Now that the NHL entry draft is over, teams are now turning their attention to development camps and seeing which prospects they want to bring into training camp later in the summer. Only two current Mooseheads were drafted last week but a couple more received invitations. Check out the list below to see who will participate in development camps this week.
Alexis Gravel - Chicago (2018) - invited to Seattle Kraken development camp July 11-13 Raphael Lavoie - Edmonton (2019) - Edmonton Oilers development camp July 11-15 Mathis Rousseau - undrafted - invited to Columbus Blue Jackets development camp July 11-13 Justin Barron - Colorado (2020) - invited to Montreal Canadiens development camp July 10-13 Elliot Desnoyers - Philadelphia (2020) - Philadelphia Flyers development camp July 11-15 Bobby Orr - Carolina (2021) - Carolina Hurricanes development camp July 10-14 Xavier Parent - undrafted - invited to New Jersey Devils development camp July Cameron Whynot - Calgary (2021) - Calgary Flames development camp July 12-14 Zachary L'Heureux - Nashville (2021) - Nashville Predators development camp July 11-15 Jordan Dumais - Columbus (2022) - Columbus Blue Jackets development camp July 11-13 Evan Boucher - undrafted - invited to Calgary Flames development camp July 12-14
As of the writing of this post, San Jose has not released their camp roster or dates but I expect Jake Furlong will be in California this week.
Good luck to all the players participating in camps this week. If any of our guys (current or former) make rookie or main camps in September, I'll let you know.
Here are some notes from the NHL entry draft that was held in-person in Montreal...
For the first time in about 40 years, the host of the draft also had the first overall pick. The Montreal Canadiens took Slovakian left winger Juraj Slafkovsky at #1 and quite a few fans in the Bell Centre were not happy about it.
In a turn of events, Shane Wright - who was the top ranked prospect all season - fell to the fourth pick where the Seattle Kraken took him.
The Anaheim Ducks took three QMJHL players in this year's draft, including two from the Gatineau Olympiques.
Halifax Mooseheads forward Jordan Dumais, who led the team in scoring with 109 points, was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets late in the 3rd round, 96th overall.
Defenceman Jake Furlong was selected 140th overall by the San Jose Sharks. The other two ranked Herd players, 3rd year forward Markus Vidicek and new import prospect David Moravec did not get drafted.
No word on where the 2023 entry draft will be located.
The 2022 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft was held on Monday and Tuesday this week and our Halifax Mooseheads added 15 new prospects over the two days. Just like the last couple of years, the draft was held virtually once again.
Owen Phillips Photo - Herd website
Halifax went locally with a number of their selections this year, including Upper Tantallon native Owen Phillips who the Herd drafted with the 7th overall pick. The 16-year-old d-man played for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program where he totalled 48 points in 84 games. "This is an exciting day for us. He was the player we were targeting and we're ecstatic that he will be suiting up for the Mooseheads. He's the real deal," Russell said.
Cam Russell and the brass made a trade on Tuesday afternoon as well, moving forward Vincent Gauthier to the Shawinigan Cataractes for their eighth rounder and Cape Breton's third round selection in 2023. Good luck Vincent in Shawinigan.
Also on Tuesday was the US draft where Halifax used its two selections on centres James Marshall and Will Doherty. The team has had luck the last decade in getting their American born players to report to camp and do well once they make the team.
Congrats to all the players who were drafted over the last few days and welcome to Moose Country to the guys selected by Halifax. Full list of QMJHL draftees can be found here.
HOCKEY CANADA SUMMER CAMPS Three Halifax Mooseheads players will be in Calgary later this month for summer camps put on by Hockey Canada. After participating in the camp last year, 19-year-old Zachary L'Heureux was invited to the National Junior Team camp while new sophomores Mathieu Cataford and Dylan MacKinnon will be among the 44 players set to participate in the National Men's Summer U-18 Team camp.
The U-18 players 'will compete for an opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer, Alta. The selection camp, which takes place July 20-23, will include a variety of on- and off-ice sessions. Following the selection of the final roster on July 24, Team Canada will play a pair of games against Red and White teams from Canada's National Junior Team summer camp.' MacKinnon had two points in an injury filled season that saw him play only 52 games in his rookie season. Cataford, meanwhile, led the QMJHL's 16-year-olds with 46 points in 62 games and was nominated for rookie of the year.
