25 local ’10 forwards to watch for 2026 QMJHL Draft

The QMJHL Draft begins this Friday with the first round. The rest of the draft will be held all day Saturday.

It's a big draft for New Englanders, as the QMJHL has regional rights to Quebec, Atlantic Canada and New England. And since the CHL ruling in November 2024, which allowed college hockey prospects to play in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL), locals have turned to the QMJHL as a legitimate option.

Cam Minella (Darien, Conn.), Paulo Gualberto Jr. (Barnstable, Mass.) and Declan Wotton (Windsor, Maine) were all first-year eligible players selected in last year's draft who spent this past season with a QMJHL team.

The '10s are the main focus of this year's draft since it's their first time being eligible to get picked, but '09s, '08s and '07s can still be snagged in the draft.

We will have stories on '10 forwards, '10 defensemen/goalies, '07-'09 forwards and '07-'09 defensemen throughout the week.

But I wanted to add a twist to these. I'm making myself a QMJHL general manager (hypothetically, of course).

I've been made the general manager of the QMJHL's first team in New England since the CHL ruling. The best part: I get to name the team. We're the New England Hockey Journal Minutemen, based in Boston. Maybe, at some point, I'll replace "New England Hockey Journal" with "Boston", but I'm keeping it as is for now: the New England Hockey Journal Minutemen.

I also have to put together draft rankings for this team.

Here's the first part — which '10 forwards would be on my draft list?

Let's dive in.

1. Thomas Boisvert

Mount St. Charles, 1/14/2010, F, left shot, 5-10/152
Hometown: Trois-Rivières, Quebec
USHL: Round 14, Green Bay Gamblers

No question here. Boisvert is a potential No. 1 pick in this draft, especially after QMJHL's Central Scouting Ranking had him at No. 1. Even USHL teams seemed to realize that, as he didn't go until the 14th round. The Quebec native had 55 goals and 134 points in 62 games for Mount's 15O team this past season. His skating, shot and vision make him an immediate threat in the Q and someone who will likely be producing from the jump.

2. Zaac Charbonneau

Mount St. Charles, 1/18/2010, F, left shot, 6-1/185
Hometown: Gatineau, Quebec
USHL: Muskegon Lumberjacks tender 

Charbonneau was also a favorite to go high in the Q Draft, but was tendered by Muskegon in December. Will that stop him from being picked? Probably not, given that Charbonneau is from Quebec and I'm sure QMJHL teams will be chomping at the bit to convince him to come up. He had 51 goals and 102 points in 50 games for Mount's 15O team this winter. If a Q team is taking him, they're most likely hoping things don't go well for Charbonneau with Muskegon in Year 1, so they can convince him to come up in 2026-27.

3. Sam Lee

Belmont Hill, 9/29/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/161
Hometown: Woburn, Mass.
USHL: Made NTDP's U17 team

Lee made the U.S. National Team Development Program's U17 squad for next season, so expect him there. But with rumors surrounding players leaving the NTDP, QMJHL squads will likely be open to drafting NTDP players even earlier than last year. Last year, after Carter Meyer (Winchester, Mass.) went in the first round, Sam Pandolfo (Winchester, Mass.) went in the fourth round, Finn Sears (Medford, Mass.) went in the sixth and Jake Boguniecki (Orange, Conn.) went in the ninth. Lee's game of skill and high-end offensive abilities would fit like a glove in the Q. He's high on my list for that reason.

4. Jack Queally

St. Sebastian's, 7/27/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/181
Hometown: Milton, Mass.
USHL: Made NTDP's U17 team 

A lot of the same things I said for Lee apply to Queally — QMJHL teams will hope that Queally would want out after Year 1 at the NTDP. Queally's two-way style would fit nicely in the Q, but I actually think his game is optimized in the USHL. That still wouldn't stop me from drafting him somewhere. After putting up 16 goals and 37 points with St. Sebastian's this winter, I know I could trust Queally in all situations, anywhere in my lineup.

5. Jameson Needham

St. Sebastian's, 1/6/2010, F, right shot, 5-11/150
Hometown: Woburn, Mass.
USHL: Round 4, Waterloo 

Needham was drafted high in the USHL Draft, so Waterloo clearly really likes him. But I like him a lot, too, and would be inclined to take him somewhere in Round 3 or 4 of the Q Draft. His frame and skating make him a play-driving center, and he has an underrated scoring touch. The tools are there for him to be an effective QMJHL player when his time at St. Sebastian's is up.

6. Blake Wilichoski

Milton Academy, 4/18/2010, F, right shot, 5-11/161
Hometown: Danvers, Mass.
USHL: Cedar Rapids RoughRiders tender 

Wilichoski was tendered by Cedar Rapids, so, barring something unforeseen, he should be there for at least two years. Still, Wilichoski's puck poise and ability to get to high-danger areas should translate to higher levels. He's always looked phenomenal against his own age group, so the next step is doing it consistently in juniors. His being fully healthy next season should help with that. The biggest thing for QMJHL teams, however, is what are the chances he ever ends up going to the Q?

