Halifax Mooseheads - Feed https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/category/link/ Wed, 27 May 2026 15:12:04 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Brad Cuzner named Manager of Hockey Operations & Recruitment https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/brad-cuzner-named-manager-of-hockey-operations-recruitment Wed, 27 May 2026 13:58:13 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/brad-cuzner-named-manager-of-hockey-operations-recruitment Halifax, NS - May 27, 2026 - The Halifax Mooseheads announced today that Brad Cuzner has been hired as the organization’s new Manager of Hockey Operations & Recruitment, a role created to strengthen the team’s player evaluation, scouting processes, and long‑term hockey strategy. Cuzner previously served the organization as Game Day Operations Manager and as Manager of Business Development, earning a reputation for his work ethic, professionalism, and deep understanding of the Mooseheads’ culture. In his new position, he will work closely with General Manager Cam Russell and Assistant General Manager Allie MacDonald. "I’m incredibly excited to work the Mooseheads in this new capacity. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute on the hockey operations side. Working with Cam, Allie, and the rest of the staff as we build toward the future is something I’m really looking forward to," Cuzner said. “Brad’s passion for the game, strong communication skills, and familiarity with our team make him a great fit for this role. We’re thrilled to have him join this side of the business,” said Russell. Cuzner begins the role immediately as the Mooseheads continue preparations for the 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft, taking place June 5-6 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Each day of the Draft is free to attend; with General Admission tickets becoming available for fans at 10am AT on Thursday, May 28th at Ticketmaster.ca. Fans are invited to enjoy an outdoor DJ party taking place at the Duke and Carmichael Street entrances from 6–7pm on Friday evening, kicking off a celebration of hockey and community in downtown Halifax.]]> Important QMJHL Entry Draft Ticket Information https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/important-qmjhl-entry-draft-ticket-information Tue, 19 May 2026 13:59:48 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/important-qmjhl-entry-draft-ticket-information HALIFAX, NS, May 19, 2026 - Hockey fans from across Atlantic Canada and beyond will descend on Halifax this June as the city hosts the 2026 QMJHL Draft, presented by Fenplast, for the first time ever. The two-day event will take place June 5–6, 2026 at the iconic Scotiabank Centre, marking an historic milestone in the Halifax Mooseheads franchise’s 32-year history. Click Here for Event Info "We are so excited to bring the QMJHL draft to Halifax. This has been one of the goals since our ownership began, and these few days will truly showcase the city at its finest,” said Sam Simon – Chairman/Owner and Peter Simon – President of Simon Sports. "An event of this magnitude is only possible through the tireless dedication of our local organizing committee. We extend our sincerest gratitude to every member for their efforts in bringing this vision to life. Most importantly, we look forward to demonstrating why Halifax is home to the best fanbase in the world. Our fans' unmatched passion is the heartbeat of this team and will undoubtedly make this a historic and unforgettable draft weekend for Moose Country." The annual draft serves as the league’s premier selection event for players aged 15-17, and will bring together all 18 QMJHL teams, draft-eligible players and their families, league officials, partners, media, and fans from across Atlantic Canada, Québec, and the United States. Attendance is expected to reach approximately 10,000 throughout the weekend, with most participants travelling from outside Nova Scotia. The 12-round process begins with the first round on Friday evening at 7:30pm (doors at 6pm) for the selection of the top 18 prospects. The Halifax Mooseheads hold 14 picks in the Draft, including third and seventh overall picks in the first round, plus four second-round selections. The second round begins on Saturday, June 6, at 10am (doors at 9am). Each day of the Draft is free to attend; with General Admission tickets becoming available for fans at 10am AT on Thursday, May 28th at Ticketmaster.ca. Fans are invited to enjoy an outdoor DJ party taking place at the Duke and Carmichael Street entrances from 6–7pm on Friday evening, kicking off a celebration of hockey and community in downtown Halifax. “Halifax is incredibly proud to host the QMJHL Entry Draft for the very first time. There’s a real energy that comes with moments like this — and there’s no better place to celebrate the next generation of hockey talent than here in Halifax, a region where our connection to hockey runs deep We’re excited to welcome players, families, fans, and teams to our community and showcase the passion, hospitality, and spirit that make this region such a special place.” — Mayor Andy Fillmore, Halifax Regional Municipality. The Draft is expected to generate significant economic and tourism benefits for the region while further strengthening Halifax’s reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events. Both days of the Draft can be watched live on Eastlink Community TV and streamed live via FloHockey, with highlights on the official QMJHL YouTube Channel. Follow the Halifax Mooseheads on Instagram, Facebook and X for exclusive interviews and information. Additional event details will be announced closer to the event date. View the final list of prospects here. View the complete Draft Order here.]]