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QMJHL Review and Preview
Written by: Ryan Milley on 06/01/2003 
Maritime
Division
Acadie-Bathurst Titan
The Titan are coming off a crushing game 7 loss to the Halifax Mooseheads in the playoffs. Gone are overagers Janis Sprukts, JP Cote, and Olivier Filion.
Returning Core: CHL Goaltender of the year Adam Russo is considering a contract to play in Europe, but if he’s back he may be the best in the league again. Leading goal scorer Jonathan Ferland may return as an overager, as well as rookie sensation Patrice Bergeron, captain and impact defenseman Bruno Gervais, Buffalo Sabres draft pick Michael Tessier, and promising forward Thomas Beauregard. The Titan will also welcome 2002 draft choice Mathieu Roy to the lineup. He was tied for the league scoring lead in Quebec Midget AAA this past season. The Titan are also bringing back the QMJHL’s undisputed fighting champ Jonathan Tremblay.
Draft Picks: They currently own six picks in the top four rounds, their highest being 14th overall in round one. They have the 40th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: After two outstanding seasons in a row the Titan may be looking to rebuild. If Adam Russo and Jonathan Ferland return, then the club will be two of the most sought after players in the league. Some great young talent is already in place for the Titan to be an impact team in 2004-2005.
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
The Eagles are coming off of a tough rebuilding season that saw veterans JP Cote, Stuart MacRae, George Davis and Steve Villeneuve traded to bring in some youth. Gone are overagers Pierre-Luc Emond, Jean Francois Dufort, and Patrick Gilbert.
Returning Core: Team Canada starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, leading scorer Stephen Dixon, power forward Kevin Asselin, as well as defenseman Greg Hoffe. The team will also welcome Marc-Andre Bernier, Alexandre Picard, and Francois-Pierre Guenette from the Halifax Mooseheads. 2002 European pick Michal Barinka has also committed to playing in Cape Breton in 2003-2004, but some remain skeptical.
Draft Picks: The Eagles have 11 picks in the top six rounds of the draft, their highest appears to be the 11th pick, however they have an option to trade a 3rd round pick to Victoriaville to move up to 9th. They have the 7th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: With Marc-Andre Fleury returning for his final Q season the Eagles are looking to load up for a run at the President’s Cup. The team will have a solid group of exciting players and should be a dangerous club next season.
Halifax Mooseheads
The Mooseheads are coming off their most successful season ever. They went all the way to the QMJHL Finals before falling to the Hull Olympiques in seven games. The team is losing many players this season. Gone are overagers Stuart MacRae, Thatcher Bell, and Brandon Benedict. Milan Jurcina and George Davis also will not be back after signing contracts with Boston and Anaheim respectively. Guillame Lavallee has been traded to Rimouski.
Returning Core: Petr Vrana should be a high NHL pick this summer and is one of the most exciting players in the league. Fredrick Cabana will only be 17 but after a great playoff he should be a solid player for the club. Jonathan Boutin will be the starting goaltender, and Steve Villeneuve and J-F Cyr will be impact 20 year olds, however both are linked to rumors sending them to Cape Breton.
Draft Picks: They have two 3rd round picks, two 5th round picks, and two 6th round picks. Their highest is 36th overall. They have the 16th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: Vrana will be the man to watch in Halifax next season. His supporting cast however may be weak. Unless GM Marcel Patenaude can find a couple of sleepers in the draft or as free agents it will be a long season in Halifax for the first time in a while.
Moncton Wildcats
The Wildcats are coming off their most successful season in three years with 37 wins and 89 points. And with most of their core returning are poised to have a dangerous team. Gone are overagers Daniel Hudgin, Sebastien Strozynski, and Yannick Searles.
Returning Core: Steve Bernier may be the early favorite for league scoring champ after a breakout season. James Sanford was the 2nd leading scorer amongst defensemen. Corey Crawford is one of the best goaltenders in the league. Tough guy Thierry Douville is being brought in from Baie-Comeau and Karl Gagne and Nathan Saunders are also fine players who will help make Moncton a team to fear this season.
Draft Picks: Moncton has five picks in the top five rounds, with their highest being 12th overall. They have the 34th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: Moncton will be an early favorite to win the President’s Cup and will be an exciting team to keep an eye on.
