2023 QMJHL Draft Results

Round 1

The 2023 QMJHL Draft has future NHL talent on display. Find out who went to what QMJHL team and our grades for all 20 first round picks.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 29, 2023.

1. Moncton Wildcats: Caleb Desnoyers, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Moncton Wildcats took the best player on the board with the first pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. Caleb Desnoyers is someone who is the complete package as far as QMJHL prospects go.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 163 lb Caleb Desnoyers was considered the top overall player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. Caleb Desnoyers is the son of David Desnoyers and the younger brother of former Moncton Wildcats 2018 first round pick Elliot Desnoyers who was drafted eighteenth overall in the 2018 QMJHL Draft before being the Philadelphia Flyers 2020 fifth round pick.
   
   
   
   Caleb Desnoyers came into the Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois QM18AAA Team and earned team captain right out of the gate. Caleb Desnoyers had 23 goals, 30 assists, and 53 points in 42 regular season games as a first line center in 2022-2023. Caleb Desnoyers also had 9 goals, 14 assists, and 23 points in 15 playoff games over the span of 31 days in the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs playing the last five or six games through an injury while leading Saint-Hyacinthe to a championship in Bantam Hockey.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 16, Desnoyers has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, power play ability, and penalty killing to succeed in the QMJHL. He can play all three zones with the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger. He's going to quarterback the power play while also playing a penalty killer role. He can play a 200 foot game as well and is just a very complete player.
   
   
   
2. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Emile Guite, LW, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Chicoutimi Sagueneens took the best player on the board with the second pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. Emile Guite the teammate and line mate of Caleb Desnoyers at left winger is the consensus second best player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 163 lb Emile Guite came into the Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois QM18AAA Team and earned the alternate captain role behind teammate Caleb Desnoyers right out of the gate. Emile Guite had 26 goals, 22 assists, and 48 points in 41 regular season games as a first line left winger in 2022-2023. Emile Guite also had 10 goals, 8 assists, and 18 points in 15 playoff games over the span of 31 days in the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs playing the last five or six games through an injury while leading Saint-Hyacinthe to a championship in Bantam Hockey.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 16, Guite has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, power play ability, and penalty killing to succeed in the QMJHL. He's an elite sniper that will dominate on special teams. He's versatile enough to play both left winger and right winger on the wing. He's still got to get stronger and improve a skater, but Guite has an NHL ready shot and versatility on the wing that NHL teams will covet.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada: Mateo Norbert, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   Blainvile-Boisbriand Armada was going to pick either Zachary Morin or Mateo Norbert at 3. After rumors about Zachary Morin the consensus third best player going to the USHL and spuring the QMJHL came to fruition, Mateo Norbert the consensus fourth best player became the slam dunk selection for Blainville-Boisbriand Armada at 3.
   
   
   
   The 5-10 139 lb Mateo Norbert had 20 goals, 24 assists, and 44 points in 42 games with the La St-Louis Lions QM18AAA Team in 2022-2023. Mateo Norbert had 2 goals, 14 assists, and 16 points in 10 games during the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Mateo Norbert has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. He's got to add some muscle while improving as a skater too, but most of the traits you want from a playmaker are there.
   
   
   
4. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Nathan Lecompte, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Chicoutimi Sagueneens get a playmaker center at 4 to pair with their sniper left winger Emile Guite who was drafted second overall. This is where Nathan Lecompte comes into play as Nathan Lecompte was the sixth best player on the board with Zachary Morin and Alex Huang being the only better value picks. However Nathan Lecompte has great leadership traits which is why this is a fourth straight A+ grade.
   