> 2026 QMJHL Draft: the CSR releases its final prospect rankings https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/2026-qmjhl-draft-the-csr-releases-its-final-prospect-rankings Wed, 06 May 2026 17:08:00 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/2026-qmjhl-draft-the-csr-releases-its-final-prospect-rankings The QMJHL Scouting Central (CSR) released today its final rankings of prospects eligible for the 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft, presented by Fenplast. Thomas Boisvert, a product of Séminaire Saint-Joseph, in Trois-Rivières, sits in first place after spending last season with Mount St. Charles Academy, in Rhode Island. Julien Bergeron of the Châteauguay Grenadiers in the Québec U18 AAA Hockey League (LHM18AAAQ) follows in second place, ahead of Zaac Charbonneau, Boisvert’s teammate at Mount St. Charles. Two other players from the LHM18AAAQ complete the Top 5: Pierre-Alexandre Lemieux of the Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix, and Vincent Boutet of the Séminaire Saint-François Blizzard. Boutet is the highest-ranked defenceman (5th overall). Among goaltenders, Zachary Lainesse, who recently won both the Québec and Canadian championships with the Lévis Chevaliers, is the top-ranked goaltender at 17th overall. Furthermore, if we look at the top 36—which could potentially cover the first two rounds—24 play in the Québec U18 AAA Hockey League while six were born in the Atlantic provinces. Among the latter, Lawrence Williams, a defenceman playing for Pictou, is the highest-ranked at 9th overall, followed by forward Max Brien of Dartmouth Steele Subaru at 13th and defenceman Jack Cameron with Pictou at 15th. Final Rankings of Top Prospects – Québec and Atlantic
_ The CSR also evaluated several American players, and six of them received an “A” rating as potential first- or second-round picks: Logan Cotter, Robert Dekleine, Samuel Lee, John Queally, CJ Sawyer, and Blake Wilichoski. All are forwards except for Cotter, a blueliner. Final Rankings of Top Prospects – United States
(by rating, then alphabetical order)
_ The 2026 QMJHL Draft, presented by Fenplast, will take place on June 5 and 6 at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax and will consist of 12 rounds.
]]> Top Nova Scotians Available at 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/top-nova-scotians-available-at-2026-qmjhl-entry-draft Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:55:07 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/top-nova-scotians-available-at-2026-qmjhl-entry-draft 2026-04-30 The 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft is quickly approaching, with the Halifax Mooseheads playing host to the annual event for the first time in team history on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 at Scotiabank Centre. The Mooseheads currently hold 14 picks in the draft, including third and seventh overall in the first round in addition to four more in the second round. In February, the QMJHL Central Scouting Registry released an alphabetical list of their top 90 prospects available. 72 of those players hail from the province of Quebec, nine are from Nova Scotia, five come from New Brunswick while four are from Newfoundland & Labrador. The QMJHL is expected to release their final draft rankings in early May. The following is a deeper look into the top available Nova Scotian born players with reviews provided by CSR staff. Max Brien (Fall River, NS) Forward - Dartmouth Steele Subaru   6’2” 187 – Shoots Right NSU18MHL Rookie of the Year Regular Season: 33gp 18g 25a 43pts Playoffs: 9gp 7g 7a 14pts QMJHL Cup: 4gp 1g 2a 3pts Max is a big, strong, and powerful skater who brings a wide range of tools to the ice. He consistently uses his size to his advantage through physical play, strong puck protection, and a willingness to drive the net. He plays with a high level of intensity and a strong work ethic, making him difficult to contain. In addition to his size and strength, Max possesses good skill and a hard, accurate shot, adding to his offensive effectiveness. He is a complete, reliable 200-foot player who can be a difference-maker every shift. Strong defensively and effective in all zones, Max impacts the game in multiple ways. He is regarded as the top prospect for the upcoming draft out of Nova Scotia and projects as a player who can contribute in all situations.