P.E.I Rocket
The Q comes to Charlottetown P.E.I in 2003 after some terrible seasons in Montreal both in the standings and at the box office. The team is already doing well in selling season tickets and should do well in a new market. Gone are overagers Brett Lutes, Louis Robitaille, and Ryane Clowe. Jean-Francois Soucy is a question mark after signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Returning Core: Cory Urquhart, Michael Lambert, and Maxim Lapierre return as the teams stars up front. Jeff Macauley, Tyler Noye and possibly Brett MacLellan look to lead a solid but unspectacular defense. In goal Jonathan Cayer will probably be the No. 1 however don’t rule out a trade for a younger goalie. Young tough guy Jimmy Bonneau will also be a big fan favorite on the Island with his outstanding fighting skills.
Draft Picks: The team currently has three picks in the top four rounds and nothing in rounds 5, 6, or 7. Their highest pick is 7th overall. They have the 19th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: It’s not yet sure what management will do what this team in a new market. They may look to win right away but risk losing some fans if they lose early in the playoffs or trade some veterans for young players who will grow with the fan base. Either way it’ll be interesting to see how PEI takes to their team and what direction the team decides to take.
East
Division
Baie-Comeau Drakkar
The Drakkar are coming off an emotional Game 7 loss in the conference finals at the hands of the Halifax Mooseheads. The Drakkar really loaded up last season and are looking at a lengthy rebuilding process. Gone are overagers Jean-Francois David, Charles Linglet, and Olivier Proulx. Thierry Douville, Louis-Philippe Martin and Pascal Pelletier will move on to Moncton, Drummondville and Shawinigan respectively to complete previous trades.
Returning Core: Many question marks surround the team at the point. Players such as Olivier Michaud, Patrick Thoresen, Joel Perrault, and Robin Leblanc may play professionally or may return to the Q for their overage season. Forward Jean-Francois Jacques and defenseman Maxime Belanger are two bright spots. Alexandre Blais, the teams 2nd pick in 2002, will get a good chance to make the team however his size (5’4”) will be working against him.
Draft Picks: They have their 1st and 2nd, then have nothing until the 5th where they have two picks. Their highest pick is 16th overall. They have the 46th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: Not very
good. There is little depth in the organization after coach and GM Richard
Martel made many huge trades to try and get the team to the Memorial Cup.
Baie-Comeau may be the early favorite to pick 1st in the 2004 QMJHL
draft.
Chicoutimi Sagueneens
The Sags had a tough season in 2002-2003. Everyone expected them to have a great team but the Minnesota Wild had other plans and decided to keep Pierre-Marc Bouchard from returning to the Q. Gone from last season are overagers Christian Larrivee, Jean-Philipe Briere, and Alexandre Blackburn.
Returning Core: Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers returns as the team’s starting goaltender. Yvan Busque, Francis Lemieux, Yan Gaudette, and Mathieu Melanson lead a solid forward group. Rosario Ruggeri and Nicolas Marcotte will be the workhorses on a blueline that will need some work. Francis Trudel is also rumored to be heading to Chicoutimi to complete a trade with Lewiston.
Draft Picks: They pick 4th overall in round one and have their own 2nd and 4th round picks. They have the 10th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: With a good draft pick at No. 4 and an addition of a solid overager up front this team could contend for its division championship in 03-04. They’re a team that every other contender will be keeping an eye on.
Lewiston
MAINEiacs
The Sherbrooke Castors are moving south of the border, and for the 1st time in nearly 20 years the Q will have an American franchise, and everyone is expecting this team to have a longer life then the Plattsburgh Pioneers who only lasted 17 games in the 1984-85 season. Gone from the team are overagers Jean-Francois Plourde, Louis Mandeville, and David Chicoine. Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau is a question mark after signing with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks last week and starting goaltender Drew MacIntyre may play for professionally.
Returning Core: The team should return a decent nucleus. Nicolas Corbeil is eligible to pay pro but there is a good chance he will be back with the team. Sebastien Courcelles, outstanding defenseman Richard Stehlik, and 2002 1st overall pick Alex Bourret will be the main reasons for the people of Lewiston to check out this hockey team.
