Late August means the dreaded back-to-school. But for many high-end New England hockey commits, it often means a drive up north to Quebec for Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) training and rookie camps.
Every team is a bit different. Some rookie camps have already happened and training camps are underway, while other teams get underway this weekend.
Lots of players went up north for camps last August, the first one after the CHL ruling, which allowed prospects playing in the QMJHL, OHL and WHL to be eligible for NCAA Division 1 hockey.
Just because a player goes to a rookie or training camp doesn't mean they left their prep school, club team or full-season academy. Plenty of players go up because that QMJHL team owns their rights and come back. Some of the players in this story have already done that.
Some, however, will surprisingly make the team and stay. As of Aug. 21, we don't know who that will be yet.
Each player below is listed with the team they were on last season and their date of birth. For those who played out of the region last season, I added their New England connection (usually their hometown) as the third item.
Let's dive in.
Baie-Comeau Drakkar: Training Camp
- Nick Evans (D): Corpus Christi (NAHL) | 3/13/2007 | Malden, Mass.
- Ryan Poirier (D): Sioux City (USHL) | 9/19/2008 | Salem, N.H.
- Matys St-Gelais (F): Baie-Comeau | 2/12/2009 | Seacoast Performance Academy (2023-25)
- Declan Wotton (F): Baie-Comeau | 5/16/2009 | Windsor, Maine
Baie-Comeau camp began on Wednesday. St-Gelais and Wotton are both returners; St-Gelais had two goals and an assist in 23 games with Baie-Comeau last season, while Wotton had four goals and six points in 28 games. The Omaha Lancers own Evans' USHL rights, and the Waterloo BlackHawks own Poirier's.
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada: Rookie Camp
- Angus Proctor (F): Salisbury | 3/17/2008
- Alex Marottolo (F): Canterbury | 4/21/2009
- Zach Gill (D): Salisbury | 5/6/2008
Rookie camp has already been underway for the Armada. One other player expected to suit up for the Armada this season who isn't on the rookie camp roster is former Hingham High School (MIAA) standout defenseman Logan Brennan, who spent last year with the Remparts.
READ MORE: Something big is happening in college hockey recruiting
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles: Rookie Camp
- Easton Anello (D): Williston Northampton | 1/19/2009
- Jack Broderick (F): Kent | 11/10/2007
- Owen Burke (F): Westminster | 4/22/2008
- Owen Frick (F): Cushing | 3/17/2010
- Shaun Ingram (D): Islanders Hockey Club | 7/14/2009
- Cooper Ludwar (F): Winchendon | 8/2/2007
- Andrew Migliore (F): Trinity-Pawling | 4/6/2007
- Sean Millen (F): Avon Old Farms | 2/28/2008
- Brayden Reynolds (F): Trinity-Pawling | 3/18/2008
- Tyler Roccas (D): Salisbury | 8/7/2008
- J.T. Rothstein (F): Taft | 1/19/2008
- CJ Sawyer (F): Atlantic Coast Academy | 6/17/2010
- Nick Ware (D): Belmont Hill | 1/5/2010
Cape Breton has a wide range of locals at Rookie Camp. The '07s are especially intriguing. Broderick, Ludwar and Migliore were highly productive in prep as seniors last season. While Broderick is committed to Cornell, Ludwar and Migliore are both uncommitted. Strong seasons with Cape Breton, if they were to make the team, would help them.
Charlottetown Islanders
- Robert Dekleine (F): Belmont Hill | 3/21/2010
- Vinnie D'Urso (G): Tabor | 3/7/2008
- Nolan Duskocy (F): Charlottetown Islanders | 1/26/2008 | Ellington, Conn.
- Jude Herron (F): Charlottetown Islanders | 4/29/2008 | Fort Kent, Maine
- Cam Holyoke (D): BK Selects | 1/24/2009 | Boston, Mass.
- Aiden MacIsaac (D): Lawrence Academy | 1/11/2007
- Cade Noonan (F): St. Sebastian's | 8/21/2009
- Ryan Staples (F): Charlottetown Islanders | 2/24/2006 | Middletown, R.I.
- CJ Watroba (F): Charlottetown Islanders | 2/2/2007 | West Springfield, Mass.
- Mason Wohlers (D): Bishop Kearney Selects | 5/20/2010
Duskocy and Watroba made the team out of training camp last season, after Herron had played half of 2024-25 with the Islanders. Staples moved from the BCHL's Surrey Eagles to Charlottetown midway through the year. Dekleine, D'Urso, MacIsaac and Noonan are an impressive array of some of the top players in prep.