  • Taylor Burke, CSR Scout Nova Scotia
Jack Cameron (Stellarton, NS) Defence – Weeks Majors 5’11” 170 – Shoots Left NSU18MHL Rookie All-Star Team Regular Season: 22gp 5g 14a 19pts Playoffs: 11gp 4g 3a 7pts QMJHL Cup: 4gp 0g 2a 2pts Jack is a highly talented defenseman who plays well beyond his years. He is a smart, smooth-skating blueliner who shows excellent poise and composure in all situations, consistently making sound decisions with and without the puck. Offensively, he has a strong sense of timing, knowing when to join the rush, and is active along the blue line while making himself available as a passing option. Defensively, Jack is equally effective, using strong gap control and an active stick to shut down opposing attackers. A complete, well-rounded player, he is regarded as one of the top defensemen in this year’s class.
  • Taylor P. Burke, Nova Scotia CSR Scout
Liam Duffy (Fall River, NS) Defence – Dartmouth Steele Subaru 5’11” 177 – Shoots Right NSU18MHL Rookie All-Star Team Regular Season: 33gp 1g 26a 27pts Playoffs: 9gp 0g 7a 7pts QMJHL Cup: 4GP 0G 0A 0PTS Liam is a big-bodied defenseman who moves well for his size. He doesn’t hesitate to join the rush or get involved in the play offensively. He plays smart and has a good feel on when to take chances in the offensive zone. Defensively, he has a good stick and can use his body to his advantage. He makes a good first pass and is always looking to try and make quick plays to keep the play moving forward. All in all, he has a great skillset that many teams look for at the next level.
  • Taylor P. Burke, Nova Scotia CSR Scout
Morgan Flemming (Wolfville, NS) Forward – Valley Wildcats 6’0” 165 – Shoots Right NSU18MHL Rookie All-Star Team MVP QMJHL Cup Final Regular Season: 33gp 19g 19a 38pts Playoffs: 8gp 6g 8a 14pts QMJHL Cup: 4gp 1g 1a 2pts Flemming is a big, skilled forward who skates well and has a great shot and release. He showed the ability to put the puck in the net in his rookie season in the NSUM18MHL, amassing 19 goals in 33 games, good for 6th in the League. A smart player with a good hockey IQ, he is creative with the puck on his stick and a threat to score every time he enters the offensive zone. He has all the tools to be a gifted goal scorer at the next level, which makes him an exciting player to watch heading into the 2026 Draft.
  • Taylor P. Burke, Nova Scotia CSR Scout
Carter Odell (Hubbards, NS) Forward – Halifax McDonald’s 5’09” 146 – Shoots Left NSU18MHL Champion Regular Season: 32gp 10g 13a 23pts Playoffs: 9gp 2g 2a 4pts Telus Cup: 7gp 1g 1a 2pts Carter is a very talented and smart player. He has good hockey sense and is the type of player that can make an impact offensively anytime that he has the puck on his stick. He has burst, speed and good edge control, with and without the puck, and is an extremely smooth skater, one of his best attributes. He is also a very crafty player, frequently showing his creativity and skills with the puck. Carter is at his best when he moves his feet and plays with speed, becoming a very tough player to defend. As he continues to grow and add some size, he will hopefully add a more physical element to his game. His skating ability allows him to protect the puck well now, but being able to compete against bigger players will be important to round out his game. He has all of the offensive tools and upside to be a top 6 forward at the QMJHL level.
  • Taylor P. Burke, Nova Scotia CSR Scout
Colby O’Shaughnessy (Cole Harbour, NS) Goaltender – March & Mill Co Hunters 6’01” 170 – Catches Left Regular Season: 17gp 4.77 GAA .888 Save % Playoffs: 6gp 3.34 GAA .925 Save % QMJHL Cup: 2gp 3.00 GAA .909 Save % Colby is an athletic goaltender who has shown good speed when moving around his crease. He has a lot of energy in his net, and it shows as he’s following the play. Sometimes, his high motor can lead him to over-push and come out of his crease. Still, he has built himself a reputation for competing hard, no matter what the score is in a game, and for never giving up on a play.
