2022 QMJHL Draft Results

Round 1

The 2022 QMJHL Draft has future NHL talent on display. Find out who went to what QMJHL team and our grades for all 18 first round picks.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 6, 2022.

1. Cape Breton Eagles: Tomas Lavoie, D, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   Acadie Bathurst Titan assistant GM Sylvain Couturier took the Cape Breton Eagles General Manager job after working with the Acadie Bathurst Titan for twenty years. He said he felt like a rookie heading into his first QMJHL Draft. He's hoping to sign 2022 NHL Draft prospect Jiri Kulcich who may be a first round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft after getting Jiri Kulcich as a center in the 2022 CHL Import Draft. Getting a blue chip defenseman like Tomas Lavoie to compliment goalie Nicholas Ruccia, Cape Breton's 2020 first round pick would definitely help accelerate this rebuild if you can get that first line defenseman in Tomas Lavoie who will anchor the blue line for Cape Breton right out of the gate.
   
   
   
   Former Cape Breton Eagles center Pierre-Luc Dubois announced Tomas Lavoie as the first pick. Tomas Lavoie already has an NHL body despite being 16-years-old.
   
   
   
   The 6-3 190 lb Tomas Lavoie was considered the top overall player in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. He's got a chance to be a better prospect then Tristan Luneau, the first pick in the 2020 QMJHL Draft, who is my top ranked QMJHL prospect heading into the 2022 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 16, Lavoie has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, power play ability, and penalty killing to succeed in the QMJHL. He can play all three zones. He's going to quarterback the power play while also playing a penalty killer role.
   
   
   
   Tomas Lavoie had 7 goals, 14 assists, and 21 points in 36 games with College Esther-Blondin Phenix. Tomas Lavoie anchored the blue line on that bantam team prior to the 2022 QMJHL Draft. Cape Breton allowed 335 goals last year. Tomas Lavoie will help Cape Breton cut that total down by anchoring their blue line.
   
   
   
2. Victoriaville Tigres: Gabriel D'Aigle, G, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-3 200 lb Gabriel D'Aigle went 20-3 in 23 starts with 10 shutouts, a 2.59 goals against average and a .958 save percentage with Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois. Gabriel D'Aigle was the consensus second best player available and he had just as convincing of a case to go first overall as Tomas Lavoie the first overall pick.
   
   
   
   Style, Post Integration, Glove, Blocker Pad, Reading The Puck By Tracking, Rebound Control, Post Save Recovery, Quickness, Footwork, and Puckhandling. Those are ten different categories that NHL Draft Scouts use to evaluate goalies. Gabriel D'Aigle checks off all ten of these boxes heading into the 2022 QMJHL Draft. If he can maintain his dominant level of play in the juniors, he could be a first round goalie in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Maxim Masse, RW, (2024) A- Grade
   
   
   The 6-1 165 lb Maxim Masse is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. He's a natural attacker on offense.
   
   
   
   Maxim Masse was ranked fourteenth overall among prospects in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. Maxim Masse had 26 goals, 17 assists, and 43 points in 40 games with College Notre Dame Albatros averaging over a point per game. I was debating on giving Maxim Masse anything from an A+ to a B grade and the median grade of those two is an A- grade. Maxim Masse is someone who projects as a first line right winger on the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
   
   
   
   Maxim Masse has the versatility, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, release, hands, stick handling, agility, offensive awareness, hockey IQ, power play ability, penalty killing ability, and one-on-one ability you want in a QMJHL forward. He doesn't have every single trait you want to see from a first round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but he's got two years to improve his defensive awareness and skating.
   
   
   
4. Baie-Comeau Drakkar: Justin Poirer, RW, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-7 183 lb Justin Poirer is the top winger in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. He's versatile enough to play left wing or right wing with right wing being his natural position.
   
   
   
   Justin Poirer is considered the fourth best overall player in this draft. He gives Baie-Comeau Drakkar a winger their team can depend on.
   
   
   
   Justin Poirer had 33 goals, 16 assists, and 49 points in 37 games with the Chateauguay Grenadiers. Justin Poirer was the leading goal scorer in the Q18AAA League for players under the age of 16. Justin Poirer would have gone first overall to Cape Breton had Tomas Lavoie not been eligible for the 2022 QMJHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Justin Poirer has the speed, edge control, versatility, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, and release to succeed in the QMJHL. Justin Poirer is gonna give Baie-Comeau Drakkar a winger they can depend on. He needs to improve his face off ability despite playing well at center at times, but he'll play right wing rather than center. He's a potential 50 goal scorer in the QMJHL.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Rimouski Oceanic: Spencer Gill, D, (2024) A- Grade
   
   
   The 6-2 148 lb Spencer Gill had 7 goals. 23 assists, and 30 points in 30 games for the Telus Cup Champion Moncton Flyers. Despite being the twelfth best player on the board in the 2022 QMJHL Draft, he averaged 1 point per game which is why I gave Rimouski an A- grade here at 5.
   