   
   
   The 5-9 154 lb Nathan Lecompte had 32 goals, 28 assists, and 60 points as an alternate captain in 41 games with Chateaugay Grenadiers QM18AAA team in 2022-2023. Nathan Lecompte had 4 goals, 5 assists, and 9 points during the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Nathan Lecompte has the skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, stick handling, shot blocking, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. Chicoutimi gets a player who can potentially be the teams first line center and should end up complimenting Emile Guite on the top line of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Second year right winger Maxim Masse could mentor both Emile Guite and Nathan Lecompte on the same line this season as that trio is expected to play 20 to 25 minutes per game.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Alex Huang, D, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   Chicoutimi got a second defenseman with the fifth pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft to pair with Xavier Veilleux last years first round pick. The Chicoutimi Sagueneens selected Alex Huang who was considered the fifth best player on the board and a fantastic value pick to round out the top five of the 2023 QMJHL Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 154 lb Alex Huang had 6 goals, 34 assists, and 40 points with the Saint-Eustache Vikings QM18AAA Team in 2022-2023. Alex Huang also had 0 goals, 5 assists, and 5 points in 7 games during the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Alex Huang has the skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, stick handling, shot blocking, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. Chicoutimi has filled all of their voids at forward and defenseman on their first lines in the last two QMJHL drafts.
   
   
   
6. Moncton Wildcats: Shawn Carrier, LW, (2025) A- Grade
   
   
   The Drummondville Voltigeurs traded the sixth pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft to the Sherbrooke Phoenix for Ethan Gauthier the first overall pick in the 2021 QMJHL Draft and a fourth round pick as the Sherbrooke Pheonix got the sixth pick, a 2024 first, a 2025 first, two 2024 second round picks, and a 2023 third round pick. The Moncton Wildcats traded the thirteenth pick and a 2024 first round pick ot the Sherbrooke Phoenix to pick sixth overall. The irony is that the 2023 QMJHL Draft was in Sherbrooke and the 2024 QMJHL Draft will be hosted by Moncton next year.
   
   
   
   Sherbrooke was able to get three first round picks in the QMJHL Draft by flipping Ethan Gauthier by trading the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2023 second round pick to the Drummondville Voltigeurs and then they flipped one of those picks at six for picks 13 and a 2024 first round pick. Sherbrooke was able to turn Ethan Gauthier into five first round selections, but the Montcton Wildcats selected Shawn Carrier sixth overall after trading up with the Sherbrooke Phoenix.
   
   
   
   The 5-9 154 lb Shawn Carrier is versatile enough to play left winger or center. Shawn Carrier played left winger on Trois-Rivieres Estacades, but played center on Team Quebec at the 2023 Canadian World Games with Caleb Desnoyers lining up at left wing, Shawn Carrier at center, and Emile Guite at right winger.
   
   
   
   Shawn Carrier had 16 goals, 18 assists, and 34 points in 40 games with the Trois-Rivieres Estacades in the QM18AAA in 2022-2023. Shawn Carrier had 4 goals, 3 assists and 7 points in the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs in 10 games.
   
   
   
   Shawn Carrier has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. This guy has a nose for the net. He may start out on the wing and transition to center. He's a future first line player though and his chemistry with Caleb Desnoyers is probably why Moncton traded up for Shawn Carrier at 6.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada: Xavier Villeneuve, D, (2026) B- Grade
   
   
   The Shawinigan Cataractes traded the seventh pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada gave up picks 17, 22, and 37 in the 2023 QMJHL Draft along with a 2024 first round pick that the Halifax Mooseheads gave Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Those four selections went to the Shawinigan Cataractes which is a big reason they moved down ten spots.
   
   
   
   The 5-9 139 lb Xavier Villeneuve was the twelfth best player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft, so I'm not sure this is a player that I would trade up to 7 for. However, he's an elite skater with a good wrist shot and slap shot. He's also an accurate passer, but needs to add more muscle and develop his defensive game despite being quite gifted offensively.
   
   
   
   Xavier Villeneuve had 5 goals, 18 assists, and 23 points in 43 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins Under 15 AAA Team that plays at the UPMC Mario Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, PA. Xavier Villenueve was also the team captain of the Lac St-Louis Grenadiers and will not be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2026 meaning that Blainville-Boisbriand Armada can develop the defense of this undersized offensive defenseman for three seasons.
   
