One year after 12 young hockey players from Newfoundland and Labrador had their name called in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft, it could be a slow day for local products at this year’s draft proceedings June 2 in Shawinigan, Que.
QMJHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for 2018 this week, and there are only two Newfoundlanders ranked in the top five rounds, and both of those players, who are playing outside the province, are listed as fifth-round prospects.
Mark Hillier of Labrador City, who is attending St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ont., this year, is ranked 85th overall. Kyle Lynch of C.B.S. is ranked 90th. He attends Newbridge Academy in Dartmouth, N.S.
Players ranked in the sixth to eighth rounds are Brandon Casey of Grand Falls-Windsor (Newbridge Academy), Corey Parsons of Tri-Pen Osprey and Alex Power of St. John’s (St. Andrew’s).
Players ranked in the ninth to 14th rounds are Kieran Burke of St. John’s (East Coast Blizzard), Skyler Coates of Savage Cove (Western Kings), Alex French of Mount Pearl (St. John’s Maple Leafs), Nathan Kelly of Paradise (East Coast Blizzard) and Lucas Robinson of Rocky Harbour (Western Kings).
