Joseph appears poised to be top pick

Phénix du Collège Esther-Blondin

Less than 24 hours until the opening round of the 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft, all signs continue to point towards Alexis Joseph being the first overall selection.

The 6'4", 192 lbs forward was ranked No. 1 in QMJHL Central Scouting's final rankings. This week, Puck Preps also ranked Joseph as the No. 1 player available, which comes after previously having forward James Scantlebury ranked first.

"For the team that drafts Joseph, I think you’re getting one of the higher ceiling players to come out of the province in quite some time and a future superstar center for your franchise," writes Austin Robson of Puck Preps.

If everything we're hearing is right, Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix forward Alexis Joseph will be the first pick of the 2025 QMJHL Draft. Puck Preps Eastern Canadian scout Austin Robson believes that’s the right call for the @SJSeaDogs.

Full episode👇

🔗 https://t.co/1yRSlgLzj4 pic.twitter.com/fpzMns2GNm

— Puck Preps Eastern Canada (@PuckPrepsEastCa) June 3, 2025

The Saint John Sea Dogs will select first overall Friday night at Quebec City's Videotron Centre. The first-round will take place Friday beginning at 8 p.m. Atlantic while the remaining 11 rounds will be held Saturday morning.

Joseph told Le Journal de Montreal this week that the QMJHL has always been his No. 1 option, further solidifying him as the likely first overall selection. The big question about Joseph – and a lot of the players being picked this weekend – is how long do they plan to stay in the league?

One interesting note on Joseph is that one of his representatives is former Sea Dogs defenseman Charles-Olivier Roussel, who now works with the Wasserman agency. 

In a Journal de Quebec article, Roussel wouldn't confirm how long Joseph plans to stay in the league, citing he – and all players in the QMJHL – will look at their options on a year-to-year basis.

Joseph's name has been known by QMJHL followers for a number of years now. There was talk last year about him potentially applying for exceptional player status. 

In 56 games with Phénix du Collège Esther-Blondin in the Quebec AAA circuit this past season, the centre registered 23 goals and 33 assists. He added another six points in four playoff games.

"Joseph’s dominance, both offensive and physical, was lauded by both fans and scouts at the QMJHL Cup back in April, as he tied for the tournament lead in both points with seven (3G, 4A) and penalty minutes with four," stated the Newfoundland Regiment's draft preview.

Adding a forward of Joseph's caliber would be a huge addition to Saint John's lineup. The team averaged a league low 2.38 goals per game last season.

The Sea Dogs haven't picked first overall since 2019 when they selected forward Joshua Roy.