Cam Squires Among 2023 NHL Draft Prospects For Cape Breton Eagles
The biggest event of the NHL off-season is upon us as the 2023 NHL Entry Draft kicks off tonight in Nashville. The opening round will take place this evening at 8 PM Atlantic time, with rounds two through seven happening on Thursday afternoon (starting at 12 Atlantic time). And it’s almost certain some Cape Breton Eagle content will be selected this week.
Leading the way in the Eagle draft eligible contingent is right winger Cam Squires. The native of Charlottetown racked up 64 points in his sophomore major junior campaign, and became the fourth Eagle to hit the 30 goal mark as a 17 year old (joining Olivier Proulx, James Sheppard, and Pierre-Luc Dubois.). Ranked 114th among North American skaters in January by NHL Central Scouting, he skyrocketed to the 56th rank at season’s end. His impact wasn’t limited to on the ice- thanks to his presence in the community, Squires was named the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year.
Squires worked hard at both ends of the ice as the season progressed, improving his defensive awareness while producing impressive statistics. The 6′, 160 pound forward notched 19 points in his final 14 regular season games. An equally productive playmaker to shooter, he collected six assists in four post-season appearances. With a high hockey IQ, Squires can create offense from tight spaces and is particularly dangerous deep in the offensive zone. Heading into the draft, Squires has been training in California with former CFL defensive back Chris Munford, the CEO and president of California Sports Institute Inc.
Cam Squires’ 8 goals in 7 straight games (2022-23)
Another Eagles forward who was listed in the mid-season rankings is Luke Patterson. After being drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 QMJHL draft, he returned to the major U18 league in New Brunswick, led the league in scoring and was tournament MVP as the Moncton Flyers became just the second Maritime team to capture the Telus Cup as national champions. As a QMJHL rookie in 2022-23, Patterson posted 22 points in 54 games. The 6’1, 180 pound Eagle battled through adversity in his first major junior season after missing a month due to injury in the fall. Patterson played all three forward positions while primarily on the wings, and was counted on to play up and down the lineup as the year progressed.
Luke Patterson’s 5 goals in his first 9 games in 2022-23
Like Patterson, Eagles defenseman Xavier Daigle was chosen in the 2021 draft (in round two), returned to star in the U18 ranks, and was included in the Central Scouting mid-season rankings during his rookie “Q” season. The 6′ 175 pound blueliner from Lévis, QC was named the top defenseman in QM18AAA in 2021-22. He was thrust into key responsibility early in his major junior career with the Eagles, as injuries to multiple veteran defensemen saw Daigle often play more than 25 minutes a night in the fall. Throughout the year he proved capable of contributing at all facets of the game- not only did he post 20 points in 68 contests, but also led the Eagles in +/- with a +8 rating.
Xavier Daigle was second in defenceman points in 2022-23, and led the team in +/-
The 2023 NHL Entry Draft will be televised on Sportsnet starting at 8 PM Atlantic time, and fans can stay tuned to Cape Breton Eagles social media channels for news regarding Eagle players.
