The Chicoutimi Saguenéens have set their sights on two attackers as the curtain-raiser for the Maritimes Quebec Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft, Friday evening, in Moncton. Among these players, one of them intends to continue his career in the United States.
This is New Brunswicker Tynan Lawrence, who was chosen 10th in the first round by the Sags, although he has an agreement with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the American junior circuit (USHL) in view of the next season. He was also conspicuous by his absence in the stands of the Center Avenir when his name was mentioned by a member of the Sags staff.
A few minutes earlier, with the sixth overall pick, general manager Yanick Jean had gotten his hands on Jayden Plouffe, of the Phénix du Collège Esther-Blondin. Despite certain rumors, Yanick Jean ultimately did not make any transactions during the first round.
Aged 16, Plouffe is a five-foot-nine, 168-pound left winger. Last year, the hockey player scored 17 goals and added 29 assists for a total of 46 points in 42 games with Collège Esther-Blondin. This harvest allowed him to finish seventh in points in the Quebec M18 AAA Development League.
I am very happy to be part of this great family of the Saguenéens. I am ready to start my junior journey with this team. I had a very interesting interview with the majority of the staff and it went very well
launched the main interested party in a telephone interview.
Two players among the top five
Plouffe was listed fourth by the Recruitment Support Center (CSR) of the QMJHL. In interview with the television network Eastlink a few moments after his selection, the young man from Terrebonne described himself as a fast player.
Yes, I am a fast player. When I’m moving, I’m hard to contain. I am a player with good hockey sense, who finishes his checks. In fact, I’m a player who can do a lot of things on the ice. These are my great qualities
underlined Jayden Plouffe, who is a friend of attacker Jérémy Leroux, who played two seasons in Chicoutimi.
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Jayden Plouffe is surrounded by several members of the Saguenéens organization, including president Richard Létourneau and general manager Yanick Jean to his right.
Photo: Courtesy of LHJMQ/Vincent Éthier
Plouffe said he was impatient to arrive in Chicoutimi and experience his first training camp with the Blues next August.
As for Lawrence, who played last year in the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary’s program in Minnesota, where several big names have passed, including Sidney Crosby, he was considered the second best prospect of this selection session. However, it slipped to 10e rank due to his contract with an American team and his ultimate desire to join the ranks of the university circuit of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). If Lawrence doesn’t show up and Yanick Jean doesn’t manage to trade him, the Saguenéens could receive a compensatory pick in the first round next year.
The draft of the QMJHL continues Saturday in Moncton with the presentation of rounds 2 to 14 starting at 8:30 a.m. The Saguenéens currently have no choice for rounds 3 to 7.
