The future stars of the QMJHL will converge on the City of Moncton and the Avenir Centre in June 2024 for its annual Entry Draft.
Its been 15 years since the Moncton Wildcats organization and the City of Moncton hosted the draft.
The Avenir Centre has an impressive resume when it comes to hosting high profile prestigious events. The state of the art facility will also play host to the CHL’s NHL Top Prospects Game on January 24, 2024.
The Moncton Wildcats had two first round picks back in 2009. They chose skilled forward Longueuil, Quebec product Raphael Bussieres with 5th overall pick.
Bussieres’ time in Moncton was very short lived after being traded to Baie-Comeau for another highly skilled two-way forward in Gabriel Bourque. Bourque went on to become playoff MVP in their memorable President Cup victory and run to the Memorial Cup in 2010.
With the 16th overall pick that year the Cats selected Dillon Donnelly. Donnelly’s time was also short lived in the Hub City, he only played 26 games that season before being traded to the Montreal Juniors for defenceman Alex Wall.
The QMJHL Entry Draft is all about building towards the future. Asset management and player development is always at the forefront of building a champion.
The City of Moncton and it’s downtown gem continues to be a phenomenal destination for major events.
Saying the QMJHL Entry Draft is unique would be an epic understatement. The Q is the only league that boasts an in person Entry Draft, which undoubtably showcases the future stars of the league and the game of hockey like no other.
Hosting the draft will create a tremendous economic spin off for the Hub City and especially it’s downtown core.
It’s no secret that the Moncton Wildcats organization are interested in making a strong push to host the 2025 Memorial Cup given the amenities the Avenir Centre has to offer and the product on the ice.
Wildcats General Manager of Hockey Operations Ritchie Thibeau and his entire staff are building something special for a potential two year run at championship glory. The 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft will be another pivotal stage within the franchise’s championship blueprint.
The future stars of the QMJHL are coming to Moncton in 2024.
FDS Sports Blog 