   
   
   Spencer Gill has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. There were reports that Rimouski was looking for a cornerstone first line defenseman to pair with Luke Coughlin who was the top defenseman in the 2021 QMJHL Draft. By drafting Spencer Gill, Rimouski got the player they wanted at 5.
   
   
   
6. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies: Bill Zonnon, C, (2025) C Grade
   
   
   The 6-1 165 lb Bill Zonnon has the versatility to play left wing, center, or right wing. Bill Zonnon was an alternate captain on his bantam team, so he may have better leadership traits than anyone in the 2022 QMJHL Draft despite being ranked twentieth on most QMJHL Big Boards. He was the third best player on QMJHL draft boards back in November, so scouts had exposure on him early in the season despite him being ranked twentieth on big boards. He's got the speed, explosiveness, skating, and first step you want in a skater.
   
   
   
   Bill Zonnon only had 12 goals, 15 assists, and 27 points last season in 51 games at Northwood School. I think you could argue this is a B grade pick if he was fully committed to the QMJHL since he's got the athleticism of an A grade prospect and the offensive ability of a B grade prospect. The uncertainty about Bill Zonnon going to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in QMJHL versus the Chicago Steel in the USHL is why I gave this pick a C grade. This is a pick I'm torn on because Bill Zonnon may choose the USHL over the QMJHL. Again, I'm giving the team not the player a C grade.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Halifax Mooseheads: Owen Phillips, D, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-11 176 lb Owen Phillips wasn't getting past the Halifax Mooseheads at 7. He's the player General Manager Cam Russell Idenified. Cam Russell got three gems in the 2020 QMJHL Draft with center Marcus Vidicek, right winger Jordan Dumais, and defenseman Jake Furlong with his first three picks that year. Defenseman Dylan MacKinnon, center Mathieu Cataford, and right winger Logan Crosby were first round picks in the 2021 QMJHL Draft with Halifax loading up at defense, center, and right wing for the second year in a row. Owen Phillips is the third consecutive defenseman Halifax has drafted in the top 25 in the last three QMJHL drafts.
   
   
   
   Owen Phillips had 13 goals, 20 assists, and 33 points in 25 games with the Halifax Gulls in 2021-2022. Owen Phillips played for the same bantam team Jake Furlong played for before Furlong took over for Justin Barron as a first line defenseman anchoring the blue line.
   
   
   
   Owen Phillips had 6 goals, 32 assists, and 38 points in 55 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 15Under AAA Team. He was a defenseman who stood out in a big way at the UPMC Mario Lemieux Sports Complex.
   
   
   
   Owen Phillips has the skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, stick handling, shot blocking, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. Cam Russell praised Owen Phillips for his composure with the puck. Halifax now has three defensemen who can play on their first line. Halifax is gonna probably start out on the second line and he could end up pairing with Jake Furlong or taking over for Jake Furlong down the road.
   
   
   
8. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada: Eliot L'Italien, C, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-1 174 lb Eliot L'Italien was considered the fifth best player in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. This was one of two centers in the top 5 still on the board. He's versatile enough to play left wing, center, and right wing.
   
   
   
   Eliot L'Italien had 17 goals, 15 assists, and 32 points in 39 games as an alternate captain on Seminaire St. Francois Blizard. Not only does he have amazing leadership like Bill Zonnon, he was ranked higher than Zonnon. He's the best center at winning face offs in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. He's also a hard hitting center that defends like a defenseman.
   
   
   
   Eliot L'Italien has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. This guy has a nose for the net. He may start out on the wing and transition to center. He's a future first line player though.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Rimouski Oceanic: Quinn Kennedy, C, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   Drummondville traded this pick to the Rimouski Oceanic. The Cape Breton Eagles, Charlottestown Islanders, Chicoutimi Saguneens, Shawinigan Cataractes, and Halifax Mooseheads, also made offers. Rimouski traded a 2024 second round pick, pick 33 in the 2022 QMJHL Draft in the second round, pick 45 in the third round of the 2022 QMJHL Draft, and a 2023 first round pick for pick 9 and 60 in the fourth round.
   
   
   
   The 5-10 139 lb Quinn Kennedy interviewed well and was the seventh best player on the board in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. He's versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. This is an awesome pick by the Rimouski Oceanic here.
   
   
   
   Quinn Kennedy had 26 goals, 19 assists, and 45 points in 25 games with the Halifax Gulls Under 15 Team with Owen Phillips in 2020-2021. Quinn Kennedy had 21 goals, 20 assists, and 41 points in 33 games.
   
   
   
   Quinn Kennedy has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. This guy has a nose for the net. He may start out on the wing and transition to center. He's a future first line player though.
   
   
   
10. Baie-Comeau Drakkar: Julian Lanther, D, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 158 lb Julien Lanther was considered the eighth best player in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. Julien Lanther had 7 goals, 26 assists, and 33 points in 40 games.
    
