Final QMJHL Entry Draft rankings released

OMHA

QMJHL Central Scouting has unveiled its final rankings ahead of next month's Entry Draft.

Topping the list is Maddox Dagenais, a Montreal born forward who spent this past season playing with the Quinte Red Devils in the Ontario under-16 circuit. Dagenais posted 42 goals and 81 points in 35 games.

Ranked second is Fredericton native Tynan Lawrence, the brother of former Saint John Sea Dogs forward Josh Lawrence. The 15-year-old posted 22 goals and 49 points in 50 games at Shattuck St. Mary's this past season.

In a perfect world, the Sea Dogs trading up to land Lawrence would make a lot of sense. But Lawrence has tendered with the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks for next season and seems poised to take the college hockey route. This all makes Lawrence a wildcard in terms of where he'll get picked on draft day.

There are a number of higher end prospects believed to be playing the college hockey card, which will complicate this year's draft. Lawrence's teammates from the Youth Olympic Games – where Sea Dogs head coach Travis Crickard was an assistant – appear to both be looking at other options. Nova Scotia forward Aiden O'Donnell was already picked in the OHL Draft while defenseman Cameron Chartrand, ranked fifth after playing this past season at a US prep school, is believed to be looking at college hockey options.

With O'Donnell gone to the OHL, Lawrence was the lone Atlantic Canadian ranked in the top-20 by Central Scouting.

The Sea Dogs currently pick fifth and eighth in this year's draft – but that could always change. The Cape Breton Eagles currently own the first overall pick.

The QMJHL Entry Draft takes place June 7-8 in Moncton.