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Is Quebec producing less NHL ready players? A look at Quebecers drafted recently

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Is Quebec producing less NHL ready players? A look at Quebecers drafted recently
The most dramatic entry in recent years for a Quebecer occurred in 2020, when Alexis Lafreniere was selected first overall by the New York Rangers.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years
Since then, the big forward has 52 points in 135 NHL games.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round over the past 5 years

Credit: Le Courrier du Sud
Quebecers drafted in the first round over the past 5 years
After Lafreniere, selected first in 2020, the Quebec player most quickly drafted was Zachary Bolduc, 17th in 2021, by the St. Louis Blues.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
In 2019, Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix was selected 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past five years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past five years
Poulin played last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the American League. He scored 37 points.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
Three Quebec players have heard their name called at No. 22 in the NHL draft in the past five years. In 2020, Hendrix Lapierre of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens was selected by Washington.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past five years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past five years
Lapierre played six games this season in the NHL (1 goal), returning to the QMJHL with Bathurst.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years
The following year, in 2021, Xavier Bourgault was taken 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years
The Oilers let him return to play a fourth season with the Shawinigan Cataractes in 2021-22.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
In the recent draft, Nathan Gaucher, who played for the Quebec Remparts, was selected 25th overall by the Anaheim Ducks.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
Gaucher is expected to return to the Remparts in 2022-23, and will certainly turn heads throughout the QMJHL.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
In 2019, the Calgary Flames have set their sights on the excellent Jakob Pelletier at No. 26.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
Pelletier played in the AHL this season to great acclaim. He had 62 points in 66 games with the Stockton Heat.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
At No. 27 in the 2018 draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Nicolas Beaudin of the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years
Beaudin has since played 22 games in the NHL over 3 seasons. The defenseman hopes to take the next step this year, playing regularly in the NHL.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: On the Forecheck
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
The 27th pick of the 2021 draft was forward Zachary L'Heureux, by the Nashville Predators.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: Le Reflet
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
L'Heureux returned to Halifax this year (after a stint with Moncton) with whom he recorded 56 points in 46 games.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
Maveric Lamoureux was selected 29th in the last draft by the Arizona Coyotes. From the top of his 6 feet 7 inches, he moves air!

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
Another Mavrik, this one Bourque, was recently selected in the first round. He was the 30th pick in the 2020 draft by the Dallas Stars.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for the past 5 years
And in 2019, the Detroit Red Wings selected Joe Veleno, also at No. 30. The Montrealer has since recorded 16 points in 71 games.

  Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Quebecers drafted in the first round for 5 years
It is clear that Quebec can do better, but all the same, let's wish the best of luck to all these talented prospects!
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