The QMJHL took a page out of the OHL's book and decided to hold their own prospects' game this year, where they showcased the best draft-eligible prospects in the league in Sherbrooke last night. It was a fun game and evenly matched, needed a shootout to decide the winner. 6-5 for Team Lafleur over Team Crosby. While it is ultimately NHL-draft focused (reportedly 100+ NHL scouts), it was very well attended by college scouts, especially Hockey East.
Mark Divver directly lists the following schools, but it isn't a complete list:
Providence, BC, BU, Harvard, Lowell, Maine, Vermont, Merrimack, SLU
Some already committed prospects in the game with notable performances:
Rian Chudzinski, BU, who keeps scoring despite a very quick return from alleged mono??
Egor Shilov, BU
Jacoby Weiner, Harvard- 16 saves on 17 shots in first half
Nathan Lecompte, Northeastern
Liam Lefebvre, UVM (Team Crosby Player of the Game)
Tommy Bleyl, Michigan State
Standouts without commitments:
William Lacelle- saved all 15 shots in his first half
Xavier Villeneuve
Oleg Kulebyakin
Nikita Ovcharov (Team Lafleur Player of the Game)
Maddox Dagenais (2024 QMJHL Draft 1st overall) goal and shootout winner
Note: Vlasov (UConn) was injured and couldn't play (not a serious injury, just precaution)
commitment news:
07 F Shaan Kingwell commits to Princeton, playing for Ottawa 67s.
05 D Nolan Stevenson flips commitment to St Cloud State, playing for Penticton Vees, previously committed to Omaha. He was the 2-year BCHL Vees player that the WHL Vees traded for the rights of during the expansion draft, essentially trading for their own player. He already wore a letter for them the past two years so they gave him the C.
Eli McKamey (NoDak) is finally having his WHL debut after an injury delayed the start of his WHL rookie season. He's not a bad consolation prize when trying to fill the gaping hole the Victoria Royals have to try filling... First ever exceptional status player in the BCHL last season for Penticton
Speaking of the Vees, yesterday it was reported that the next WHL location for expansion
will have their arrival pushed back to 27-28 instead of original projection of 26-27. Still working on getting ownership settled, though they appear to be down to one candidate. The Vees had the smoother transition because the same ownership group made the move. (Reported cost for Penticton was in the $15 million range for expansion fee and territorial rights paid to Kelowna). The Chilliwack franchise is an effort from the WHL and the City of Chilliwack, so the BCHL Chiefs would be pushed out of their arena when the expansion team comes in. They should get at least another year before worrying about that.