44 players will also be on the ice for the Junior Team camp which is set for July 23-27. "This is an exciting first step as we begin preparations for the upcoming season and the opportunity to compete at the 2023 World Juniors on home ice in Halifax and Moncton this December," Alan Millar added. " We are excited about this group of players, and we look forward to returning to the ice for a highly-competitive camp to kick off a new season."
DUMAIS
Second year forward Jordan Dumais was once again rewarded for his discipline during the Canadian Hockey League awards that were held on June 28 in Saint John, NB. Dumais was one of the three nominations for the CHL Sportsman of the Year and named the 2021-22 recipient. Other nominees were Logan Stankoven of the Kamloops Blazers and Windsor Spitfires' Wyatt Johnston. The 18-year-old picked up only six penalty minutes during the regular season leading to him winning the QMJHL Sportsman of the Year award.
Big congrats to Jordan on winning the award.
FINAL RANKINGS
The final rankings were announced awhile ago but with the 2022 NHL Entry Draft coming up in a few days, I thought I would remind you where a few of our Herd players were ranked at the end of the season. Despite recording 109 points in 68 games, Jordan Dumais did not move up in the rankings and is still anticipated to go in the third round.
Rankings amongst North American skaters Jake Furlong #68
Jordan Dumais #73 Markus Vidicek #116
You can catch the first round on Sportsnet at 8:00 p.m. AT on Thursday night, with rounds 2-7 happening on Friday afternoon.
MEMORIAL CUP
After many delays, the 2022 Memorial Cup tournament was played in late June with the host Saint John Sea Dogs winning the final game and lifting the trophy on home ice. The Sea Dogs had a long break before playing in the Memorial Cup after getting ousted by the Rimouski Oceanic in Round 1 of the QMJHL playoffs. Saint John defeated the OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs 6-3 on June 29 to win their second national championship in franchise history.
Final standings
Saint John Sea Dogs (hosts) Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL champs) Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL champs)
Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL champs)
CHL IMPORT DRAFT
Our Mooseheads used the 33rd overall pick in Friday's CHL Import Draft to select defenceman David Moravec of Czechia. The 2003-born Moravec is 6-feet-tall, weighs 190 points and is the 44th ranked European skater for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. He recently represented his country at the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship and has also played internationally at the U16, U17 and U18 levels. Moravec had four assists in 40 games in the 2021-22 season.
Welcome to Moose Country David!
Cam Russell didn't use his second pick in the draft as forward Attilio Biasca is expected to be back on the team in 2022-23. The team also did not make any trades over the weekend when the summer trading period opened up on Saturday.
Photos - Elite Prospects, Herd website, CBC website, The Hockey Writers
A couple of former Halifax Mooseheads players became champions late last month.
In the American Hockey League, the Chicago Wolves won the Calder Cup on June 25. Chicago's roster boasts a Mooseheads alum in defenceman Cavan Fitzgerald. The 25-year-old had a goal and 6 points in 17 games and will now have his name engraved on the trophy as a champion forever. The Wolves went 14-4 during the playoffs after leading the AHL in the regular season.
Congrats to Cavan Fitzgerald and the Chicago Wolves on winning the 2022 Calder Cup!
Forward Nathan MacKinnon scored in Game 6 of the finals to help his Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup on June 26. MacKinnon's goal tied the game up early in to the second period as the Avalanche won the series clinching match 2-1. Colorado had a really good post-season after another strong regular season, losing only four games in the playoffs.
The Avs' route to the Finals started with a 4-0 series victory over the Nashville Predators, than they had a date with the St. Louis Blues a series which they won 4-2. Colorado swept their Western Conference final series against the Edmonton Oilers to meet up with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the ultimate trophy. The club finished the regular season with a 56-19-7 record, their best season in franchise history. Nathan finished the playoffs with 13 goals and 24 points in 20 games played.
A big congrats to Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche on winning the 2022 Stanley Cup!
Photos - Calder Cup on Twitter & The Hockey Writers
For the first time since 2013, our Halifax Mooseheads will open the season on Scotiabank Centre ice when they welcome the Charlottetown Islanders on September 23. The two teams will battle each other again the next night in Charlottetown. Both matches have 7 p.m. start times.
