be unreasonable to expect a few more inches of growth? Mind you we all know a lot of guys that are the same size they are now as they were at 15 so maybe not but one can hope.

Even still if he is actually 5’9 as listed, his size won’t be a huge deterrant, since the skill set is obviously there.

5'09 he is listed, I would say he is more like 5'08ish...I been in the scouting game a LONG time, I actually scouted Martin St Louis and I have to say Lawrence reminds me of him...

 

[doncherrysgrill]

I've seen Lawrence a few times myself, I'd say 5'8 may even be generous..He's a great player though very talented very driven seems like he has a great attitude. I think his attending Selects Academy means they're pushing NCAA on him though.
2020 QMJHL draft class is pretty excellent