   
   
   Xavier Villeneuve has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the QMJHL. This guy the speed, explosiveness, and skating you want from an NHL player, but he still needs to improve his offense and defense in the QMJHL to get to where he wants to be as an NHL prospect in three years.
   
   
   
8. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Jonathan Prud'Homme, D, (2025) C Grade
   
   
   The 5-9 168 lb Jonathan Prud'Home was considered the fifteenth best player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens took him eighth overall. Jonathan Prud'Homme had 7 goals, 17 assists, and 24 points in 41 games with the Chateauguay Grenadiers in the QM18AAA in 2022-2023. He had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 9 games in the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs. Jonathan Prud'Homme was teammates with Nathan Lecompte in Bantam which may have been why Chicoutimi gambled on Jonathan Prud'Homme at 8.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Baie-Comeau Drakkar: Olivier Lampron, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 161 lb Olivier Lampron is can play all three zones and is versatile enough to play center, left wing, and right wing making him the only player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft outside of Caleb Desnoyers the top pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft with this quality. He was also the ninth best player available in the 2023 QMJHL Draft..
   
   
   
   Olivier Lampron had 8 goals, 23 assists, and 31 points in 40 games with the Saint-Eustache Vikings in the QM18AAA in 2022-2023. Olivier Lampron had 1 goal, 6 assists, and 7 points in 7 games during the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs. Olivier Lampron also had 2 goals in a game for Team Quebec in the 2023 Canada World Games displaying traits of both a sniper on the wing and a playmaker at center.
   
   
   
   Olivier Lampron has the skating, speed, versatility, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, and release to succeed in the QMJHL. Olivier Lampron is gonna give Baie-Comeau Drakkar a forward they can depend on. He needs to improve his face off ability despite playing well at center at times, but he can play left winger which is his secondary position. Olivier Lampron was a right winger during the 2023 Canada World Games.
   
   
   
10. Rimouski Oceanic: William Lacelle, G, (2026) A Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 159 lb William Lacelle is the top goalie in the 2023 QMJHL Draft as well as the eleventh best player in the QMJHL Draft according to the league sites official rankings. William Lacelle had a 1.55 goals against average and a .947 save percentage in 24 starts with the Lac St-Louis Lions in the QM18AAA Team in 2022-2023. William Lacelle also had a 2.56 goals against average and a .932 save percentage in 10 games during the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
    
    
    
    His goals against average skyrocketted while his save percentage plummetted in the 2023 Canada World Games which is the biggest reason I didn't give this an A+ grade. He relies on his body and stick to make saves. He didn't utilize his glove or blocker pad when watching the limited sample size of highlights that were available. Rimosuki is gonna need their goalie coach to step up and coach up William Lacelle.
    
    
    
    William Lacelle models his game after Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. He doesn't check off any of the boxes you want for an NHL goalie yet, but he will have three full seasons in the QMJHL before being draft eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Val-d'Or Foreurs: Phillippe Veilleux, C, (2025) B Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 159 lb Phillippe Veilleux was the sixteenth best player available according to the QMJHL Draft rankings that are released to the general public. Phillippe Veilleux had 23 goals, 17 assists, and 40 points on College Charles-Lemoyne Riverians in the QM18AAA in 2022-2023. Phillippe Veilleux had 5 goals, 3 assists, and 8 points in the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
    
    
    
    It feels like Val-d'Or Foreurs reached here, but the one encouraging note is that his coaches said he was the first one in and last one out when playing with the College Charles-Lemoyne Riverians. You have to feel optimistic about how Phillippe Veilleux did in the playoffs despite underperfomring slightly in the regular season which is why this selection warrants a B grade.
    
    
    
12. Cape Breton Eagles: Emile Ricard, LW, (2026) C+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 157 lb Emile Ricard is considered the ninteenth best player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft according to the QMJHL Draft rankings that the media releases to the general public. He's also the son of former QMJHL GM of the year Dominic Ricard.
    