  • Maxime Ouellet, CSR Goaltending Specialist
Ewan Sim (New Glasgow, NS) Forward – Weeks Majors 5’08” 140 – Shoots Left NSU18MHL Rookie All-Star Team Regular Season: 32gp 14g 35a 49pts Playoffs: 14gp 4g 7a 11pts Sim is a highly skilled forward with high hockey IQ and strong puck skills. He protects the puck well, shows good offensive vision, and consistently creates scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Sim had a highly productive season, leading the NSU18MHL in scoring as a rookie. He also brings an agitator element to his game, competing hard and engaging with opponents. Sim’s areas for improvement include both his skating and overall strength. Slightly undersized, he would benefit from added muscle and improved explosiveness to better handle physical play at higher levels. With continued development, he projects as an effective play-driving offensive player.
  • Taylor P. Burke, Nova Scotia CSR Scout
Jayden Tillman (Fall River, NS) Defence – Bishop’s Kearney 6’00” 176 – Shoots Right Regular Season: 65gp 7g 18a 25pts Playoffs: 3gp 0g 1a 1pts QMJHL Cup: 4gp 1g 2a 3pts Tillman recently completed his second season with the Bishop Kearney Selects program in the state of New York. A right-handed defenseman, he is very well built and an excellent skater, combining power, speed, and agility. He is a tough defenseman to get around and difficult to play against. Tillman has an excellent shot, which he releases with both power and accuracy. In fact, it’s a shot we’d like to see him use more often. The young defenseman plays with confidence and exudes a certain presence when on the ice. With his style and maturity, he will undoubtedly be a closely watched defenseman for the upcoming draft.
  • Pierre Cholette, CSR Director
Lawrence Williams (Kings Head, NS) Defence – Weeks Majors 6’01” 161 Shoots: Left NSU18MHL Rookie Defenceman Award Regular Season: 32gp 10g 28a 38pts Playoffs: 14gp 1g 6a 7pts QMJHL Cup: 4gp 0g 2a 2pts Williams is a big-bodied defenseman with excellent skating ability. He has great jump in his stride and consistently uses it to his advantage, allowing him to be very active offensively and join the rush whenever opportunities arise. While he can be overaggressive at times, his skating enables him to recover quickly and limit mistakes. In addition to his mobility, Williams displays strong skill and moves the puck efficiently. These attributes helped him record 38 points in 32 games as a rookie defenseman in the NSU18MHL. His offensive upside makes him an intriguing prospect for the upcoming draft.
  • Taylor P. Burke, Nova Scotia CSR Scout
]]> Lottery determines Mooseheads to pick 3rd in QMJHL Entry Draft https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/mooseheads-to-pick-3rd-in-qmjhl-entry-draft Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:01:21 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/mooseheads-to-pick-3rd-in-qmjhl-entry-draft Mooseheads add American Free Agent Forward Evan Nee https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/mooseheads-add-american-free-agent-forward-evan-nee Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:18:11 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/mooseheads-add-american-free-agent-forward-evan-nee Evan Nee. Nee, a native of Arlington, Massachusetts, will join the Mooseheads as he enters his 19‑year‑old season. The dynamic left‑shooting forward stands 5’11” and weighs 185 pounds, bringing speed, skill, and a proven scoring touch to Halifax’s lineup. “Evan is a highly skilled forward with great compete and leadership qualities. He’s coming off an outstanding season at St. Mark’s, and we expect him to play a prominent role for us next year. We’re very excited to welcome him to Halifax,” said Mooseheads General Manager Cam Russell Nee arrives from St. Mark’s School (MA), where he established himself as one of the program’s most productive players in recent history. A two‑time All‑ISL selection, he finished his prep career ranked third all‑time in school scoring and surpassed the prestigious 100‑point milestone in December 2025. Serving as team captain in 2025–26, he posted an impressive 25 goals, 32 assists, and 57 points in just 30 games. The latest addition comes as part of a busy week for the Mooseheads. The team will participate in Tuesday’s QMJHL Draft Lottery where they hold 28.6% odds of landing the first overall selection in June’s Entry Draft to be held in Halifax. The Draft Lottery can be seen tonight on RDS at 7:30pm Atlantic.]]