Herd Word

2013 QMJHL DRAFT
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft will be happening this weekend on Saturday in Chicoutimi. Most teams from the Maritimes already made their way to the Quebec city yesterday, including our very own Halifax Mooseheads. Since the Moose won the Memorial Cup they are lined up to draft last in each round but because of previous trades that is not usually the case including the first round pick which is now Gatineau's. Halifax has 12 picks in total.

According to QMJHL.ca this is where your Mooseheads will be picking on Saturday:
2 - 34 (look below)
2 - 38th
4 - 57th (from Cape Breton)
5 - 92nd
7 - 128th
8 - 146th
9 - 164th
10 -182nd
11 - 200th
12 - 218th
13 - 236th
14 - 254th

For a full list click here.

AMERICAN PICKS
The two American picks from the 2012 Q draft that Halifax picked have said they will pass on joining the team next year. Jack Eichel and John Hayden were drafted in last year's draft and were not ready to join the Herd this past season. Eichel told the team that he wanted to return to his country's development program for next season while Hayden said he has committed to Yale University. It would've been nice to see both boys play next season. I think they would've been good additions from what I have seen of course playing in the world juniors is a lot different than playing a full season.

All teams are required to pick two Americans in each year's draft. It will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday. Halifax gets to pick at number 34 now as compensation for forfeiting his rights.

CHARLOTTETOWN
Are we going to see the new jerseys for the Charlottetown Islanders this weekend? I guess we will have to wait and see. The more I look at the logo and other pictures of it, the more the colors are growing on me. It actually does look nice.

DUCHARME
According to Metro Halifax, Head Coach "Dominique Ducharme has no plan of leaving the Halifax Mooseheads anytime soon." This is good news for Moose fans but as real hockey knows it doesn't take just a coach to form a championship team. Coach Ducharme is looking to sign a multi-year deal with the team and told the Metro that "there is no other place that I would coach junior." He is currently in Chicoutimi for the QMJHL draft.

FUCALE
I'm a little late on this news but I have been trying to get the season recap post done and I'm still not. Anyways, Zach Fucale has been invited to Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp later this month. He is one of 8 Quebec League goalies that were invited. The camp will run from June 13-16 in Calgary. Practices are open to the public.