(Saint-Jean) Shane Wright admitted that he imagined himself for a few weeks already on the Bell Center stage putting on the jersey of an NHL team. He does not know yet if it will be the jersey of the Montreal Canadiens or that of another team and the 18-year-old center tries not to worry too much about it.
Posted yesterday at 8:52 p.m.
The debate has been raging in Montreal since the Canadiens won the NHL lottery and obtained the first right to speak in the draft which will take place in his backyard on July 7 and 8. Does Wright have what it takes to be a top pick? Should the Habs instead turn to the powerful Juraj Slafkovsky or the dynamic Logan Cooley?
That’s not going to keep him awake – for now, at least – the one who was named Tuesday night’s top prospect for the Canadian Hockey League draft.
“Since my season is over, I’ve been a little more aware of what’s being said about me,” admitted Wright, who had 32 goals and 62 assists in 63 games with the Kingston Frontenacs. It’s just noise, something out of my control.
There was my season, the physical evaluation camp and I took part in several interviews with teams. Now it’s out of my hands. It is between those of the staff of the Montreal Canadiens and other NHL teams.
Shane Wright
Wright said he does not follow the various rankings published on the web or in specialized magazines.
A few hours before the CHL gala, the renowned Bob McKenzie, of the TSN network, unveiled his list made by collecting the rankings of 10 recruiters. Wright was in second place, behind Slafkovsky.
“These are just rankings, not the real draft position. That, we will know them only on July 7, recalled Wright. I don’t pay too much attention to any of that, although a lot of smart people have worked hard to make these lists. »
Over the past few weeks, Wright has given several interviews as part of the physical evaluation camp, then he was in Denver early in the Stanley Cup Finals for a media day with some of the top prospects ahead of the draft. The Burlington, Ont., native was in the spotlight again on Tuesday, then he’s expected to take part in another media day in Montreal the day before the draft.
Wright said he wasn’t already burnt out by all the attention.
“I enjoy every moment, he insisted. I have the chance to practice the sport that I love, to live an experience that I have dreamed of all my life and for which I have worked hard.
“I have no reason not to like anything. Yes, the days are sometimes longer and more exhausting, but I would not wish for anything different,” he concluded.
Two winners in the QMJHL
Kamloops Blazers forward Logan Stankoven was named MVP of the past season.
Stankoven, who was selected in the second round by the Dallas Stars in 2021, had 45 goals and 59 assists in 59 games over the winter.
He was chosen over William Dufour of the Saint John Sea Dogs and Wyatt Johnston of the Windsor Spitfires.
Johnston, however, walked away with the CHL leading scorer award, after collecting 124 points in 68 games.
Two members of the QMJHL received honours. Jordan Dumais of the Halifax Mooseheads was honored for his sportsmanship, while Jim Hulton of the Charlottetown Islanders was honored as Most Outstanding Coach.
Dylan Garand of the Blazers was named Most Outstanding Goaltender, while Nathan Staios of the Hamilton Bulldogs was awarded the title on the defenseman side. Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Yager was named the Most Outstanding Rookie.
Mississauga Steelheads forward Owen Beck received the Most Outstanding Student Player award, while Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Luke Prokop was recognized as Humanitarian of the Year.