Huskies to draft first overall
The QMJHL held its lottery earlier today at the RDS offices for the 2026 Draft presented by Fenplast, and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies have won the first overall pick.
The Huskies will select first overall for the first time since relocating to Rouyn-Noranda in 1996. The organization had previously held this privilege in 1989, when it was known as the Saint-Hyacinthe Laser. Patrick Poulin was chosen first overall then.
The Huskies were the favorites to win the lottery with 9 balls out of 21 (42.9% odds), through a pick that originally belonged to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, who finished 18th and last in the QMJHL standings.
Rouyn-Noranda will pick first ahead of the Victoriaville Tigres, who moved up from fourth to second place thanks to the lottery. The Bois-Francs team had only two balls (9.5%) in play.
The Halifax Mooseheads secured the third overall pick, holding the second-best odds (28.6%, 6 balls) via a pick acquired from the Rimouski Océanic.
Like Halifax, the Shawinigan Cataractes (3 balls, 14.3%) dropped one spot, while the Saint John Sea Dogs (1 ball, 4.8%) remained in fifth position. The Dogs won the lottery last year and selected Alexis Joseph.
The 2026 QMJHL Draft, presented by Fenplast, will take place on June 5 and 6 in Halifax.
