Montreal Canadiens: QMJHL Prospects Get Off To Hot Start

The Montreal Canadiens appeared to focus heavily on the QMJHL in the 2021 NHL Draft.

They had nine picks over the course of draft weekend and four of them were used on prospects that are playing the QMJHL this season. They only picked four players out of the QMJHL in the seven drafts previously, so this showed a drastic change from the norm.

With the way those players played over the weekend, maybe the Habs should have been focusing on their own back yard long ago.

Riley Kidney was drafted in the second round after scoring 13 goals and 38 points in 33 games with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan last season. He got off to a terrific start to this season as well, putting up one assist in the team’s first game and then scoring twice and adding an assist in the Titan’s second game of the weekend.

He looks to be a key component of the team’s offence and should continue to produce points every week.

Joshua Roy was selected in the fifth round of the draft after a strong offensive season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. The 18 year old scored 35 points in 35 games and continued that pace over the weekend with a pair of assists in two games.

William Trudeau, a smooth skating left defenceman was in action for the Charlottetown Islanders as well. He scored the team’s first goal of the season, and played big minutes in their top four on defence to help them win a pair of games over the Memorial Cup host Saint John Sea Dogs.

Trudeau’s teammate, Xavier Simoneau was a sixth round pick of the Canadiens and he exploded onto the 2021-22 scene for the Islanders. After scoring 37 points in 27 games for the Drummondville Voltigeurs last season, Simoneau picked up where he left off with his new team.

He had one goal and two assists in the Islanders season opening win and scored again while adding another assist in the team’s second game of the weekend.

The four prospects were expected to play big roles on their teams this season and they certainly did not disappoint on opening weekend.