QMJHL Draft: 1st Round Picks
June 9, 2023 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release
On Saturday, General Manager Jim Hulton and his scouting staff will return to the first round of the QMJHL Draft for the first time since 2018 when they used the 4th overall pick to select two-time Emile Bouchard Trophy (Defenseman of the Year) winner Lukas Cormier.
This week when the QMJHL trade period opened, Hulton announced details of a transaction with the Phoenix that finalized the trade for Jakub Brabenec. In return, the Islanders received the 20th overall selection in this years draft.
Since the team's inaugural season, the team has selected six times in the first round.
2013 - 13th Overall - F Daniel Sprong
When former Islanders General Manager Grant Sonier described Daniel Sprong before the 2013 Draft he said "he has a pro shot and could be something special". It didn't take long for Sprong to prove his GM right, scoring 30 goals as a rookie and eventually being selected 46th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
To date, Sprong holds the Islanders record for most career goals with 117.
2013 - 19th Overall - F Alexandre Goulet
In a deal with Val-d'Or, the 19th overall pick was acquired by the Islanders and used to select forward Alexandre Goulet. Alongside Sprong, Goulet provided a young, high-flying offensive flair to the Islanders in the team's first season.
Scoring 72 times in an Islanders uniform, Goulet was an instant fan favourite in Charlottetown.
2014 - 7th Overall - F Mitchell Balmas
Before Balmas won a President Cup, and Memorial Cup with the Titan, he was selected 7th overall by the Islanders.
Balmas netted 20 goals in his sophomore season with the Islanders and was instrumental in the team's first-round series win against the Oceanic. Balmas was eventually traded to the Gatineau Olympiques as part of the Alexandre Dostie during the team's 2016-17 President Cup run.
2015 - 15th Overall - F Shawn Boudrias
Fresh off the team's first second-round appearance, the Islanders selected Shawn Boudrias at 15th overall.
Described as a power forward, Boudrias would spend much of his time with the Islanders as a bottom-six forward developing his defensive game before blossoming into a top power forward in the league following a trade to the Gatineau Olympiques during the 2016-2017 season.
Boudrias was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 2018 NHL Draft after a successful year and a half with the Olympiques.
2016 - 18th Overall - D Marc-Olivier Alain
For the first time in the team's existence, Grant Sonier would not be behind the helm at the draft. That distinction belonged to Jim Hulton; the team's head coach, fresh off of his rookie season in the Q, was given the general manager title after Sonier's contract was not renewed at the end of the 2015-2016 season.
To add to the different feeling, the draft would be held in Charlottetown at the Eastlink Centre, gathering the entire league in the birthplace of Confederation.
The Islanders went off the board and selected defender Marc-Olivier Alain out of Quebec City. Alain wouldn't remain in the Islanders system for a full season, being part of the package sent to the Gatineau Olympiques in exchange for Nicolas Meloche and Mark Grametbauer during the Christmas trading period.
2018 - 4th Overall - D Lukas Cormier
The Charlottetown Islanders created a double surprise with the fourth pick since many expected them to trade their pick. Instead, they showed up at the podium and claimed the first player out of the Maritimes, defenceman Lukas Cormier of the Moncton Flyers.
Cormier dominated the franchise record books during his four seasons holding the record for career points and goals by a defenseman.
In 2022-23, Cormier suite up for the Vegas Golden Knight's AHL affiliate Henderson Silver Knights.
The 2023 QMJHL Draft kicks off on Saturday, June 10th at 11:00 am. Follow along on our social media pages for exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from June 9, 2023
- Draft Day Memories - Adam Fortier-Gendron - Moncton Wildcats
- QMJHL Announces Addition of New Sanctions for Fighting - QMJHL
- 1 Day to #1 - Ranking the Prospects - Moncton Wildcats
- 2023 QMJHL Draft: Under the Microscope: Caleb Desnoyers - Moncton Wildcats
- Father's Day Flex Packs Now on Sale - Charlottetown Islanders
- QMJHL Draft: 1st Round Picks - Charlottetown Islanders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
