Hischier highlights quiet night for QMJHL

The first few minutes of the 2017 NHL Draft's first round were big for the QMJHL. Beyond that, it was fairly quiet.

The New Jersey Devils opted to keep the first overall pick and select Halifax Mooseheads forward Nico Hischier. The Devils chose the Swiss star over Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick, who had been ranked first by most draft publications up until a few weeks ago.

Hischier joins a pretty exclusive club of QMJHL players who have been selected first overall.

1er choix total #LHJMQ

Lafleur-71
Hawerchuk-81
Lemieux-84
Turgeon-87
Daigle-93
Lecavalier-98
Fleury-03
Crosby-05
Mackinnon-13
Hischier-17

— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) June 23, 2017

Saturday Night Live's Kyle Mooney sent out a completely random tweet congratulating Hischier.

congrats 2 @nicohischier for being no. 1 draftpick by @NJDevils ..this #sportsfanatic right here is excited! #teams #devilsdraft #onejersey pic.twitter.com/cJnqRI1Aw5

— Kyle Mooney (@kylemooney) June 24, 2017

The only other QMJHL player to be selected in the first round was Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph who was taken 23rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes.

The selection brought us this great moment of smiles from his brother - Saint John Sea Dogs forward Mathieu Joseph.



With the 28th overall pick, the Ottawa Senators selected Sea Dogs draft pick Shane Bowers. The Halifax native was on the bubble to be picked in the opening round.

Bowers, who has spent the past two seasons with the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks, is committed to Boston University for next season. Will the Sens drafting him improve the chances of Bowers reporting to Saint John? It's hard to say. The Sea Dogs have plenty of connections with the Ottawa organization. But, the Sens are also an NCAA friendly team. So...

The rest of the NHL Draft takes place tomorrow. Sea Dogs goaltender Alex D'Orio and forward Cedric Pare could be selected.