As the QMJHL season chugs along, we have already seen a few interesting changes to this year’s NHL draft class. Some players, like Carbonneau and Desnoyers (shown in the clip below), continue to excel, while others have seen their draft stock fall. However, the biggest change has been removing the NCAA rule that prevents players with CHL experience from playing D1, directly affecting multiple players on this list.
At the beginning of this season, I compiled a list of some of the best draft-eligible QMJHL players, and now I am looking at prospects who I feel are underrated as a mid-season check-in.
Zachary Morin, Saint John
Morin is the player that I feel the strongest about on this list; he is also the player that I have had the opportunity to watch the most live. Another product of the NCAA/CHL rule change, Morin came over to Saint John after an undesirable start in the USHL and has immediately impacted the Sea Dogs squad. The most interesting part for the Sea Dogs is that they snagged him with an eighth-round pick in 2024 after the Armada chose not to sign him after selecting him in 2023 – due to his tender offer in the USHL.
The Boston University commit has been nearly a point per game in his time in the Q, posting four goals and 12 assists through 18 games with the Dogs. Over this time, he has garnered the attention of many in the NHL scouting universe, most notably Craig Button, who ranked him 32nd in his most recent rankings. Possessing a big frame and excellent skating abilities, Morin has improved his draft stock greatly with the decision to return to Canada, and I suspect he will continue to do so.
Owen Bresson, Shawinigan
As is the case for multiple other players on this list, Bresson was not on my QMJHL radar due to the former NCAA rules keeping him in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs. However, once the eligibility rules were lifted, the Cape Breton native signed with Shawnigan, who previously drafted him in the ninth round in 2022.
While he hasn’t been previously ranked by any major outlets, Bresson has posted rock-solid numbers over the past two seasons in the BCHL and looked especially sharp in his premiere QMJHL start. It’s a very small sample size in the Q, but the switch to Major Junior could do wonders for his draft stock. Bresson has also shown ample talent so far and looks to be someone to keep an eye on as we approach the draft.
Owen Conrad, Charlottetown
Conrad was not a player I identified in my first QMJHL prospect piece of the year, and I fear I may have overlooked him. While Conrad’s offensive game hasn’t looked as sharp as it did during his rookie campaign, I believe that he has the potential to be a late first—early second-round talent. Two-way defensemen are becoming the new standard, and this Nova Scotia-born ’07 is an excellent example.
Big, strong, and dependable, Conrad is the type of player that all teams want: a responsible and steady puck mover who can control the pace of the game. This skill set has historically translated very well to the NHL level and is of perennial interest to NHL front offices. Conrad also has a rock-solid defensive game, and I think his slowed offensive numbers might have harmed his draft stock early, but I think it bounces back as the season progresses.
Shawn Carrier, Halifax
Carrier is a player whose numbers don’t exactly jump off the page at you (even though he is almost a PPG currently). It’s the other things he does that make him stand out. For lack of a better term, Carrier is a beast. He plays with great speed, intensity, and physicality, which makes him immediately stand out—every night.
While not having the biggest frame, Carrier certainly plays like he does (for example, he had eight hits in a single game this year). He is not currently ranked by any major outlets, but I feel like he has something that all NHL clubs want: energy and intensity that can’t be taught. Look for Carrier to sneak up the draft boards as the season progresses.
Philippe Veilleux, Val-d’Or
The next prospect on my list is Quebec-born 17-year-old forward Philippe Veilleux. Currently, in his second year with the club, Veilleux is on pace to absolutely smash his rookie point totals. He is currently over a point per game on a very poor Val-d’Or squad and has had some very impressive multi-point nights.
Veilleux is undersized but very talented and shifty. He sees the ice very well, and his recent play has no doubt attracted the attention of even more NHL front offices. He is currently projected to be selected in the late second to early third round, but I think he has the talent to exceed that. The big kicker, as it always is, is his size. Regardless, he is currently being underrated, and I think people will begin to take notice soon.
Mateo Nobert, Blainville- Broisbriand
After a less-than-impressive rookie season, Nobert was admittedly not somebody who was on my radar for the draft this year. However, through the first 24 games, he has already eclipsed his previous point ceiling by posting 32 points.
Certainly an offensively talented player, there is reason to believe that Nobert might be a bit of a late-bloomer. Norbert has shown shades of brilliant playmaking ability and should continue to raise his own draft stock as the year progresses. He is currently not ranked by any major outlets, but since he has looked so sharp through the first half, a jump into the rankings seems imminent.
Maddex Marmulak, Acadie Bathurst
Another BCHL expat, Marmulak, is a Cornell University commit and a 2025 NHL Draft hopeful. This Middle Sackville NS native isn’t on many scouting radars right now, but he is certainly on mine since his hat-trick performance against Victoriaville on November 23rd.
Marmulak has a good-sized frame and a heavy shot that he isn’t afraid to use. I think you will see his numbers improve over the year as he gets more comfortable in the league and with his teammates. This one might be a bit of a long shot, but keep an eye out for this kid coming down the stretch as a later-round potential choice.
As we near the halfway point in the QMJHL season, another very important event on the scouting calendar sits just on the horizon: the World Junior Championships. Keep an eye on Inside the Rink as we provide up-to-date and informative WJC content from start to finish.
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