Draft Picks: Lewiston will have six picks in the top six rounds, with their highest being 8th overall. They have the 22nd overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: Because of the moves made this past season to put a winner on the ice in Sherbrooke, you’ll likely see a rebuilding process started next season. There will still be some exciting hockey played in Lewiston, and hopefully the American fans will support their team.
Quebec
Remparts
The Remparts did a lot of work to their team this season in an attempt to send a competitive team to the Memorial Cup. However after losing in round two of the QMJHL playoffs and going 0-3 in their home rink for the Mem Cup I believe their season was a large disappointment. Gone are overagers David Masse, Karl St. Pierre, and Fredric Faucher. Timofei Shishkanov, Alexandre Rouleau, and Aaron Johnson may all play professionally next season. Jean-Michel Bolduc will head to Rimouski to complete a previous trade.
Returning Core: Josh Hennessy will be a bright spot on a weak forward group. Remy Tremblay, Vladimir Kutny, and Jordan Lavallee will be players to also keep an eye on. American Evan Shaw should also return for another season, also the team will have Jean-Michel Filiatrault in goal. Expect 2002 1st round pick Simon Courcelles to join the team next season.
Draft Picks: They have five picks in the top six rounds, with their highest being 13th overall. They have the 37th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: Quebec will be a weak team but may be a surprise if they can find a couple of American players in the draft to report next season. They will not contend but may surprise some people.
Rimouski
Oceanic
Oceanic was by far the weakest team in the Q, maybe even the CHL, during the 2002-2003 season. They traded away many stars for young players and draft picks in an effort to get the No. 1 pick, and they succeeded. Gone are overagers Daniel Petiquay and Jonathan Robert.
Returning Core: The team has announced that they will select Sidney Crosby #1 overall in the QMJHL draft and Michal Sersen #1 in the CHL Import draft. These two players will join a cast of former 1st round picks including Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Dany Roussin, Danick-Jasmin Riel, and Jean-Michel Bolduc. Danny Stewart, Patrick Columbe, and Philipe Lauze will also be players to watch. The team has also acquired 20 year old goaltender Guillame Lavallee from the Halifax Mooseheads.
Draft Picks: They have three picks in the top 17, seven in the top six rounds, including, of course, the No. 1 overall pick. They also have the 1st overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: This will be one dangerous hockey team. They are probably one full year away from being true contenders but they should compete for their division title next year and will be a team nobody will want to face in the playoffs.
West
Division
Drummondville Voltigeurs
The Volts had a tough season in 02-03, finishing last in their conference and 2nd last overall in the league. However the team should have a bright future. Gone are overagers Sebastien Laprise, Evgueni Nourislamov, and Eric Dagenais.
Returning Core: Leading point man Vincent Riendeau and leading goal scorer Kevin Maihlot both return, as does starting goaltender Sylvain Michaud. Louis-Philipe Martin comes over from Baie Comeau. The team has stated they’ll pick highly touted Guillame Latendresse with the 2nd overall pick however they are open to a trade.
Draft Picks: The team has eight picks in the top six rounds, with its highest being No. 2 overall.
2003-2004 Outlook: If the team can find a couple of solid defenseman they could really make some noise next season. They could be a sleeper if some of their young forwards develop properly next year and Sylvain Michaud lives up to the hype he had when he entered the league last season.
Gatineau Olympiques
The Olympiques enter the 2003-2004 season with a championship banner and a new name. The former city of Hull is now amalgamated as Gatineau so the team thought it was proper to change the name from Hull to Gatineau. Gone from the defending league champs are overagers Eric Lafrance, Tyler Reid, and Jonathan Bellemare.
Returning Core: All but the three overagers will likely be back. Top line Maxime Talbot, Jean-Michel Daoust and Mathieu Brunelle will likely all return for another season. Martin Vagner, Dominic D’Amour, and Doug O’Brien lead a solid defense and young forwards Philipe Dupuis and Olivier Labelle provide depth up front. In goal David Tremblay will likely take over as the No. 1 man.
Draft Picks: The team has five picks in the top four rounds, its highest being 10th overall.
2003-2004 Outlook: Gatineau will once again compete for the league championship in 03-04. However it will be tough to replace what the three leaving players brought to the team. They will be a powerhouse next season.
