82 QMJHL Graduates named to NHL Opening Day Rosters
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League proudly announced today that 405 CHL graduates are listed on National Hockey League opening day rosters representing over 53% of all players in the league to start the 2015-16 season.
Of the 405 players, 11 finished the 2014-15 season in the CHL including seven who are returning-eligible as 18 and 19-year-old players led by first overall pick and CHL Player of the Year Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters set to make his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers when they open their season Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues.
The 405 CHL graduates on NHL rosters includes 178 players from the Ontario Hockey League, 145 from the Western Hockey League, and 82 from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
In addition, a total of 354 returning eligible CHL players attended NHL Training Camps this season including 155 from the OHL, 126 from the WHL, and 73 from the QMJHL.
CHL players on active Opening Day NHL rosters:
2015 NHL Draft (97-born):
Connor McDavid (Erie Otters) selected 1st overall by the Edmonton Oilers
Daniel Sprong (Charlottetown Islanders) selected 46th overall by the Pittsbugh Penguins
2014 NHL Draft (96-born):
Sam Reinhart (Kootenay Ice) selected 2nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres*
Sam Bennett (Kingston Frontenacs) selected 4th overall by the Calgary Flames
Jake Virtanen (Calgary Hitmen) selected 6th overall by the Vancouver Canucks
Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax Mooseheads) selected 9th overall by the Winnipeg Jets
Robby Fabbri (Guelph Storm) selected 21st overall by the St. Louis Blues
Jared McCann (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) selected 24th overall by the Vancouver Canucks
* player is a late-1995 birthday
2013 NHL Draft (95-born):
Max Domi (London Knights) selected 12th overall by the Arizona Coyotes
Nicolas Petan (Portland Winterhawks) selected 43rd overall by the Winnipeg Jets
Anthony Duclair (Quebec Remparts) selected 80th overall by the New York Rangers (now with Arizona Coyotes)
The CHL continues to be the number one supplier of talent to the NHL.