> Four Mooseheads on Final NHL Central Scouting Rankings https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/four-mooseheads-on-final-nhl-central-scouting-rankings Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:23:35 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/four-mooseheads-on-final-nhl-central-scouting-rankings View Full Rankings List The Halifax Mooseheads are well represented with four skaters on the North American list, led by forward Oleg Kulebiakin at 87th. The Russian rookie was the leading scorer for the Mooseheads in 2025-26 with 73 points in 64 games played. His 44 assists were the most for Halifax while he placed third in goals with 29. Kulebiakin was the ninth overall pick by the Mooseheads in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Next in the rankings for the Herd is defenceman Eddy Doyle coming in as the 108th ranked North American Skater. The native of Tignish, PE has a November 2007 birthdate which pushed his draft eligibility to 2026. He is a big body at 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds and set career high in points with 18 and games played with 59. Doyle was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft by Halifax. Forward Danny Walters took a significant jump in from 147th in January to the 114th spot in the Final Rankings. The physical forward who was born and raised in Halifax, NS played a significant role on the team in his second QMJHL season. He set career highs with 30 points, 15 goals and 15 assists and was third in the league with 110 penalty minutes. Walters was a first round selection (11th overall) by the Mooseheads in 2024. Rounding out the list of ranked players from the Mooseheads is forward Shawn Carrier who comes in at 178th on the list. The energetic and creative player was passed over in his first year of eligibility in 2025 mainly due to his smaller stature at 5-foot-10, but his no-fear style of play, paired with his elite scoring talent opened the eyes of many NHL scouts during the recently finished season. Carrier was second on the team in points with 65 while scoring a team-leading 37 goals and adding 28 assists. He was acquired by Halifax in a trade that sent Markus Vidicek to Moncton prior to the 2024-25 season. He was originally drafted sixth overall by the Wildcats in 2023. The final rankings feature the top 224 skaters and 37 goaltenders in North America as well as the top 147 skaters and 23 goaltenders internationally. Currently in its 51st year of operation, NHL Central Scouting provides evaluation and scouting of draft-eligible players to NHL member clubs. Headed by Group Vice President Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting employs eight full-time scouts throughout North America. To report on prospects playing internationally, the NHL employs the services of J-P Vuorinen and his staff at European Scouting Services based in Finland.]]> BMR Student-Athletes of the Month | March 2026 https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/bmr-student-athletes-of-the-month-march-2026 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:55:36 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/bmr-student-athletes-of-the-month-march-2026 Connor MacPherson, a business student at St Mary's University, is the latest to take the honours for the Mooseheads and the final one for the 2025-26 season. He joins Owen Phillips (February), Quinn Kennedy (January), Danny Walters (December), Nick Cirka (November), Amelio Santini (October) and Lincoln Waugh (September) as Halifax players to earn the nod this season. The 18 recipients of the month were selected by the teams' educational advisors, who play a central role in the educational development of our players. Witnessing their perseverance on a daily basis, they support them in building a solid path, guided by discipline and passion. Congratulations to the 18 BMR Student-Athletes of the Month for March! _
Team Player Program Academic Establishment
Baie-Comeau Drkkar Liam Armit Secondaire 5 Polyvalente des Baies
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada Spencer Gill Business Athabasca University
Cape Breton Eagles Lucas Romeo Business General University of New Brunswick - UNB
Charlottetown Islanders Dylan MacKinnon Business Administration Athabasca / UNB
Chicoutimi Saguenéens Alexandre Desmarais Sciences humaines CÉGEP de Chicoutimi
Drummondville Voltigeurs Filip Kovalcik High School - Grade 12 Trecin (Stredna Sortova Skola)
Gatineau Olympiques Michel Myloserdnyy Business Northern Pre-University - NPU
Halifax Mooseheads Connor MacPherson Business General St Mary's University
