QMJHL STARS BEGIN THEIR SEASONS IN THE NHL
With names such as Brad Marchand, Nikita Kucherov and Nikolaj Ehlers now excelling among the professionals, one question comes up as the National Hockey League (NHL) launches its new season. Who will be the next stars coming from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) to turn heads at the next level?
The month of October always brings mixed emotions to QMJHL general managers. Even though they remain proud of their prodigies, many of them are impatiently awaiting the return of their superstar players who are still enjoying their NHL tryout periods.
With the QMJHL’s regular season calendar having kicked off a few weeks ago, some noteworthy players are still missing. Among the bigger names to begin their seasons in the NHL, you can find players such as forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL / Columbus, NHL), defenceman Samuel Girard (Shawinigan, QMJHL / Nashville, NHL) and the electrifying Nico Hischier (Halifax, QMJHL / New Jersey, NHL).
While it would be a joy to watch them evolve at the major junior level for another season, we still have to tip our hats to the success that they are currently enjoying. With Dubois and Girard barely 19-years-old, and Hischier 18-years-young, it’s undeniable that the trio is bringing a breath of fresh air to an NHL that seems to have taken a youthful turn over the past few years.
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach, John Tortorella, is icing the NHL’s youngest team (24.8-year-old average), which helps explain why he opted to keep Dubois on his roster. A first-round selection – third overall – by Columbus in 2016, Dubois already possesses the physique and experience to play in the NHL. The Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts native has cumulated 199 points over 164 games played in the QMJHL, on top of skating away with a silver medal at the most recent World Juniors.
As for Samuel Girard, he’s been quite a pleasant surprise during the Nashville Predators selection camp. While his 5’10’’ and 161lbs physique falls below the NHL’s average for a defenceman, Girard’s brute talent simply cannot be ignored. Over his QMJHL career, the Roberval native has amassed 192 points in 190 games, totals that include 168 assists, and that make him one of the most productive defencemen in the League’s modern era.
The Stanley Cup finalists already possess a blueliner with a similar frame and skillset to Girard’s in Ryan Ellis, but a knee operation will keep the latter away from the game for the next few months. Is that an opportunity for Girard to prove to the Predators that he can cover for their loss? His presence on the current roster certainly suggests he’ll be getting an opportunity to do so.
And what to say about Nico Hischier? Taken with the very first pick of the most recent NHL entry draft, the young Swiss forward hasn’t ceased blowing people away every time he’s laced up his skates. A generational talent, it wouldn’t be too farfetched to predict the teenager only needed one QMJHL season under his belt before reaching the professional ranks.
As a rookie, Hischier ended his past season with the Halifax Mooseheads with 38 goals and 48 assists, a total of 86 points, in only 57 games played. After beginning his season at the tender age of 17, Hischier was able to surprise the hockey universe by finishing in the 10th spot of the QMJHL’s top scorers.
He has had an immediate impact since his start with the same New Jersey Devils who had the NHL’s third worst offense last season; the young phenom found the back of the net in all four of the pre-season games he’s played in. He also added three assists.
While fans and managers alike would love to see Dubois, Girard and Hischier hit the QMJHL ice sheets in 2017-18, no one can help but smile and applaud the success they are currently having in the world’s best hockey league.
