2023 QMJHL Draft Preview
When the clock starts to tick and the 2023 QMJHL Draft gets underway on Saturday morning, all eyes will be on General Manager Jim Hulton and his staff as a new crop of players will be welcomed to the Charlottetown Islanders.
For the first time since 2019, the QMJHL will hold an in-person draft with all 18 teams and league officials reporting to Sherbrooke, Quebec. This will be the third time the Phoenix has hosted the league’s annual entry draft at Palais des Sports Léopold-Drolet.
The Islanders currently have 11 selections in this year’s Draft and will make their first pick in the 3rd round (45th overall).
“From the Jakub Brabenec deal, we are still technically owed a first-round pick from Sherbrooke,” said Hulton. “We are still finalizing the details on what that pick will be but we are fully expecting to be moving up the board and get into the first round.”
The last time the Islanders selected in the first round was in 2018, when Lukas Cormier’s name was called at the 4th overall selection.
Ahead of Draft day, Hulton is confident Director of Scouting Trevor Birt and his staff will continue to find talent that will boost the team’s young core.
“Our philosophy is, and always has been to select the best player available at the time of our pick,” commented Birt. “Our job is to find diamonds in the rough. We’ve had great success in recent years in finding everyday major junior players in the later rounds. Use Keiran Gallant and Zachary Beauregard as an example, both guys were able to amass great junior careers and we’re selected in the 13th and 10th rounds of their drafts.”
View 2023 QMJHL Central Scounting List
In 2022, the Islanders selected 5 forwards, 5 defenceman, and 2 goaltenders with their 12 selections.
Recent Draft Selections
| Marcus Kearsey | Round 2 – 32nd overall |
| Alexis Michaud | Round 2 – 33rd overall |
| Matis Ouellet | Round 2 – 32nd overall |
| Anton Topilnyckyj | Round 3 – 57th overall |
| Sam Oliver | Round 2 – 27th overall |
“Later in the draft, we start to be more strategic in who we select based on the needs of the organization. At the moment, we feel all areas from goaltending and out need added depth” said Birt.
The 2023 QMJHL Draft kicks off on Saturday, June 10th at 11:00 am. Follow along on our social media pages for exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage.