    
    
    Emile Ricard talked about wanting to be a leader and a first or second line forward at either left winger or center meaning the versatility to play left wing and center in the QMJHL might be there. He's great at defending and can play the power play or kill penalties.
    
    
    
    Emile Ricard had 13 goals, 15 assists, and 28 points in 42 games with the Magog Cantonniers in the QM18AAA in 2022-2023. Emile Ricard had 2 goals, 4 assists, and 6 points in 6 games during the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
    
    
    
    I was originally going to give this pick a C grade. Seeing Ricard talk about his goal of being a top six forward at left winger or center makes me believe he may be more versatile. He's also excellent at defending and did well in the playoffs despite struggling in the regular season. Also, Emile Ricard already signed his contract to join the Cape Breton Eagles this Fall and will not be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2026.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Sherbrooke Phoenix: Louis-Alex Tremblay, D, (2025) C Grade
    
    
    The Sherbrooke Pheonix had twelve draft picks in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. Sherbrooke drafted seven forwards, three defenseman, and two goalies with their twelve picks in the 2023 QMJHL Draft which was in Sherbrooke. Sherbrooke's 2023 QMJHL Draft started with first round pick Louis-Alex Tremblay and ended with his twin brother Felix Tremblay being picked by the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the fourteenth round.
    
    
    
    Sherbrooke took the forty first best player on the QMJHL Draft's big board thirteenth overall which would warrant an F grade. I've read some message boards on HF Boards with fans of the Sherbrooke Phoenix saying they deserve a B+ grade. Taking Louis-Alex Tremblay and his twin Felix is why Sherbrooke avoided an F grade. Sherbrooke traded Ethan Gauthier to Drummondville for three first round picks and then got two more first round picks when they moved down from six to thirteen. Sherbrooke may have reached at thirteen, but they have three first round picks in 2024 as well as two first round picks in 2025 which is why the Sherbrooke Phoenix got a C grade despite reaching at 13.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 170 lb Louis-Alex Tremblay had 9 goals, 29 assists, and 37 points with Seminaire St-Francois Blizzard in the QM18AAA in 2022-2023. Louis-Alex Tremblay also had 1 goal, 6 assists, and 7 points in the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Louis-Alex Tremblay loves to pass the puck to teammates. He was nicknamed Mr. Powerplay by teammates. He wore a jersey that said powerplay on the back of his jersey during warmups two hours before a game before changing into his regular uniform. That's the kind of motor and work ethic this defenseman has. He's got ideal size for a QMJHL defenseman, but will need to get bigger and stronger if he wants his game to translate to the NHL. He's also gonna need to develop his shot in the QMJHL too.
    
    
    
14. Rimouski Oceanic: Tyson Goguen, C, (2025) C Grade
    
    
    The Rimouski Oceanic traded the fifth pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens the day before the 2023 QMJHL Draft for the tenth pick and a 2025 first round pick. Rimouski took the best goalie in the 2023 QMJHL Draft with the tenth pick, but the Oceanic also traded their 2023 second round pick at twenty five and a 2024 second round pick from the Charlottetown Islanders to move up to the fourteenth pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft.
    The 5-8 150 lb Tyson Goguen was the thirty third best player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft according to the league websites media rankings for the 2023 QMJHL Draft. Tyson Goguen has done quite a lot when playing hockey with three different teams over the last three years.
    
    
    
    Tyson Goguen had 6 goals, 4 assists, and 10 points with the Saskatoon Stallions Under 15 AA Team in 4 games in 2020-2021. He got promoted to alternate captain on the Montcton Hawks Under 15 AAA Team with 20 goals, 21 assists, and 41 points in 24 games the following season in 2021-2022. Tyson Goguen had 35 goals, 30 assists, and 65 points in 46 games with the South Kent School Under 15 AAA Team in 2022-2023. Tyson Goguen had 8 goals, 6 assists, and 14 points in 14 games with the South Kent Schol Under 16 AAA Team after getting promoted from the Under 15 to the Under 16 Team still averaging a point per game after his promotion in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Tyson Goguen has been a very good player wherever he's gone the last few years. The only drawback is he's got no playoff experience.
    