7. Carter Felt

Rivers, 8/7/2010, F, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Natick, Mass.
USHL: Round 4, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 

Felt's hard-nosed, pain-in-the-butt style probably lends him to being more of a USHL-type player, and Cedar Rapids clearly identified that when they picked him in the fourth round. The thing is, I would also really want Felt on my team. He potted 20 goals and 34 points as a freshman on a younger Rivers team this winter. His toughness will allow him to succeed against older talent. It will also help him to continue to produce in juniors.

8. Cam Daigle

St. George's, 2/5/2010, F, right shot, 5-7/155
Hometown: East Greenwich, R.I.
USHL: Not drafted 

Daigle is a steal in this draft, given that he wasn't picked in the USHL Draft. If I could get him somewhere in Rounds 5-7, I'd be ecstatic. He broke out for 13 goals and 33 points in 25 games for St. George's this winter. While he's undersized, his hands and routes he takes into and around the offensive zone allow him to get scoring chances — even against much bigger defenders. That should translate.

9. Robert DeKleine

Belmont Hill, 3/21/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/159
Hometown: Westboro, Mass.
USHL: Round 7, Sioux City Musketeers 

Among United States QMJHL prospects on the QMJHL's Central Scouting Rankings, Dekleine is an "A" prospect. He's got great speed, a high compete and a great shot. He put up nine goals and 20 points in 31 games for Belmont Hill this past season. Given his high rating, there's a good chance he could go in the top four rounds. If he fell below that, he's got a whole lot of value.

10. CJ Sawyer

Atlantic Coast Academy, 6/17/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Pelham, N.H.
USHL: Round 6, Youngstown 

Sawyer was also given an "A" rating. Youngstown clearly liked him, picking him in the sixth round. His high-end skill and poise with the puck, particularly his ability to slow the game down, make him an intriguing left wing to select. Like most '10s, Sawyer has more development to undergo, pushing his ceiling even higher.

11. Joey St. Laurent

North Jersey Avalanche, 11/4/2010, F, right shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: Greenland, N.H.
USHL: Round 15, Sioux City Musketeers 

I was stunned that St. Laurent wasn't picked until the 15th round in the USHL Draft. He creates offense with his speed and skill, and has no problem working hard to skate back to defend. Given that he was picked so late in the USHL Draft, there's quite a bit of value picking St. Laurent in the middle rounds of the Q Draft.

12. Jamie Calla

Governor's Academy, 7/12/2010, F, right shot, 5-10/150
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass.
USHL: Round 15, Sioux Falls Stampede

With Calla, it's all about skill. He has phenomenal hands and put up 11 goals and 18 points in 28 games for Governor's Academy this past winter. To me, Calla is a good middle-round pick. While he's not the most physically dominating player and he needs some more seasoning in prep, his skill should fit well in the QMJHL at some point.

13. Colin Walsh

Framingham High, 8/18/2010, F, left shot, 6-1/181
Hometown: Framingham, Mass.
USHL: Round 4, Chicago Steel 

Walsh was taken high in the USHL Draft, and rightfully so. He was dominant with the Neponset Valley River Rats 15 team and Framingham High School in the MIAA this winter. His ability to find soft spots for scoring chances in the offensive zone and his vision make him such a threat. His poise is fantastic. Because he was taken so high in the USHL Draft, picking him in the Q Draft is a bit of a risk, but it's a chance I'd be fine taking.

14. Michael Barrett

Phillips Andover, 5/17/2010, F, left shot, 6-1/185
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass.
USHL: Round 10, Madison Capitols 

Barrett has a higher ceiling than most in this story. He has the frame and physicality to be a power forward. He also enjoyed a productive sophomore season with Andover, scoring 10 goals and posting 23 points in 30 games. As he finds a way to marry the physicality with the production, he could be a force. That should make him a productive player in the QMJHL someday. The 10th round also isn't early for the USHL, so if I picked him earlier in the Q Draft, I'd feel confident.

15. Jackson Luedke

Mid Fairfield 15O, 7/2/2010, F, left shot, 6-0/165
Hometown: Ridgefield, Conn.
USHL: Not drafted 

Luedke had another strong season for Mid Fairfield. He has the frame, willingness and skating to be a power forward at higher levels. He had a strong showing at USA Hockey's Select 15 Camp last summer with two goals and four points in four games. Because he went undrafted in the USHL Draft, he could be an intriguing pick for a QMJHL team looking to capitalize and bet on his future.