Some highlights from the schedule:
The first Quebec road trip will be at the end of the following month, with the Mooseheads visiting Blainville-Boisbriand, Val-d'Or and Rouyn-Noranda from October 26-29.
With the World Juniors being held in Halifax, the team will not be able to play at home meaning that the normal before New Year's Battle of Nova Scotia series won't happen but the team could decide to move it to another date.
The longest home streak is 5 games between January 8-19 while the longest road trip also happens to be 5 games from November 25 to December 3.
Halifax will once again have a Family Day matinee on home ice welcoming division rivals the Moncton Wildcats at 2 p.m.
The Herd will finish the regular season with a three game home-stand and wrap it up on March 25 against the Islanders. Puck is scheduled to drop at 4 p.m.
Events will be announced at a later date, let's hope that we can have the full slate of normal themed games this season.
STANLEY CUP FINALS The NHL Stanley Cup final series will begin on Wednesday and it will include a former Halifax Mooseheads player. Nova Scotia native Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche will be looking for the franchise's third Stanley Cup after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers last week in the conference finals. This will be first trip to the Stanley Cup final for MacKinnon in his career. The Herd alum scored a pivotal goal and registered seven shots on goal in the series clinching game which ended with a 6-5 score in overtime. Nathan has contributed 11 goals and 7 assists for 18 points in Colorado's 14 postseason games that has seen the team post an incredible 12-2 record in series wins over Nashville, St. Louis and Edmonton. The Avalanche had to wait a few days to find out who their opponent would be but now know and will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning for the trophy. Tampa is looking for their third straight championship.
TICKETS
Our Halifax Mooseheads announced the prices and benefits for the 2022-23 season tickets the other day. One of the biggest benefits is the first right to not keep their seat for the 2023 World Juniors as long as you get your packages before July 15. Full season ticket packages begin at $225 for a youth ticket. Also available is the normal 15-game pack plus a family flex 20 package.
Prices for a season membership are below: Red Green
Fans can get on the waiting list by going to the tickets page here or call 492-3470 as full packages don't go on sale until June 22.
Q AWARDS Mooseheads forward Jordan Dumais was named the QMJHL's most sportsmanlike player of 2022 a couple weeks ago. To be considered for the Frank J. Selke trophy, a player must prove his efficiency on the ice, demonstrate the utmost respect for opponents and officials as well as avoid the penalty box. One of the top used forwards on the Mooseheads, the Ile-Bizard, QC native spent no more than six minutes in the penalty box all season. Check out Dumais being presented the award here. Awesome job Jordan!
The league has been handing out the Golden Puck awards and recently announced the all-star rookie team for the 2021-22 season with Herd forward Mathieu Cataford cracking the list. Cataford led all 16-year-olds players in points with 46 after Halifax selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 Q entry draft. Congrats to Mathieu on being given the honour.
PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
Our Halifax Mooseheads released their pre-season schedule for the upcoming season. The Herd will play a total of six games starting on August 23 with a trip to Sydney against the Cape Breton Eagles. Halifax's three home pre-season matches will be played at the RBC Centre in Dartmouth. Tickets will go on sale later in the summer.
Full schedule below August 23 Halifax at Cape Breton 7pm Glace Bay Miners Forum August 24 Cape Breton at Halifax 7pm RBC Centre August 26 Saint John at Halifax 7pm RBC Centre September 9 Halifax at Saint John 7pm Centre Aitken September 11 Halifax at Cape Breton 3pm Centre 200 September 16 Cape Breton at Halifax 7pm RBC Centre
The regular season schedule was also announced on Tuesday but I will do a separate post for that.
MEMORIAL CUP Three of the four teams that will participate in the Memorial Cup are known now after the Edmonton Oil Kings won the WHL championship last night over the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Oil Kings won their series 4-2 after a 2-0 Game 6 victory in Alberta. Edmonton will join the Shawinigan Cataractes and the Saint John Sea Dogs in Saint John for the 2022 tournament. Shawinigan won the QMJHL title on June 11 with a 4-3 overtime win in Game 5. The OHL trophy will be handed out tomorrow evening as Game 7 is set to go in Hamilton between the hometown Bulldogs and the Windsor Spitfires.
Congrats to Shawinigan and Edmonton on winning their respective leagues and to whoever wins the OHL.
Photos - NHL and Mooseheads website, Sea Dogs Twitter