Rouyn-Noranda
Huskies
The Huskies had a disappointing 2002-2003 season. Despite having a solid club, they finished with a .500 record and went out in the 1st round of the playoffs in four straight to the eventual league champs from Hull. Gone are overagers Jonathan Gagnon, Nicolas Pelletier, and Pascal Morency.
Returning Core: Veterans Guilio Scandella and Jonathan Jolette will be leaders on a young team. Alexandre Bolduc, Philipe Roberge, and Brent Aubin will be players to keep an eye on.
Draft Picks: The team has eight picks in the top six rounds, with its highest being 6th overall. They have the 43rd overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: The Huskies will be a young team that will heavily rely on its veterans to produce. The whole team will be relied upon to help shoulder the load because of graduated 20 year old and the league’s 2nd highest scorer Jonathan Gagnon. It will be a long season in Rouyn-Noranda.
Shawinigan Cataractes
The Cataractes were expected to be a top team in 2002-2003, but thanks to some injuries and some veterans not performing as expected, the team had a disappointing start followed by an exciting playoff where they swept the No. 2 seed Victoriaville Tigres. Gone are overagers Michel-Bergevin Robinson, Karl Morin, and Kevin Deslauriers.
Returning Core: Leading scorer Benoit Mondou will be joined up front by the likes of Jimmy Cuddihy, Mathieu Gravel, and Sebastien Gauthier who had a very good rookie season. The thin defense is led by David Leroux and sophmore Justin Vienneau will see a lot of ice time. Young Julien Ellis may be given the No. 1 job between the pipes. Pascal Pelletier will join the team from Baie-Comeau.
Draft Picks: They have six picks in the top four rounds with its highest being 5th overall. And the 13th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: The team will
go as far as its defense and goaltending will take it. Currently the defense
looks thin and the goaltending is unproven. Expect a solid season in the middle
of the league and a team that will fight hard against every opponent.
Val
d’Or Foreurs
The Foreurs had a great regular season finishing 1st in their conference, but they were over matched in round three as they lost to Hull in four straight. Gone are overagers Pierre-Luc Laprise, Benoit Genesse, and Fredric Bedard.
Returning Core: Maxime Daigneault the teams star netminder will return for a fourth season with the Foreurs. Mathieu Dumas, Mathieu Roy, and Didier Bochatay are all eligible overagers on defense. And the forward group will be led by the likes of Shawn Collymore, Jonathan Charette and Olivier Latendresse.
Draft Picks: They have eight picks in the top five rounds, multiple picks in rounds 2, 3, and 5. And their highest pick is 3rd overall. And the 31st overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: The team will be looking to rebuild after a strong season. Expect one or two of the teams potential overagers to be shopped at the draft for younger players. They’ll be in games as long as they keep Daigneult, won’t win a lot of games in 2003-04.
Victoriaville Tigres
The Tigres had a solid regular season followed by a shocking loss in the playoffs to Shawinigan in four straight in round one. Gone are overagers Pierre-Luc Sleigher, Pierre-Luc Daneau, and Robert Snowball.
Returning Core: QMJHL leading defenseman scorer Jesse Lane will be the team’s marque name if he returns for his overage season in the Q. He’s joined on the blueline by Pierre-Olivier Beaulieu, and Mario Scalzo Jr. Starting goaltender Daniel Manzato as well as leading goal scorer Guillame Fournier return to a team needing to get younger.
Draft Picks: The team has its own 1st and 2nd, then nothing until round six where they have two picks. The highest pick is 9th overall. They have the 25th overall CHL Import Draft pick.
2003-2004 Outlook: The Tigres had a rough finish to last season and have a lot of question marks heading into the draft weekend. The team needs to get younger so expect some deals this weekend with that in mind. Tigres fans will be in for a rough ride with a below average squad next season.
The annual QMJHL Midget draft will take place this Saturday, June 7th live via the internet from Val d’Or, Quebec. To follow the draft live go to the Q’s Official Site at www.lhjmq.qc.ca.
The CHL Import Draft will take place June 25th
and 26th. Check www.chl.ca
for information on the import draft as it becomes available.
Copyright 2003 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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