    
    
    Tyson Goguen has the skating, speed, versatility, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, and release to succeed in the QMJHL. Tyson Goguen's speed, skating, playmaking, and shot stood out when watching his highlights. He also sounded very confident in his interview which is why I gave Rimouski a C grade despite reaching because this is a solid pick that could surprise many.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Val-d'Or Foreurs: Jordan Labelle, LW, (2025) C- Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 176 lb Jordan Labelle had 5 goals, 7 assists, and 12 points in 30 games with the Saint-Eustache Vikings in the QM18AAA in 2022-2023. He also had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Jordan Labelle was ranked eighteenth in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. That little production from Labelle makes me yawn.
    
    
    
16. Shawinigan Cataractes: Cole Chandler, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 165 lb Cole Chandler was the seventh best player on the board in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. This is excellent value this late at 16 for the Shawinigan Cataractes here.
    
    
    
    Cole Chandler had 26 goals, 25 assists, and 51 points in 31 games with the Steel Subaru Under 18 Team in 2022-2023. Cole Chandler also had 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points in 7 games with the Steele Subaru Under 18 Team in the 2023 NSU18MHL Playoffs. There's an argument to be made that Cole Chandler is the biggest steal in the back end of the first round in the 2023 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Cole Chandler has the versatility, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, release, hands, stick handling, agility, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, power play ability, penalty killing ability, and one-on-one ability you want in a QMJHL center. Shawinigan got themselves a massive steal with Cole Chandler at sixteen who stood out in the interview process too.
    
    
    
    
    
17. Shawinigan Cataractes: Jeremy Loranger, C, (2025) D+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-7 130 lb Jeremy Loranger was versatile enough to play center and right winger, but he was also the fifty sixth best player on the board in the 2023 QMJHL Draft which is why this pick felt like a massive reach. Jeremy Loranger had 6 goals, 18 assists, and 24 points in 42 QM18AAA games with the Trois-Rivieres Estacades in 2022-2023. Jeremy Loranger had 5 goals, 6 assists, and 11 points in 11 games during the 2023 QM18AAA Playoffs.
    
    
    
18. Baie-Comeau Drakkar: Jabez Seymour, C, (2025) C Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 183 lb Jabez Seymour was the thirty first ranked player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. Jabez Seymour had 12 goals, 20 assists, and 32 points with South Kent School Under 15 AAA Team in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    
    
19. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada: Zachary Morin, LW, (2025) C- Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 174 lb Zachary Morin is versatile enough to play left winger and center. He was the third best overall player in the 2023 QMJHL Draft, but the reason most teams passed on him is because those teams knew he was choosing the USHL over the QMJHL. Zachary Morin is an A+ caliber prospect, but Blainville-Boisbriand Armada gets an F grade as a team for spending the Halifax Mooseheads 2023 first round pick on someone who went the USHL route over the QMJHL route. That averages out to a C- grade and you'll get the Zachary Morin writeup in greater detail once I get to the 2023 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
20. Charlottetown Islanders: Owen Conrad, D, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 185 lb Owen Conrad was the tenth best player available in the 2023 QMJHL Draft and the only player in the top 10 still on the board at 20. This was a slam dunk A+ pick for the Charlottetown Islanders to wrap up the first round.
    
    
    
    Owen Conrad had 9 goals, 23 assists, and 32 points in 32 games with the Weeks Major Midgets Under 18 Team in 2022-2023. Also Owen Conrad is the biggest defenseman in the 2023 QMJHL Draft in terms of size and has already signed his QMJHL contract with the Charlottetown Islanders.
    
    
    
    Owen Conrad has the versatility, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, release, hands, stick handling, agility, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, power play ability, penalty killing ability, and one-on-one ability you want in a QMJHL defenseman on both ends. The Charlottetown Islanders got a massive steal to wrap up the first round of the 2023 QMJHL Draft with Owen Conrad.