Hockey Quebec and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League had already begun thinking about the development of their players: the performance of the QMJHL in the NHL draft this week only confirmed the concerns.
The QMJHL had its worst performance in NHL Draft history, with only 12 players selected. On Wednesday, she also drew a blank in the first round for the first time since 2008.
“Earlier this week, I had meetings with Hockey Quebec, with Jocelyn [Thibault, directeur général de Hockey Québec], to talk about development in the broad sense. It will remain a concern, said the commissioner of the QMJHL, Mario Cecchini. For my part, I want us to always have a sense of urgency around this. What is happening today tells us that we are right to have this sense of urgency. That being said, it’s very cyclical. We’re a little disappointed, but I don’t feel panicky about that. »
Only 13 QMJHL players had been chosen in 1970, at the end of the league’s first season under this version. In the modern era of hockey, the league’s mediocrity record was 14 players, in 2016 and 2017. others less,” Cecchini noted, seeking to better define his thinking about cycles.
This poor performance comes as Hockey Quebec is considering ways to bring fun back into the sport and improve its structure across the province. The QMJHL is also in a period of transition. Longtime steward Gilles Courteau resigned in the spring as the circuit was stained with demeaning initiation scandals that date back years.
A special day
However, the poor performance of the QMJHL did not spoil the week for the league’s players, who found takers.
Ethan Gauthier finally became the first QMJHL player to hear his name echoed at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday morning. Gauthier was selected in the second round, 37e overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
If he hoped to be selected earlier, Gauthier was happy to end up with the Lightning. “It is sure that I experienced a little disappointment [mercredi]. I thought I had a chance of being picked in the first round. But it is quickly forgotten. I couldn’t ask for better than to end up with Tampa Bay,” said Gauthier.
“I was looking at the pick board early in the second round today and hoping Tampa would pick me. They have built a winning team with a culture and an identity. It fits well with me, who plays with determination, ”he added.
37e choice belonged first to the Montreal Canadiens. He passed to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday in the trade that sent Alex Newhook to the Habs. Then, the Lightning got that pick from the Avalanche early Wednesday in return for forward Ross Colton.
“I had not met the Lightning during the evaluation camp. I had crossed [le directeur des opérations hockey du Lightning] Mathieu Darche a few times and he told me it wasn’t that the team didn’t like me, but rather that they didn’t have a first-round pick, Gauthier said. I saw it too [mercredi] after the first round. We just chatted. »
“When I heard my name today, I was so proud. It is not a team with which I had had many discussions. Mathieu was telling me that he thought I was going to go out in the first round. It just fell well like that, ”continued Ethan Gauthier.
A second QMJHL player found a taker in the second round. The Calgary Flames selected defenseman Étienne Morin of the Moncton Wildcats at 48e rank. “I heard my name and I thought it was incredible. It’s a reward for all the years you’ve worked hard. »
Ethan Gauthier is the son of former defenseman Denis Gauthier, who was drafted in the 20e rank by the Calgary Flames in 1995 and played 554 games in the NHL. Even though he’s not the strongest, he’s not afraid to go around the net to score goals. Last winter, he tallied 30 goals and 39 assists in 66 games with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, where he also played alongside his older brother, Kaylen.
“The first person I hugged was my brother,” said the young man. I didn’t even have time to thank him and tell him what I wanted to say. I was in emotions. He was my biggest role model for me. Then the same for my father. I felt it emotional. My mother too. These people have supported me since I was young. It’s a beautiful moment. »
For his part, Étienne Morin dominated QMJHL defensemen with 21 goals last winter. He also provided 51 assists in 67 games with the Wildcats. He is best known for his offensive qualities and his vision of the game.
In the third round, the Vegas Golden Knights selected Halifax Mooseheads forward Mathieu Cataford at 77e rank. Mooseheads defenseman Dylan MacKinnon was later selected by the Nashville Predators at 83e rank.
Three players from the Cecchini circuit were selected in the fourth round. The Seattle Kraken drafted forward Andrei Loshko, from the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, at 116e rank. The New Jersey Devils have opted for Cape Breton Eagles forward Cam Squires at 122e rank. Then the Canadiens selected goalkeeper Quentin Miller, from the Quebec Remparts, at 128e rank.
In the fifth round, forward Marcel Marcel, of the Gatineau Olympiques, was chosen at 131e rank by the Chicago Blackhawks. Phoenix forward Justin Gill was later drafted by the New York Islanders at 145e rank.
In the sixth round, defenseman Luke Coughlin, of the Rimouski Océanic, was selected by the Florida Panthers at 191e rank.
Finally, defender Matteo Mann, of the Saguenéens, was drafted in the seventh round, 199e in total, by the Philadelphia Flyers, and forward Tyler Peddle, of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, was drafted in the very last spot of the session, the 224ebeing selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets.