Dubois taken 3rd overall by Jackets

BUFFALO, NY – The first surprise of the NHLDraft came with the third overall pick.

Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine went first and second overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets, respectively – as expected. But with the third overall selection, the Columbus Blue Jackets opted to take Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Dubois city pic.twitter.com/vHXi1EYVGp

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) June 24, 2016

While it wasn’t an off the board pick, Dubois was projected to go lower in the top 10, likely around five or six. But the Jackets chose to take the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles forward over Jesse Puljujarvi and Matthew Tkachuk.

Val-d’Or’s Julien Gauthier, who went 21^st overall to the Carolina Hurricanes, was the only other QMJHL player to be selected in the first round.

Gauthier to the Canes pic.twitter.com/fjYt2sirSK

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) June 25, 2016

It’s not a great draft year for the QMJHL, but a number of players should be chosen early Saturday when rounds 2-7 take place. Among them could be Sea Dogs defenseman Luke Green.

Sea Dogs forward Nathan Noel and defenseman Oliver Felixson could also be selected while prospects Marshall Rifai and Jamie Armstrong could be picked as well.

The second portion of the draft takes place on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. at Buffalo’s First Niagara Centre.