Titan Draft Class – 2023 QMJHL Draft Recap
The Acadie-Bathurst Titan have added depth to their prospect pool following the 2023 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft this past weekend in Quebec. On Saturday, June 10 the Titan selected 19 new prospects at Palais des Sports in Sherbrooke.
Titan General Manager Gordie Dwyer, Head Scout Sammy Mayers, Director of Hockey Operations Matthew Smith, Assistant Coach Marc Lafleur and numerous Titan scouts were busy Saturday afternoon at ice level as they meticulously selected players who they believe are in line with the character of what it means to be a Titan.
Mayers said hockey staff is excited about the 2023 draft class, and how this group could play a future role in the success of the team.
“We entered the draft with several targets in mind and we were fortunate to select many players that we feel fit our identity. Our goal was to add players with high levels of skill, smarts and competitiveness and we feel like we accomplished that,” said Mayers.
“We were able to add depth at all positions and supplement our 2006 age group as well with three re-entry selections. We hope that the players we drafted this weekend will play a large role in bringing championships to Bathurst in the future.”
Hundreds of hockey players eagerly waited to hear their names boom over the sound system in Sherbrooke Saturday. Families cheered as their son was selected by respective teams, while players hugged their parents before making their way to the stage or team table to meet hockey staff.
The first prospect who donned their new Titan threads was savvy forward Louis-François Bélanger, from Collège Notre Dame. Bélanger was selected 21st overall in the second round by Bathurst. The centreman weighs in at 159-pounds and stands five-foot-eight and has a keen hockey sense.
“Versatile forward with high end hockey IQ and an impressive offensive work rate. He makes an impact at both ends of the ice and can create offense in a variety of ways,” said Mayers.
Hailing from The Rock, the second forward to cement himself as a Titan Prospect was St. John’s, Newfoundland’s Ty Peddigrew. The centre competes for Bishop Kearney Selects 15U AAA in the United States. Bathurst selected him 46th overall in the third round.
“Talented forward who loves to score goals. His puck skills are his number one quality but he plays with an edge and invites contact,” said Mayers.
Our third pick was Jacob Rhyno, who competes for the Dartmouth Subarus in Nova Scotia. Rhyno, who stands five-foot-eight and weighs 134-pounds, was selected 77th overall in the fifth round.
“He’s one of the best skaters in the draft. He plays with pace and creates lots of separation when in possession of the puck.”
With the 95th pick in the sixth round, the Titan selected powerhouse forward Landon Paul, who competes for Kimball Union Academy in the United States. Paul, who stands five-foot-seven and weighs 168-pounds, hails from Woodstock, New Brunswick.
“He’s deceptively powerful and strong. He’s dangerous both in open ice and in tight quarters, can bully his way through bodies to get to where he wants to go.”
In the seventh round Bathurst selected their first defencemen during the draft, when they selected Maxence Côté-Bergeron 118th overall. The blueliner competes for the Châteauguay Grenadiers of the QM18AAA league and stands five-foot-nine and weighs 141-pounds.
“He has a great feel for pressure and never panics in possession. Capable of making an accurate first pass or transporting the puck with his feet,” said Mayers.
Titan staff added depth between the pipes and a hometown goalie by selecting Samuel Quimper 121st overall in the seventh round. Originally from Saint-Quentin, the Champions Hockey Academy netminder stands five-foot-10 and weighs 170-pounds.
“He’s a gamer. He’s a goalie who plays his best hockey in the biggest games and doesn’t back down to any challenges.”
In the seventh round the Titan added some height at the blueline by selecting defenceman Moussa Seydi 123rd overall. The six-foot-two, 168-pound defenceman competes for Kuper Academy in Quebec.
“Tall and lean defenseman who’s improved a lot over the course of the season. He manages the puck well and uses his long reach to keep puck carriers to the perimeter,” said Mayers.
Nova Scotia’s Kingsley Austin heard his name called in the eighth round by Bathurst. The Weeks U18 Majors defenceman is five-foot-six, weighing 134-pounds and was selected 131st overall by Bathurst.
“He’s undersized but he doesn’t play like it. He plays with a lot of confidence and is the first to enter battles.”
With the 149th pick in the nineth round, Bathurst selected gritty forward Hugo Cal. Originally from France, the five-foot-11, 152-pound right winger competes for Quebec’s Collège Esther Blondin.
“Forward who plays with lots of intensity. He has his foot on the gas all game long and doesn’t let defensemen have any time to breathe when he’s on the forecheck.”
Another nineth round pick was Nova Scotia’s Luc Legere, who went 152nd overall. Legere, who’s six feet and weighs 170-pounds, competes for the U18 Halifax McDonalds.
“He’s a power forward who can be impactful when he uses his size to his advantage. He can play inside contact and control the puck in traffic impressively.”
New Brunswick prospect and blueliner Zachary Robichaud was chosen 174th in the 10th round on Saturday. Robichaud, who competes for the Fredericton Caps U18 AAA, weighs 150-pounds and stands five-foot-10.
“He’s one of the toughest defensemen to play against in this draft class. He has a mean streak but he also takes care of the puck and breaks out the puck effectively.”
Another 10th round pick is Mount Academy’s Noah Cziment. The centreman from Quebec was selected 176th overall, and stands five-foot-eight and weighs 141-pounds.
“One of the most naturally skilled players in the draft. He’s extremely shifty and difficult to contain in possession, has lots of flair offensively,” said Mayers.
Acadie-Bathurst opened their 11th round by selecting forward Brody Paré 185th overall on Saturday. The New Brunswick hockey product, who is five-foot-nine and weighs 161-pounds, competes for Fredericton Caps U18 AAA.
“He’s the type of forward who makes you notice him on the ice on every shift. He’s a throwback energy forward who plays a heavy game and delivers hard contact.”
Quebec’s Alexandre Dallaire was also selected 195th in the 11th round by Bathurst. The five-foot-nine, 148-pound defenceman competes for the QM18AAA’s Lévis Chevaliers.
“He’s a fluid skater with clean feet. He takes a lot of pride in his defensive play and is tough to create offense against in even strength play.”
In the 12th round, the Titan drafted Fred-Étienne Bernier 203rd overall on Saturday. The versatile forward from Quebec stands five-foot-11, weighs 168-pound and competes for Rouyn-Noranda in the QM17AAA league.
“He has an interesting mix of scoring ability and grit. Has natural scoring instincts and a heavy shot (20 goals in 31 games) but he’s also hard on the forecheck and can play a physical brand of hockey.”
Prince Edward Island’s Ethan Anderson was selected 221st overall in the 13th round on Saturday. The five-foot-nine, 146-pound defenceman competes for Mount Academy.
“One of the best skaters in the draft for defenseman. He’s very fluid and quick in all directions and he makes good decisions with the puck.”
In the 14th round Bathurst selected Nova Scotia’s Maddex Marmulak 239th overall. The five-foot-eight, 130-pound speedy forward competes for the U18 Halifax McDonalds.
“Quick forward who can be dangerous offensively with his acceleration and soft hands. Has good touch as a passer and leads his teammates into soft ice,” said Mayers.
Following the QMJHL Entry Draft, the Titan went on to draft American skaters Alexander Donovan and CJ Watroba in the American Draft. Bathurst chose Donovan first overall on Saturday, and Watroba was drafted 19th overall.