• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Other Leagues
CHL
QMJHL

5 Underrated QMJHL Draft-Eligible Prospects

By Mark Jones September 25th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

In a few weeks, the wait will finally be over for the young men waiting for a chance to hear their names called at the 2020 NHL Draft. This year, the draft will be held virtually, but the significance of getting your name called will carry the same weight.

The QMJHL has some top prospects, none bigger than the consensus first overall pick, Alexis Lafreniere, but the pool of draft-eligible players in The Q is deep and interesting. Here is a look at five players who may not have the same hype as the top names, but should be given a good look by general managers.

Theo Rochette

Theo Rochette is a skilled center who can do a lot of things well. He put up 39 points in 49 games played this past QMJHL season. He was originally drafted by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens but was traded to the Quebec Remparts midseason. He can change directions very quickly which helps him be a very effective playmaker, and he has a good head for the game. Although his puck and passing skills are his biggest asset, he can also finish with flair. Rochette is also good defensively and in the face-off dot, but as he gains more strength he will improve in those areas.

Theo Rochette Quebec Remparts
Theo Rochette of the Quebec Remparts has turned some heads in the QMJHL and is being watched closely be NHL General Managers (Jonathan Roy)

Rochette holds dual citizenship in Canada and Switzerland and played overseas for many seasons before coming back to play in the QMJHL. Most draft lists project him to go in the mid-to-late rounds and he will be a good get for teams in that range.

Elliot Desnoyers

Traded to the Halifax Mooseheads in the off-season, Elliot Desnoyers opened some eyes last season while playing for the Moncton Wildcats. He put up 11 goals and 24 assists on a team loaded with talent and built to contend for the Memorial Cup.

Related: 2013 NHL Draft – Where Are They Now?

He plays a complete 200-foot game, can play wing and center, and has a reputation for being a high character player on and off the ice. His skating has improved and he has a very accurate shot and above-average hockey sense. He is projected to go in the later rounds, but he could be a very solid pro and teams should give him a hard look.

Jacob Dion

Jacob Dion is a very interesting prospect who put up monster numbers for a D-man last season playing for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. He is an undersized player who plays bigger than he is. Extremely skilled with the puck especially on the power play, he can create offense consistently. The most impressive aspect of his 51 points last season was the fact he registered 17 goals from the back end which tied him for third in QMJHL scoring for a defenseman.

In my first Drummondville viewing this season, I noticed the impressive tool kit that Jacob Dion has.

Later on in the season, he scored this beauty. Split the defense and was tripped near the crease, but still managed to score.

Highlight reel goal. pic.twitter.com/dzaYmRlJyT

— Josh Tessler (@JoshTessler_) May 8, 2020

Dion was ranked No. 202 for North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting which would project him to go in the late rounds. The way the NHL is trending and the need for skilled puck-moving D-men could make him a steal for a team looking to improve in that area.

William Dufour

William Dufour is a big, strong right-shot winger for the Drummondville Voltigeurs who can flat out score. He has the ability to protect the puck well and at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, he is tough to deal with. He drives the net hard and gets to areas where he can produce. Has a good quick release and does a good job of changing angles when he shoots. He also causes havoc in front of the opposing cage, creating screens and chaos for goaltenders.

Dufour will be tough for general managers to ignore because of his upside. He does need work on his skating and edges, but NHL clubs are equipped to help prospects improve that. What he brings to the table with his size and scoring ability will make him hard to pass on.

Charlie Desroches

Although Charlie Desroches has sat in the shadow of Jeremie Poirier playing for the Saint John Sea Dogs, that doesn’t mean he wants to remain there. Poirier is projected to go in the first two rounds in the draft and teams would be smart to make sure Desroches isn’t too far behind. Desroches does many things well.

Related: 2007 NHL Draft – 5 Forgotten Picks

He is very good with the puck, but is also responsible on the back end and can defend. He is tough to play against and although he is not big he isn’t afraid to be physical. He’s not as dynamic as Poirier, but he does a nice job of running a power play and his ability to move the puck helps him produce.

Charlie DesRoches Saint John Sea Dogs
Charlie DesRoches of the Saint John Sea Dogs has established himself as a viable prospect in the upcoming draft. (Mike Sullivan)

At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Desroches will have to continue to gain strength to be effective at the next level, but he has all the tools to succeed. After Poirier is off the board, teams would be smart to look right back in the direction of Saint John if they are looking for a capable blueliner.

Good Crop in the QMJHL

There are some top QMJHL prospects for the upcoming draft, but there is also a group of players that will be smart choices. This is shaping up to be a draft that produces players from the Q that can help organizations and contribute in the NHL moving forward. As usual, the QMJHL will be well represented on draft day. The league continues to churn out talent that develops into the type of impact assets that general managers love.


Sign up for our regular 'Prospects Newsletter' for all the latest.

  • Tags
  • 2020 NHL Draft
  • Jacob Dion
  • Theo Rochette
  • William Dufour
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 19th 6:05 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Need to Be More Disciplined if They Want to Stay Hot

Jan 19th 5:50 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

9 Blue Jackets’ “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” Fun Facts

Jan 19th 5:40 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Babcock Bombs as Former Leafs Coach Tries to Clarify Marner Drama

Jan 19th 5:25 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Are 3-0, But Still Have Plenty of Work To Do

Jan 19th 5:15 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers News & Rumors: Essential Workers Night, DeAngelo, Trouba & More

Jan 19th 5:05 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Should Add Forward Oliver Okuliar to Prospect Pool

Jan 19th 4:55 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens: 3 Takeaways from Week 1

Jan 19th 4:45 PM
Hockey History

Top 3 Penguins Trades Under Jim Rutherford

Jan 19th 3:45 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues Weekly: Up and Down Start to the 2020-21 Campaign

Jan 19th 3:35 PM
Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes’ Goalie Prospects Are a Mixed Bag

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information