The QMJHL announced Tuesday that the 2024 edition of the league's annual draft will be held at Moncton's Avenir Centre on Saturday, June 8.
“The draft marks the beginning of a new chapter for these talented athletes,” said commissioner Mario Cecchini, who attended Tuesday's press conference in Moncton. “It is a great opportunity to connect with the people who will be supporting them both on and off the ice throughout their major junior careers. It is the perfect way to welcome them into the QMJHL family.”
It's the first time the event has been held in the Maritimes since Saint John in 2017. Moncton last hosted the event in 2009 at the Moncton Coliseum.
This year's draft was held in Sherbrooke — the first in-person event since 2019 because of the pandemic.
The Wildcats selected first overall in June's draft, picking forward Caleb Desnoyers. We won't know who will be picking first in Moncton until next April — but it could be the Saint John Sea Dogs. Saint John currently owns the first round pick of the Gatineau Olympiques who, if they continue to dismantle their team, could be in the conversation for the draft lottery.
It's been quite a year for hockey at the Avenir Centre. The venue co-hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship with Halifax this past winter and will host the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January.
“With the support of Events Moncton, we are proud to once again be chosen to host the QMJHL Entry Draft in Moncton,” said Robert Irving, president of the Wildcats, in a news release. “We’re looking forward to next season as we’ll not only host the draft, but also the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. It promises to be an exciting year for our fans and the community.”
The Wildcats haven't been secretive about their intentions to bid on hosting the 2025 Memorial Cup, a process that should heat up in the fall.
“We are all in,” says @monctonwildcats president Robert Irving re approach to put together a bid for 2025 Memorial Cup.
— Kevin Barrett (@KevinBarrettNB) July 11, 2023
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