16. Owen Frick

Cushing, 3/7/2010, F, right shot, 5-9/170
Hometown: Holden, Mass.
USHL: Round 4, Omaha Lancers

Frick was the first local taken off the board in the USHL Draft. While I wouldn't take him before the fourth round in the QMJHL Draft, I love his game (though it's probably better suited for the USHL). He's a pest, a force and a budding power forward. He has a high compete and a heavy shot from in tight. He had 11 points in 33 games for Cushing this winter in a depth role, but should be a top producer for Masters Academy this coming winter.

17. Drew Short

Winchendon, 3/14/2010, F, left shot, 5-10/175
Hometown: Lunenburg, Mass.
USHL: Not drafted 

Short is a great value pick since he wasn't taken in the USHL Draft. He proved himself as a great play-driving pivot for Winchendon this winter, scoring eight goals and putting up 26 points in 35 games. He has legitimate offensive upside and will be at Belmont Hill this coming season.

18. Brayden Hekle

Shattuck-St. Mary’s 15O, 6/8/2010, F, right shot, 6-0/161
Hometown: Wilton, Conn.
USHL: Not drafted 

Hekle was a highly productive forward for Mid Fairfield's 14U team. Upon the move to Shattuck-St. Mary's for his 15O season, he put up 15 goals and 41 points in 52 games. He has fantastic vision, good size and nice offensive abilities. Because he wasn't selected in the USHL Draft, he could be an intriguing late-round pick for a QMJHL team.

19. T.J. Petropoulous

Milton Academy, 7/16/2010, F, right shot, 5-7/161
Hometown: Brockton, Mass.
USHL: Round 11, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Petropoulous is a blast to watch. He was a force for the East Coast Militia in the fall, and followed it up with seven points in 29 games for Milton Academy in the winter. He has a high compete and is unafraid to get to high-danger areas when he has the puck. Like most '10s, he needs more seasoning in prep. But as his game develops, he could be a good value pick for a Q team.

20. Austin Wu

Dexter Southfield, 1/28/2010, F, left shot, 5-10/175
Hometown: Dedham, Mass.
USHL: Round 4, Tri-City Storm 

In his first season with Dexter Southfield, Wu had eight goals and 14 points in 30 games. He plays with a lot of speed, especially north-south, and shows flashes of great skill. He will likely be in a much bigger role for Dexter next winter, so those numbers should go up quite a bit. The biggest reason why he's relatively low on my list is how high he was drafted by Tri-City. It might be worth taking a flier on him in a later round in the QMJHL Draft.

21. Owen Lundin

Lawrence Academy, 2/26/2010, F, right shot, 5-11/165
Hometown: Bolton, Mass.
USHL: Round 8, Omaha Lancers 

Lundin is a fascinating prospect. There are times he's dominant; other times, that isn't the case. QMJHL's Central Scouting Rankings have him as a "B" prospect, so he will likely be picked somewhere in Rounds 3-7. He had five points in 27 games for Lawrence Academy this winter, but his production should go up with Masters Academy next winter. He's a solid skater who can drive play and get to high-danger areas with the puck. The biggest thing for him is consistency.

22. Kai Scranton

Mid Fairfield 15O, 5/3/2010, F, left shot, 5-9/137
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
USHL: Not drafted 

Scranton's best asset is his speed. The West Hartford, Conn., native can push the pace and create offense flying down the boards. He wasn't picked in the USHL Draft, so it might be worth a late-round flier for a Q team to take him, so if he continues to progress and pop in his 16U season, that Q team will have the inside track.

23. Ethan Machado

Cushing, 9/7/2010, F, right shot, 5-8/165
Hometown: Wayland, Mass.
USHL: Round 11, Dubuque Fighting Saints 

Machado is at an interesting point in his young career. After being a high-end, top-producing '10 with the Minuteman Flames as a 13U and 14U, he was in a lower role with Cushing this winter and put up six points in 33 games. And, despite a strong festival, according to Jason Cooke, Machado didn't make USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp. How the high-IQ winger responds to this adversity will dictate what path he takes next. He will be at Masters Academy next season.

24. Landon Roe

Belmont Hill, 1/17/2010, F, right shot, 5-9/161
Hometown: Belmont, Mass.
USHL: Not Drafted 

Roe had a nice fall with the Minuteman Flames and played quite a bit for Belmont Hill in the winter, notching two goals and 11 points in 28 games. He's shifty and can create offense with good players. He should continue to develop as he plays more in prep.

QMJHL DRAFT: 20 local ’10 defenders to watch | 25 local '07-09 forwards to watch

25. Jake Guerriero

Archbishop Williams High School, 1/7/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/160
Hometown: Braintree, Mass.
USHL: Not drafted 

Guerriero had a strong USA Hockey 15O Nationals, scoring three goals and posting five points in three games. That came after a strong season for Archbishop Williams in the MIAA. He could be a nice, late-round value snag for a QMJHL team.