(Sherbrooke) Unsurprisingly, forward Caleb Desnoyers was the first player selected during the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League selection session, the first under the supervision of new commissioner Mario Cecchini, Saturday at the Palais des sports Léopold -Drolet of Sherbrooke.
Desnoyers, 16, was the pick of the Moncton Wildcats, the same organization that selected his brother Elliot, also in the first round, five years ago.
The Wildcats had obtained this choice in a trade with the Foreurs de Val-d’Or. Then, at the end of April, they had won the draw to determine which organization would have the privilege of making the first choice among the five in the running.
In his first season in the Quebec U18 AAA Hockey Development League with the Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe, Desnoyers, a six-foot-one, 163-pound center, had 23 goals and 53 points in 42 games.
In an analysis published last March on the QMJHL website, Pierre Cholette, director of the circuit’s Central Scouting, described Desnoyers as a young center player in full growth and progress.
“He has a sense of the game, a sense of anticipation as well as a vision that are above average. He has a good shot that we would like to see him shoot more frequently. He is an excellent passer and game maker, who pays attention to the smallest details, “said Cholette about Desnoyers, whose father, David, a former defenseman, played in the QMJHL with the Saint-Hyacinthe Laser between 1991 and 1995.
Immediately after, Émile Guité, a teammate of Desnoyers with the Gauls, was chosen by the Saguenéens of Chicoutimi. This is the first time since 2008 that two players from the same team are the first two players selected in the QMJHL draft.
That year, Brandon Gormley, a defenseman for the Notre Dame Hounds, was the first pick of the draft, by Moncton, followed by forward Sean Couturier, by the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
In 41 games with the Saint-Hyacinthe team, Guité has amassed 26 goals and 48 points.
“He has a good offensive flair, he who likes to throw shots and who has a lively shot,” noted Katerine Aubry-Hébert, CSR scout. “He’s got good puck skills and he’s responsible defensively. »
Desnoyers and Guité were established as No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, respectively, on the final list of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Recruiting Support Center last May.
Alex Huang, of the Saint-Eustache Vikings, was the first defender claimed, in fifth place, by the Saguenéens who held three of the first five draft picks.
William Lacelle, of the Lac St-Louis Lions organization, was the first goaltender chosen, in 10th place, by the Rimouski Océanic.