Chicoutimi Saguenéens: Rookie Camp
- Luca Desjardins (F): Salisbury | 8/29/2009
- Ryan Hecker (D): Avon Old Farms | 6/27/2008
- Lucas Husted-Edwards (F): Kent | 1/25/2007
- Justin Lee (G): Nobles | 6/28/2009
- Jack Mazzella (D): Salisbury | 3/21/2008
- Andrew Mohesky (F): South Kent | 2/9/2008
- Josh Phillips (F): Kimball Union | 4/24/2007
- Matthew Smith Jr. (G): Atlantic Coast Academy | 6/20/2008
- Kris Soja (D): Nobles | 3/11/2008
- Kasen Walsh (D): Nobles | 1/24/2010
Rookie Camp began on Wednesday and runs through Sunday. Clearly, Chicoutimi's decision-makers have watched quite a bit of Nobles and Salisbury. Mohesky is an interesting one. The force of a power forward missed a lot of last season due to injury.
READ MORE: What can be learned from Justin Graf’s path to becoming an NHL Draft pick
Drummondville Voltigeurs: Rookie Camp
- Gavin Callahan (D): Philadelphia (NAHL) | 4/12/2008 | Hull, Mass.
- Jaxson Fleming (G): Catholic Memorial | 7/9/2010
- RJ Grace (D): Winchendon | 8/9/2009
- Lucas Hannay (D): Kimball Union | 10/22/2008
- Jorden Marzi (F/D): Rivers | 3/4/2010
- Colin O'Leary (D): Rivers | 2/13/2009
- Kuba Pavlik (F): HC Pilsen Wolves | 8/7/2010 | Berlin, Vt.
- Ryan Porter (D): Dexter Southfield | 6/4/2010
- Chase Warsofsky (F): Cushing | 6/20/2009
Drummondville Rookie Camp is already underway. Most of these players are rather young. I'd keep an eye on the two '08s in this group: Callahan and Hannay. Both are steady, two-way defensemen, while Hannay has a bit more offense to his game.
Gatineau Olympiques: Prospects Camp
- Cam Kovary (F): Gatineau (QJHL) | 8/2/2008 | Greenwich, Conn.
- Greyson Peel (D): CIHA Voyageurs | 5/26/2010 | Scarborough, Maine
- Drew Short (F): Winchendon | 3/14/2010 | Lunenburg, Mass.
There isn't a huge New England showing at Gatineau Prospects Camp, which begins on Friday.
Halifax Mooseheads: Training Camp
- Will Bent (F): Halifax Mooseheads | 3/12/2008 | Dover, Mass.
- Jamie Calla (F): Governor's Academy | 7/12/2010
- Jake Donatelli (D): St. George's | 1/4/2010
- Jack Fichthorn (G): Sioux City (USHL) | 5/10/2007 | Darien, Conn.
- Sam Fishbone (D): St. Sebastian's | 4/5/2010
- Paulo Gualberto (F): Halifax Mooseheads | 4/9/2009 | Barnstable, Mass.
- Keegan Kazan (F): Brunswick | 11/15/2008
- Carson Mertz (G): Blackfalds (BCHL) | 2/19/2008 | Coventry, R.I.
- Cam Minella (D): Halifax Mooseheads | 8/29/2009 | Darien, Conn.
- Evan Nee (F): St. Mark's | 8/12/2007
- Jackson Smail (F): Winchendon | 5/31/2008
Halifax has become a top destination for New Englanders — look at the list for training camp. As for newbies, Nee and Smail, both prep graduates, should be big-time contributors for Halifax this coming season, while Fichthorn and Mertz were brought in to likely be the tandem in net.
Moncton Wildcats: Rookie Camp
- Preston Abbott (D): New Hampton | 4/5/2009
- Jacob BriseBois (D): Choate | 5/20/2009
- Colton Cleaves (F): Brunswick | 8/31/2009 | Greenwich, Conn.
- Drew Keiver (F): Deerfield | 7/18/2007 | Deerfield
- George Lovell (F): Omaha (USHL) | 8/6/2007 | Hingham, Mass.
- Will Manchuso (F): St. Mark's | 1/9/2008 | Concord, Mass.
- Mason Stonacek (D): Mount St. Charles 15O | 12/26/2010
- Noah Survilas (F): Dexter Southfield | 12/27/2008
Moncton will have plenty of New Englanders on its roster this season, like Jake Boguniecki (Orange, Conn.), Myles Brosnan (Winchester, Mass.), Rian Chudzinski (Needham, Mass.) and Shayne Gould (Princeton, Mass.). They're just not at rookie camp.
Newfoundland Regiment: Rookie Camp
- Ty Hymovitz (F): Thayer | 2/13/2008
- Joey St. Laurent (F): North Jersey Avalanche | 11/4/2010 | Greenland, N.H.
- Colin Walsh (F): Framingham High | 8/18/2010 | Framingham, Mass.
Newfoundland Rookie Camp has been underway. Fun story from camp: Hymovitz, at 6-foot-1, took on 6-foot-6 defenseman Jacob Veilleux and actually held his own, with both players landing some big punches.
