Five Imports to Watch in the 2024-25 Season

Limited to just two non-Canadian or American players per team, imports are some of the most scrutinized players in junior hockey.

If an import isn't playing well, they'll quickly end up on the trade block -- or worse, the chopping block.

That's why teams generally ensure that the imports that they bring on the team either

A. Are already proven in either European pro or juniors

or

B. Seem to have potential but are being underutilized or don't have enough of a spotlight in Europe

Below are five imports who should have a major impact on the QMJHL for the 2024-25 season.

RW Matvei Gridin (Val-d'Or)

Gridin is an obvious choice given both his NHL draft status (2024 Calgary Flames first round pick) and his uncertainty with staying in Val-d'Or.

Gridin is both adapted to the American game and a proven junior scorer, thanks to his two seasons in the USHL with Muskegon. Last year, he finished first in the USHL in points, netting 83 (38+45) across 60 games.

The going rumour is that the top prospect will get dealt by Val-d'Or at the start of the regular season.

See more:

Related: Matvei Gridin's Fate May Soon Be Decided

LW Juraj Pekarcik (Moncton)

Speaking of imports who played in the USHL last season and didn't report to the QMJHL team that drafted them, Moncton's Juraj Pekarcik.

The St. Louis Blues 2023 third round pick didn't report to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan last season, after he was taken with the second overall pick in the import draft. He opted to play for Dubuque of the USHL, where he tallied 59 points (9+50) across just 43 games. His 50 assists were good for 2nd in the entire league, despite only dressing for two thirds of the season due to injury.

Pekarcik will look to set up his teammates on Moncton, as they set themselves up for a deep playoff run.

LW/RW Eriks Mateiko (Saint John)

Eriks Mateiko is the first QMJHL returner on this list, as he'll suit up for his third season in the league and on the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Mateiko is coming off a 43 point season (23+20), although only because he suited up for just 49 games.

Despite losing a chunk of his season due to injury, the 6-foot-5 left winger was selected in the third round by the Washington Capitals.

He will look to prove the Caps front office right in their decision to take him.

G Jakub Milota (Cape Breton)

Last season went to plan for Jakub Milota.

Coming into the QMJHL as a 17-year old, he played exceptionally well behind established goaltender Nicholas Ruccia.

Milota posted a .905 save percentage over 33 games, which was the highest among QMJHL draft eligibles. This total was not only good enough to earn the starting job in Cape Breton this season, but also enough to hear the Nashville Predators call his name in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Now Cape Breton's king of the crease, Milota will look to expand on his strong rookie campaign and become one of the league's top netminders.

D Peteris Bulans (Chicoutimi)

19-year-old Peteris Bulans is the sole undrafted player on this list.

In his draft year, he was cut from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan after just two games. The Saguenéens would claim him off waivers and offer him a second chance -- one that neither he nor they would come to regret as since then Bulans has been a standout defender.

Just last season, the Latvian defender potted 42 points (4+38) across 59 games.

Now in his third season, the sky is the limit for Bulans and the Sags, who are both primed for a breakout year.

Honorable mentions:

• D Carlos Handel (Halifax)

• D Jan Golicic (Gatineau)

• G Linards Feldbergs (Sherbrooke)

Related: Bergeron, Daigle Among Five Inducted in QMJHL Hall of Fame

Related: Mackinnon, Kucherov Top List of Highest-Rated Former QMJHL Players in NHL 25

Related: Most Gentlemanly Player Award To Be Named After David Desharnais