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Sunday, June 7, 2020

Notebook: Carruthers, Drapeau react to draft

The QMJHL did a tremendous job with its draft broadcast on Friday night. When comparing the broadcast to what the NFL did a few weeks ago, there were only a few pieces missing: notably studio analysis of picks and player reaction.

Fortunately, TVA Sports' Mikael Lalancette gave us all the analysis, hosting an outstanding one-man Facebook Live (with guests popping in by video) on both Friday and Saturday. Now, the league is giving us some player reaction.

Here's Leighton Carruthers, selected third overall by the Sea Dogs...


... and Nathan Drapeau, picked 15th overall by Saint John.

Good stuff - but here's hoping we're all back in a rink for the 2021 draft.

UP NEXT
So... now what?

With the QMJHL Entry Draft completed, teams will turn their focus to the two remaining drafts: Monday's American QMJHL Entry Draft and the June 30 CHL Import Draft.

In the American draft, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., the Sea Dogs have picks eight and 26. Last year the Sea Dogs picked forward Anthony Cafarelli second overall and David Sacco (a University of New Hampshire commit) 20th.

The Maritime Hockey League Draft, meanwhile, takes place next Saturday. Some of the players selected by the Sea Dogs this past weekend could have their junior A rights picked then.

VELENO DEAL
The Sea Dogs acquired five draft picks in the 2017 blockbuster deal that saw Joe Veleno traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. With the selection of Nathan Drapeau on Friday, all of those picks have now been used.

2018 1st round (Gatineau) - Jeremie Poirier
2018 2nd round (Quebec) - Brady Burns
2019 1st round (Blainville) - Joshua Roy
2019 2nd round* (Halifax) - Charles Savoie
2020 1st round (Drummondville) - Nathan Drapeau

*Originally Drummondville's 2020 second round pick, the Sea Dogs moved this pick to acquire Halifax's 2019 second round pick, which resulted in the drafting of Charles Savoie.

PLENTY OF FOURTHS
The Sea Dogs picked three times in the fourth round on Saturday, taking forward Davide Patella 59th, defenseman Guillaume Richard 62nd and defenseman Duncan Ramsay 70th.

Notables to be taken by the Sea Dogs in previous fourth rounds: Spencer Smallman, Nathan Beaulieu and Mike Thomas.

WORDS OF WISDOM
Some nice words from current Sea Dogs defenseman - and a former second overall pick in the QMJHL Entry Draft - William Villeneuve.
WILL NAUSE REPORT?
Will Evan Nause report to the QMJHL this time around?

After being selected sixth overall in 2019 by the Val-d'Or Foreurs, Nause opted to play in the USHL, resulting in the Foreurs releasing his right. On Friday night, the Quebec Remparts chose the Riverview defenseman fifth overall.

There's still no guarantee that Nause, 17, will play in the QMJHL - but the Remparts seem confident. Head coach and general manager Patrick Roy told le Journal de Quebec that he believes there is a 75% chance Nause reports to the team.
ELBOW BUMPS
An underrated moment from the draft: Tristan Luneau with the COVID era elbow bump.
Luneau was the consensus No. 1 pick even with his commitment to the University of Wisconsin. Gatineau media reported Friday that he has indeed signed with the Olympiques.

BIG DEAL
Here's a good summary of the Jakob Pelletier deal, which took forever to process during the first round. What looked like a straight up two team deal at the time ended up involving three teams with the Wildcats immediately moving the eighth overall pick they acquired from the Foreurs to the Olympiques in exchange for the 13th overall selection and other picks.
This trade was only move made in the first round that involved current players.

DRAFT HQ
A lot of teams brought their staffs physically together for the draft. Note the respect to physical distance.

SOME NOTES
Goaltender Riley Mercer, the brother of Dawson Mercer, was taken in the second round by Drummondville. Mercer was also the first Newfoundlander taken...  forward Sam Oliver was the first Rothesay Netherwood player taken, going 27th overall to Charlottetown... there were four goaltenders taken in the second round, including three consecutively... Kiefer Lyons was the first Saint John Vito selected, going 91st overall to Cape Breton... Michael Lastarza, who spent last season at Shattuck St. Mary's and was ranked seventh overall by HockeyProspect.com, landed in Drummondville with the 125th overall pick. He is expected to play with USHL Waterloo this season.
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