SYDNEY — Lane Hinkley and Drew MacIntyre may have played their respective midget hockey seasons in different provinces, but they do have one thing in common.
The two teenagers will enter the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft this weekend as the top-ranked Cape Breton players.
Hinkley, a Cheticamp product, was ranked in the third-round, No. 37, by QMJHL Central Scouting, while MacIntyre, a Sydney native, is listed in the fourth-round, No. 64 overall.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play the QMJHL,” said Hinkley. “It’s been my main focus since I was little — I always had it in my sights.”
After starting his minor hockey career on the west side of Cape Breton, Hinkley and his family moved to the Moncton area after his father, David, sold his lobster licence and moved to New Brunswick.
The now 16-year-old defenceman played his major bantam hockey with the Moncton Flyers during the 2016-17 season, recording four assists in 27 games. He later moved to Ontario and played two seasons with the Vaughan Kings, a team located just north of Toronto, while attending The Hill Academy, an independent school for student-athletes.
Last season, the six-foot, 205-pound Hinkley suited up for the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, a midget hockey program, recording three goals and eight points in 27 games.
“I was pretty satisfied with my season,” said Hinkley, who considers himself a stay-at-home defenceman. “Everyone wants to do better no matter what, but it was a good season and I enjoyed everything about it.”
Among the players Hinkley played with last season was forward Paul Ludwinski, who was selected No. 5 overall by the Kingston Frontenacs at the recent Ontario Hockey League draft.
Meanwhile, MacIntyre played last season with the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush of the Nova Scotia Eastlink Major Midget Hockey League.
The 16-year-old forward appeared in 34 games with the Rush, recording 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points, along with 34 penalty minutes.
“I had a pretty good season and that reflected on where I am now and where I’m ranked for the QMJHL draft,” said MacIntyre.
“As a rookie, we had a really young team and we didn’t really have any overly easy games, so we had to work hard for our success and I guess it all worked out in the end.”
MacIntyre found his passion for the sport at a young age while watching his older cousin, Kyle Farrell, play various levels of minor hockey and eventually suit up for the then Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
Although disappointed there won’t be an in-person draft, MacIntyre plans to enjoy every minute of the event with his family this weekend.
“It’s a big moment for me and my family getting this far,” said the five-foot-11, 168-pound MacIntyre. “I couldn’t have done it without my coaches over the years and the support I had from everyone.”
Prior to playing with the Rush, MacIntyre suited up for the Joneljim Cougars of the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Hockey League. His Cougars coach was James Sanford, a first-round draft pick by the Victoriaville Tigres at the 2000 QMJHL Entry Draft.
“I saw James at the golf course a couple of days ago and he told me to enjoy it,” said MacIntyre. “He told me he’s been in my position and to take everything I can out of it and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Hinkley and MacIntyre aren’t the only Cape Breton players eligible for this year’s entry draft.
Rush players Reese Allen, Brandon Clarke, Lucas Fraser, Nick Mahar, Whalen Matthews, Preston Pattengale, Van Sawlor, and Trey Sturge are ranked in the 13th-round and up category of the 14-round draft.
Meanwhile, Cape Breton West Islanders players Liam Trenholm, Lewis Taylor and Cody Van de Sande were also given a 13th-round and up ranking.
Sebastian Lever, who has connections to Glace Bay, was ranked between the 9-12th rounds. The goaltender played with the Halifax McDonalds last season.
The first-round of the QMJHL Entry Draft will take place on Friday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Atlantic time. Fans can follow the draft online at www.theqmjhl.ca.
The 14-round entry draft will continue Saturday morning with Rounds 2-14. The draft begins at 10 a.m.
