2025 NHL Draft: Four QMJHL Players In Top 64 In The Hockey News Ranking

jacob titus

Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 5:14 p.m.·2 min read

Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats<p>Photo: David St. Louis</p> — Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats
Photo: David St. Louis

The Hockey News scout and draft analyst Tony Ferrari has dropped his preliminary rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft.

My first 2025 NHL Draft ranking is here @TheHockeyNews!

Michael Misa emerges as the #1 despite a true fight for the top spot including Jame Hagens, Matthew Schaefer, Porter Martone, and darkhorse Victor Eklund!

Let me know what you think! #2025NHLDraft https://t.co/lIzSghrwiS
— Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) December 17, 2024

The list, which features 64 draft eligible players, contains four QMJHL stars -- including two players he believes are first round caliber players.

First round

17. Caleb Desnoyers (C, Moncton Wildcats)

It is no surprise that the Moncton Wildcats star centerman would be first on his list, although he may be a bit lower on his list than on others as EliteProspects has him ranked 10th in their consolidated rankings. That is because Ferrari seems to see Desnoyers more as a complementary player at the NHL level than a bona fide player.

"When Desnoyers can take a step back from being ‘The Guy,’ he becomes an incredibly solid playmaker with some two-way value," he said on the centerman.

Desnoyers has 42 points (17+25) over 26 games this season.

28. Bill Zonnon (LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Perhaps not the player you might've expected after Desnoyers, Bill Zonnon is a welcoming surprise -- both this season and at this spot. The 6-foot-2 forward is ranked much higher here, than consensus which has him in the No. 42 spot.

"Zonnon isn’t likely won’t be a top-of-the-lineup player in the NHL," Ferrari says of Zonnon. "But as a complementary, physical forechecker who can keep up with higher-skill players, Zonnon could excel," he adds.

The Huskies alternate captain has 45 points (16+29) across 31 games so far.

Second round

44. Alex Huang (D, Chicoutimi Saguenéens)

Alex Huang is one of the QMJHL prospects whose draft stock slipped the most since the 2024-25 season has gotten underway. Once considered a first round draft candidate, especially with a strong performance at the Hlinka-Gretzky in August, his 14 points (1+13) over 31 games has caused a lot of scouts to reconsider him.

Ranked 65th on the consolidated rankings, Ferrari still believes in his package of skating and skill.

51. Justin Carbonneau (RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Perhaps Ferrari's hottest take is where he has Justin Carbonneau slotted at. Ranked 18th by consolidated rankings, Ferrari has the Armada superstar at 51. This is a real doozy as there isn't a single scout listed by EliteProspects who has him ranked this low.

Carbonneau has 45 points (22+23) over 31 games with Blainville thus far, and was one of the two QMJHL players selected, alongside Caleb Desnoyers, to the CHL/USA Prospects Game.

Make sure to check out Tony Ferrari's full ranking here.