Notebook: Q prospects picked in USHL Draft

Two of the top prospects for the upcoming QMJHL Entry Draft were high picks in last week's USHL Draft.

Defenseman Cameron Chartrand, ranked as the fifth best skater for this year's Entry Draft by QMJHL Central Scouting, went 17th overall to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders while Maddox Dagenais, the top ranked prospect, went 25th overall to the Sioux City Musketeers. 

These selections could end up meaning nothing in terms of the QMJHL Entry Draft and these players report to the league... but it could also be the beginnings of a college hockey pathway.

Been talk about @ridertownusa Phase I draft pick Cameron Chartrand being high pick in QMJHL draft. Riders Coach/GM Mark Carlson said "We're thrilled with Cam. He is real excited to play in Cedar Rapids, really excited about going the college route. We couldn't be happier." #USHL

— Jeff Johnson (@jeje66) May 8, 2024

Other notable selections in Phase I of the draft:

• Maxim Dubé went 31st overall to the Madison Capitols (ranked 27th by QMJHL Central Scouting).
• Dylan Rozzi went 56th overall to the Youngstown Phantoms (ranked 11th).
• Frisco, Texas native Loic Nasreddine went 123rd overall to the Des Moines Buccaneers. He's eligible for the QMJHL Entry Draft because of his father. 
• Alexandre Taillefer went 125th overall to the Chicago Steel (ranked 12th).

Check out this Twitter feed for more on the QMJHL prospects picked.

WILDCAST

I went on the Wildcast podcast this week to discuss the Gardiner MacDougall rumours and the status of the Sea Dogs heading into next month's QMJHL Entry Draft.

TOPS IN THE ATLANTIC

Here's a quick glance at the top ranked Atlantic Canadians by QMJHL Central Scouting for next month's Entry Draft. Again, Tynan Lawrence has tendered to play in the USHL next season, so he could slide down the draft.

Congratulations to the 24 Atlantic Canadians who cracked the Top 90 final central scouting rankings for the upcoming QMJHL Draft being held in Moncton, June 7-8! 🏒 pic.twitter.com/lx0a2wl8k5

— Atlantic Puck (@atlanticpuck) May 7, 2024

EXCEPTIONAL

As expected, Landon DuPont was selected first overall by the Everett Silvertips in last week's WHL Prospects Draft. DuPont is just the second player to be granted exceptional player status into the WHL, following Connor Bedard.

Just nine players have been granted exceptional player status into the CHL, including Joe Veleno, who the Sea Dogs picked first overall in 2015.

From the CHL:

Since the exceptional status rule was created in 2005, there have been nine players and just three defencemen in CHL history who have been granted exceptional player status: forward John Tavares (2005; Oshawa Generals / London Knights / OHL), defenceman Aaron Ekblad (2011; Barrie Colts / OHL), forward Connor McDavid (2012; Erie Otters / OHL), defenceman Sean Day (2013; Mississauga Steelheads / Windsor Spitfires / Kingston Frontenacs / OHL), forward Joe Veleno (2015; Saint John Sea Dogs / Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL), forward Shane Wright (2019; Kingston Frontenacs / Windsor Spitfires / OHL), forward Connor Bedard (2020; Regina Pats / WHL), forward Michael Misa (2022; Saginaw Spirit / OHL), and now defenceman Landon DuPont (2024; Everett Silvertips).

The 14-year-old DuPont, who is eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, posted 19 goals and 43 assists in 30 games with the Edge School U18 Prep squad in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.

OTHER THINGS

• Former Sea Dogs forward Raivis Ansons was named to the Latvian national team this past week for the IIHF World Championship. Ansons recorded an assist and had two shots in Latvia's 5-4 overtime win over Poland on Saturday.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Chris DiDomenico finished 14th in National League (Switzerland) scoring with 41 points (12 goals and 29 assists) in 52 games with HC Fribourg-Gottéron.
• It looks like former Sea Dogs forward Josh Lawrence could be on the move. Lawrence had 30 goals and 52 points in 45 games, leading EHC Winterthur of the Swiss League in scoring by a large margin.

  Rumor Alert 📢
  
  A website overseas is reporting that Fredericton, New Brunswick's Josh Lawrence is signing with HC Sierre of the Swiss League🇨🇭.
  
  Lawrence would be a big addition to any team as he finished third in League scoring last year with HC Winterthur.#NewBrunswick… pic.twitter.com/Ng0bYXqoJw

  — Maritime Hockey (@HockeyMaritime) May 8, 2024

• Also courtesy of Maritime Hockey, it looks another ex-Dog, Matt Murphy, is on the move overseas.

Couple more free agents hitting the market as Zach Sill and Matt Murphy will not be rejoining their teams next season.

Murphy played 48 games with the Manchester Storm🇬🇧 and collected 22 points helping them qualify for the playoffs.

Sill played one season with Val Pusteria🇦🇹,… pic.twitter.com/VbZEPseqdQ

— Maritime Hockey (@HockeyMaritime) May 10, 2024

• A couple notable picks from Phase II of the USHL Draft:
• Brady Peddle, the younger brother of Sea Dogs forward Tyler Peddle, was picked 35th overall by the Waterloo Blackhawks. Peddle, who recently committed to Michigan State University, was a third-round pick of the Gatineau Olympiques last season.
• Saint John native Connor Arsenault, a former Saint John Vito's forward who has spent the past two seasons at Ontario's St. Andrew's College, was selected 16th overall by the Sioux City Musketeers. Arsenault, who has committed to Cornell University, was a fourth-round pick of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in 2022.
• Another note on the USHL: Quispamsis native Liam Kilfoil was the lone player to sign a tender with a USHL team last year and not play in the league. Kilfoil was drafted into the QMJHL by Halifax and spent last season with the Mooseheads.