    
    
    Julien Lanther has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. Julian Lanther is someone who could anchor the blue line on Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Cape Breton Eagles: William Shields, C, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 154 lb William Shields also known as Will Shields is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. William Shields is the eleventh best player in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. He played 50 games of hockey in 2019-2020 before Covid-19 happened.
    
    
    
    William Shields had 62 goals, 52 assists, and 114 points with Bishop Kerney Selects Under 15 AAA Team in Bantam in 79 games. William Shields is the first 100 point player in this class. If Jiri Kulcich goes to the CHL thanks to the CHL Import Draft, then I expect William Shields to be a first line right winger on Cape Breton. Otherwise, William Shields should be a first line center if Jiri Kulcich stays in the Czech Republic.
    
    
    
    William Shields has the skating, passing, playmaking, shooting, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuraacy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want. He creates havoc in the offensive zone and is a nightmare to play against defensively. Cape Breton goes with the best available player with Tomas Lavoie at one only to add a 100 point player at 11 with their second selection at eleven.
    
    
    
12. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Sacha Boisvert, C, (2024) C- Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 150 lb Sacha Boisvert was the best player available ranked as high as third overall among prospects in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. However, he signed a tender agreement with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL after having 51 goals, 43 assists, and 94 points in 56 games. I gave this pick a C- grade since I'm fairly certain Sacha Boisvert is going to the USHL rather than the QMJHL. Sacha Boisvert is an A+ talent if we're just looking at the tape with the C- grade being reflected more towards the team than the player.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Cape Breton Eagles: Thomas Desruisseax, C, (2024) A- Grade
    
    
    Cape Breton gave up 19 the first pick in the second round and a 2023 first round pick to get picks 13 and 27 from the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 146 lb Thomas Desruisseax was a team captain on Pointe-Levy Corsaires Bantam AAA team in 2020-2021. He had 12 goals, 11 assists, and 23 points in 27 games with the Levis Chevaliers in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    His leadership traits make him an ideal second line center to William Shields. If Shields moves to right wing, the potential to move Thomas Desruisseaux up to a first line center role is there if Jiri Kulcich doesn't sign with Cape Breton.
    
    
    
14. Moncton Wildcats: Adam Fortier-Gendron, D, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    Gatineau traded 14, Thomas Hebert, a 2023 first round pick, and a 2023 second round pick to get Shawinigan Cataractes center Olivier Naudeau who was an alternate captain who was likely going to be promoted to team captain to replace Mavrik Bourque had he not been traded. The Moncton Wildcats gave up Eli Baillargeon, the 22nd pick in the 2022 QMJHL Draft in the second round, and the 43rd pick a third round pick in the 2022 QMJHL Draft to move up to 14.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 190 lb Adam Fortier-Gendron complimented Tomas Lavoie on College Esther-Blondin Phenix on their first line. Adam Fortier-Gendron was the eighth best overall player in the 2022 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Adam Fortier-Gendron had 5 goals, 18 assists, and 23 points on College Esther-Blodin Phenix. He actually produced more points offensively on as an offensive defender than Tomas Lavoie.
    
    
    
    Despite being only 16, Fortier-Gendron has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, power play ability, and penalty killing to succeed in the QMJHL. He can play all three zones. He's going to quarterback the power play while also playing a penalty killer role.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Rimouski Oceanic: Anthony Pare, D, (2024) B Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 176 lb Anthony Pare was the twenty second ranked player in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. He was a former team captain prior to joining College Notre Dame in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Anthony Pare only had 4 goals, 9 assists, and 13 points in 2021-2022. Drafting a former captain is the only reason I spared Rimouski with a B grade here.
    
    
    
16. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Xavier Veilleux, D, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    Chicoutimi Sagueneens traded a 2023 first round pick to the Cape Breton Eagles for pick 16. This was a great trade for both teams.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 179 lb Xavier Veilleux had 4 goals, 28 assists, and 32 points in 39 games with Seminaire St. Francois Blizzard. He was the ninth best player in the 2022 QMJHL Draft, but he was ranked above Owen Phillips the seventh overall pick in the 2022 QMJHL Draft on over half of the teams big boards. Being teammates with Eliot L'Italien in Bantam may help with his development.
    
    
    
    Xavier Veilleux has the skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, stick handling, shot blocking, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. Chicoutimi gets a player who can anchor their blue line at 16.
    
    
    
    
    
17. Val-d'Or Foreurs: Nathan Brisson, C, (2024) D Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 159 lb Nathan Brisson was the twenty sixth best player available in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. Nathan Brisson had 14 goals, 18 assists, and 32 points in 39 games with Saint Eustache Vikings. He also had 34 penalty minutes posting more peanlty minutes than points. This is the biggest reason I gave this pick a D grade.
    
    
    
18. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Jeremy Leroux, LW, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 165 lb Jeremy Leroux had 14 goals, 13 assists, and 27 points in 15 games. He was the number one ranked QMJHL player in the Fall rankings for the 2022 QMJHL Draft. He ended the year as the sixteenth best player in the final rankings for the 2022 QMJHL Draft. This was a good pick for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.