Moncton Wildcats Evan Dépatie Sciences humaines CÉGEP à distance
Newfoundland Regiment Alexis Mathieu High School - Grade 12 Northern Pre-University - NPU
Québec Remparts Benjamin Lelièvre Sciences humaines CÉGEP Limoilou
Rimouski Océanic Luke Patterson Business University of New Brunswick - UNB
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies Eliot Ogonowski Sciences humaines CÉGEP de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Shawinigan Cataractes Frédéric Bergeron Secondaire 5 Académie des Estacades
Sherbrooke Phoenix Éloi Bénard Secondaire 5 Académie des Estacades
Saint John Sea Dogs Maxime Côté High School - Grade 12 Northern Pre-University - NPU
Val-d'Or Foreurs Hemerick Carbonneau Sciences de la nature CÉGEP de Val-d'Or
Victoriaville Tigres Simon-Pier Brunet High School - Grade 12 Northern Pre-University - NPU
]]> Malik L’Italien named to QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/malik-litalien-named-to-qmjhl-rookie-all-star-team Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:46:47 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/malik-litalien-named-to-qmjhl-rookie-all-star-team Malik L'Italien was named to the QMJHL's All-Rookie Team on Wednesday. The 16-year-old from Montreal, QC was the third overall pick in the 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Mooseheads. L'Italien played in all 64 games during the regular season and contributed 24 points with four goals and 20 assists. He was the highest scoring 16-year-old defenceman in the league and finished third in scoring amongst all rookie blueliners. The other defenceman on the All-Rookie Team is Moncton Wildcats 18-year-old American Tommy Bleyl. The forwards consist of Saint John Sea Dogs phenom Alexis Joseph - who was the first overall pick in the 2025 Entry Draft. Victoriaville Russian imports Egor Shilov and Alexey Vlasov both cracked the squad. The top rookie goalie is Drummondville's Jan Larys, an import pick from Czechia. https://twitter.com/HFXMooseheads/status/1983703233140044115 Halifax's Oleg Kulebiakin was left off the squad after he finished fourth in rookie scoring behind Shilov, Bleyl and Vlasov. The Mooseheads also got great contributions this season from 16-year-old defenceman Cam Minella, who like L'Italien, played in all 64 regular season games. Halifax will look to add more high-end youth to the roster when the team hosts the 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft June 5-6 at Scotiabank Centre. The Mooseheads will have two top seven picks, with a 28.6% chance at landing the first overall pick when the QMJHL holds the annual Draft Lottery on April 21st on RDS.]]> 2026 QMJHL Draft Lottery Date and Odds Announced https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/2026-qmjhl-draft-lottery-date-and-odds-announced Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:35:45 +0000 Scott MacIntosh https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/article/2026-qmjhl-draft-lottery-date-and-odds-announced
QMJHL Lottery on RDS on April 21 Boucherville, QC – The lottery to determine the selection order for the upcoming QMJHL Draft presented by Fenplast will take place on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30pm Atlantic on RDS, as part of the show 5 à 7. The Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Rimouski Océanic, Gatineau Olympiques, Victoriaville Tigres and Saint John Sea Dogs finished the 2025-2026 season in positions 18 through 14. However, the Drakkar, Océanic and Olympiques traded their first-round picks in recent months to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Halifax Mooseheads and Shawinigan Cataractes. Here are the odds for each team in the lottery:
  • 18th position: Rouyn-Noranda (from Baie-Comeau) – 9 balls – 42.9%
  • 17th position: Halifax (from Rimouski) – 6 balls – 28.6%
  • 16th position: Shawinigan (from Gatineau) – 3 balls – 14.3%
  • 15th position: Victoriaville – 2 balls – 9.5%
  • 14th position: Saint John – 1 ball – 4.8%
Here are the most recent first overall picks for the five teams in the lottery:
  • Rouyn-Noranda: Patrick Poulin, 1989 (Saint-Hyacinthe Laser)
  • Halifax: Benoit-Olivier Groulx, 2016
  • Shawinigan: Dino Troïni, 1976 (Shawinigan Dynamos)
  • Victoriaville: Cosmo DuPaul, 1992
  • Saint John: Alexis Joseph, 2025
QMJHL Deputy Commissioner Martin Lavallée will oversee the lottery, which will be conducted under the supervision of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.
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