Which American-Born Players Could Be Targets To Join The QMJHL?

Recently we have witnessed two major shifts to the US to QMJHL pipeline.

This summer saw the dissolution of the American draft, which had been historically unsuccessful in luring talent to Eastern Canada -- with only one player of 216 making the move to the 'Q' from the draft thus far despite featuring many notable names such as top-10 NHL picks Will Smith (San Jose) and Ryan Leonard (Washington).

Just last week, the NCAA has ruled that players can now play in the CHL without risking their collegiate hockey eligibility.

Already, even in anticipation for of this move, the QMJHL has seen a number of college-linked and committed players jump to the league including Saint John's Zach Morin (Boston University), Acadie-Bathurst's Maddex Marmulak (Cornell), Charlottetown's Jude Herron (Maine) and it is believed that Detroit Red Wings prospect goaltender Rudy Guimond (Yale) may soon join the list as he is linked to Moncton.

Commissioner Mario Cecchini spoke recently about the changes and mentioned that the hope is that the league will be able to lure in more American talent -- something that the league has been trying to do for decades.

With these changes, we can expect many more to come. Although in order to join the league, you need to have been drafted to it (or another CHL league) beforehand, or at least get a camp invite.

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Related: CHL Players Eligible For NCAA As Of Next Year. What Does This Mean For The QMJHL?

2004-borns (overagers)

As there's only three overage slots for QMJHL teams, the criterea of who might be considered good candidates to jump over to the league is quite strict.

The 2020 American draft featured a fair few great talents who wouldn't make the move as they are already in the NCAA including San Jose Sharks second round centerman Cam Lund (Northeastern), Minnesota Wild fourth round defenseman Ryan Healey (Harvard), New Jersey Devils fourth rounder defenseman Charlie Leddy (Quinnipiac) among others.

However there are two intriguing names that have the resume to make the jump, but have yet to play in the NCAA.

A possible target for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar could be defender Shaun McEwen (2021, #4), who has put up seven points (2+5) in 15 games with the USHL's Tri-City Storm and is committed to the University of Miami.

The Drakkar's overagers currently look like Devils prospect centerman Matyas Melovsky (25 in 14), defenseman Anthony Lavoie (4 in 19) and right winger Jules Boilard (11 in 19).

The last-place Gatineau Olympiques could target right winger Greyson Badger (2021, #21), who has 16 points (7+9) across 16 games in the BCHL with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, who is committed to Northeastern.

The team's overager situation currently looks like right winger Jeremie Minville (20 in 19), left winger Julien Paille (8 in 14) and defenseman Taos Jordan (4 in 13).

2005-borns

With no restrictions on any players born sooner than 2004, there are plenty of strong candidates who could make the jump to the 'Q' as soon as this season.

Forward Christopher Battaini (Halifax, 2021 6th overall)

• 13 points (6+7) over 16 games with Sherwood Park (BCHL)

• Merrimack commit

Left winger Alex Pelletier (Blainville-Boisbriand, 2021 11th overall)

• 10 points (5+5) over 16 games with the Lincoln Stars (USHL)

• Cornell commit

Left winger Owen Leahy (Victoriaville, 2021 13th overall)

• 16 points (6+10) over 21 games with the New Jersey Jr. Titans (NAHL)

• Uncommitted

Center Ryan Flaherty (Baie-Comeau, 2021 19th overall)

• 15 points (9+6) over 19 games with the Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)

• Holy Cross commit

Defenseman Shawn Leary (Charlottetown, 2021 36th overall)

• Nine points (3+6) over 21 games with the New Jersey Jr. Titans (NAHL)

• Uncommitted

Right winger Landan Resendes (Rimouski, 2022 10th overall)

• Six points (2+4) over 16 games with the Youngstown Phantoms and the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL)

• Boston College commit

Right winger Patrick Murphy (Saint John, 2022 16th overall)

• 10 points (6+4) over 15 games with the Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL)

• Uncommitted

2006-borns

Defenseman Deke Davidson (Cape Breton, 2022 1st overall)

• Two points over 13 games with the Chippawa Steel and the Minnesota Mallards (NAHL)

• Uncommitted

Centerman Jack Galanak (Drummondville, 2022 9th overall)

• 10 points (4+6) over 15 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

• UMass commit

Defenseman Andrew O'Sullivan (Cape Breton, 2022 19th overall)

• Six points (2+4) over 14 games with the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

• Uncommitted

Defenseman Caeden Herrington (Moncton, 2022 25th overall)

• Eight points (4+4) over 14 games with the Lincoln Stars (USHL)

• Vermont commit

Centerman Ryan Staples (Blainville-Boisbriand, 2022 26th overall)

• Six points (4+2) over 18 games with the Coquitlam Express (BCHL)

• Yale commit

Forward Ronald Hill (Charlottetown, 2022 35th overall)

• Nine points (3+6) over 13 games with the Wisconsin Windigo (NAHL)

• Uncommitted

Center Kolin Sisson (Gatineau, 2023 15th overall)

• Nine points (6+3) over 17 games with the Chicago Steel (USHL)

• Providence commit

Right winger Niko Tournas (Sherbrooke, 2023 34th overall)

• 20 points (11+9) over 17 games with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NAHL)

• New Hampshire commit

2007-borns

Forward Alexander Donovan (Acadie-Bathurst, 2023 1st overall)

• 22 points (14+8) over 19 games with the Shattuck St. Mary's (US Prep)

• Denver commit

Center Teddy Mutryn (Val-d'Or, 2023 2nd overall)

• Nine points (6+3) over 17 games with the Chicago Steel (USHL)

• Boston College commit

Forward Cameron Caron (Sherbrooke, 2023 16th overall)

• Six points (2+4) over 11 games with the Surrey Eagles (BCHL)

• Northeastern commit

2008-borns

With the dissolution of the American draft, all 2008-borns were drafted in the normal QMJHL draft.

Defenseman Loic Nasreddine (Moncton, 2024 123rd overall)

• 19 points (1+18) over 19 games with the Dallas Stars Elite (U-16 AAA)

• Northeastern commit

Defenseman Brian McFadden (Saint John, 2024 133th overall)

• 24 points (6+18) over 27 games with the East Coast Militia (U-16 AAA)

• Uncommitted

Center Matthew Krayer (Saint John, 2024 239th overall)

• 42 points (16+26) over 25 games with Mount St. Charles (U-16 AAA)

• Uncommitted

Right Winger William Bent (Halifax, 2024 251st overall)

• 18 points (8+10) over 13 games with Mount St. Charles (U-16 AAA)

• Providence commit

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