Québec Remparts: Rookie and Training Camp
- Michael Barrett (F): Phillips Andover | 5/17/2010
- Egan Beveridge (F): Québec Remparts | 1/11/2007
- Blake Cash (F): Cushing | 5/9/2008
- Carter Meyer (F): USNTDP U17 | 4/6/2009
- Freddy Meyer (D): Québec Remparts | 10/16/2007
The story to watch in Québec this season will be Carter Meyer. Cash and Beveridge also have the potential to be productive middle-six forwards.
READ MORE: Why did players choose the QMJHL? How did expectations match reality?
Rimouski Océanic: Rookie and Training Camp
- Jesse Bernardinelli (G): St. John's Prep | 3/4/2010
- Matthew Dabrowski (F): Danbury (NAHL) | 2/18/2007 | Stratford, Conn.
- Max Donatelli (F): St. George's | 6/15/2007
- Carter Felt (F): Rivers | 8/17/2010
- Phin Howard (D): St. Mark's | 1/30/2008
- Owen Kailher (F): Mount St. Charles | 4/7/2009
- Cole Longfield (F): St. George's | 9/10/2008
- Edouard Lord (G): Phillips Andover | 10/28/2006
- Brendan Martin (D): St. Sebastian's | 2/20/2010
- Brendan Matysczak (F): Seacoast Performance Academy | 7/4/2009
- Nolan Nassar (D): Governor's Academy | 4/18/2008
- Caiden Pellegrino (F): St. Mark's | 2/10/2009
- Tommy Saulnier (G): St. Sebastian's | 2/15/2008
- Cam Schimenti (D): BK Selects | 6/8/2008 | Norwalk, Conn.
- Alex Theodore (F): Phillips Andover | 5/21/2008
An interesting storyline to watch in the QMJHL is the number of teams opening their doors to more and more New Englanders. Rimouski is one of those teams, going hard after Americans this year. According to Emile Clouet, Pellegrino dazzled with an intrasquad scrimmage-winning goal on Wednesday.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies: Training Camp
- Thomas Boisvert (F): Mount St. Charles | 1/14/2010
- Liam Connelly (D): Rivers | 5/28/2009
- Brayden Hekle (F): Shattuck-St. Mary's | 6/8/2010 | Wilton, Conn.
- Tommy Moore (F): Dexter Southfield | 10/20/2009
- Johnny Niemela (F): New Hampton | 7/17/2007
- Tyler Poti (D): Winchendon | 5/20/2010
The big storyline here is Poti. The Quinnipiac commit was taken in the second round of this year's QMJHL Draft. While he is a '10, I'm curious if the Huskies view him and his size (6-foot-3, 187 pounds) as ready for the QMJHL.
Saint John Sea Dogs: Training Camp
- Alex Donovan (F): Saint John Sea Dogs | 4/8/2007 | Darien, Conn.
- Jamie Glance (F): U.S. NTDP U18 | 9/23/2008 | Stratham, N.H.
- Brodie Anderson (D): Cushing | 5/7/2010 | Wayland, Mass.
- Oskar Drabczynski (D): Saint John Sea Dogs | 2/13/2008 | Easton, Conn.
- Will Torres (G): Rivers | 4/21/2010 | Framingham, Mass.
Saint John camp begins on Friday. Donovan and Glance don't just project to be productive players for the Sea Dogs — they should be two of the best forwards in the QMJHL.
Shawinigan Cataractes: Training Camp
- Alex Guo (D): Belmont Hill | 5/5/2010 | Weston, Mass.
- Kamden Jackson (G): Williston Northampton | 3/4/2009
- Grady Rowley (F): Mount St. Charles | 7/21/2009
- Brayden White (F): Williston Northampton | 2/16/2009
It's not a huge shock to see two Williston players here in Jackson and White, with head coach Brandon Borges as a scout for Shawinigan. Jackson should be a top goalie for the Cataractes this season, while I could see White making a legitimate push in camp.
READ MORE: The biggest adjustments and surprises moving to the QMJHLÂ
Sherbrooke Phoenix: Training Camp
- Kurt Beck (D): Dexter Southfield | 4/2/2009
- Elliot Bibeau-Rivard (F): Salisbury | 8/27/2009
- Kaiden Donia (D): Groton | 1/16/2008
- Jack Fitzpatrick (F): Dexter Southfield | 10/22/2027
- Ethan Gingeleskie (F): Avon Old Farms | 6/2/2009
- Andrew Martin (F): Brooks | 8/16/2008
- Noah Mazzola (D): Seacoast Performance Academy | 4/24/2009
- Parker Stockseth (G): Sherbrooke Phoenix | 12/9/2008
Sherbrooke has become more active with New Englanders since the CHL ruling. Its crop of New England defensemen at training camp — Beck, Donia and Mazzola — is especially interesting. All are Division 1 commits and should be impactful every-day defenders if they make the team.
Val-d'Or Foreurs: Rookie Camp
- Alex Strug (F): Deerfield | 5/1/2009
Strug has had a big summer, showing himself as a physical menace at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp and committing to Yale. While I think another year at Deerfield would do him a lot of good, he does have the tenacity to hang with QMJHL players.
Victoriaville Tigres
- None
