The 2024-25 season is just around the corner, and the 2025 NHL Entry Draft class has some intriguing eligible players to look out for from the QMJHL. Picking just 5 names to watch wasn’t easy. However, these 5 players will likely be picked high this summer, and will likely have long professional careers. Here are 5 QMJHL players to watch for as we gear up for this upcoming season.
The main name to watch is Caleb Desnoyers, who currently projects to be picked in the later half of the top 10 to the middle of the first round.
Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats
Caleb Desnoyers is a smart, two-way centre who has a beautiful stride that generates a lot of power. His straight-line speed is great and he has a very dangerous shot that he can use at that speed. He competes very hard and isn’t afraid of physicality. His puck control is superb. He can be very effective at both ends and is incredible in the faceoff dot. His IQ with the puck is good, but his IQ off of the puck is amazing. His defensemen likely breathe a sigh of relief when they see him on the ice, as he’s one of the more defensively responsible forwards in this whole class. He seems to be 3 steps ahead and always seems to know where the puck is headed. Desnoyers has no trouble executing plays, especially when finding the best passing option available. He’ll do everything he can to help his team win. I think he’s a perfect fit in a QMJHL Top-6 that can play first line on most teams and on the PP + PK, no questions asked. He projects to be an early to mid-1st round pick and a potential NHL first/second line centre.
Émile Guité, LW, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Émile Guité is a smart, goal-scoring left winger who possesses a good stride that generates momentum. His straight-line speed is great and he has a dangerous shot that he can use with that speed. He competes hard and he can throw his weight around well. His hands won’t blow you away, but they’re good enough. He can be very effective at both ends, but he turns over the puck often when collecting passes. Guité’s IQ with the puck is decent, but off of the puck, his IQ is amazing. He seems to be 3 steps ahead and always seems to know where the puck is headed. He has some bite to his game, and he isn’t afraid to muck it up in the corners. Guité has no trouble executing plays, especially when firing his deadly one-timer, the best shot in his arsenal. I think he’s a good fit in a QMJHL Top-6 that can play on PP and PK, no questions asked. He projects to be a late 1st-early 2nd round pick and a potential NHL Top-6 forward.
Liam Kilfoil, C, Halifax Mooseheads
Liam Kilfoil is a smart, defensive centre who has a nice stride that generates a good amount of power. His straight-line speed is very good and he has a great shot that he can use at that speed, along with a useful set of hands. He competes very hard for every inch, and despite his size, he will never shy away from physicality. Kilfoil is effective at both ends, but especially in the defensive zone. He’s just a smart player. His IQ with the puck is good, and off of the puck it’s great. He’s a player who can find or create scoring chances for his teammates. He won’t score 20 goals at the NHL level, but he’ll be the type of player that will help you win the Stanley Cup. I think he’s a good fit in a top-6 at the QMJHL level who can play PK and PP, no problem. He projects to be a 3rd round pick and a potential NHL third-line centre.
Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Justin Carbonneau is a big, goal-scoring right-winger who has a great stride that generates a lot of power. His straight-line speed is very dangerous and he has a quick, accurate shot that he can use at that speed, along with good puck control. He competes hard and is great on the forecheck. Despite his size, he doesn’t play like he’s 6’3”. Carbonneau is hardly a factor in his own end, he turns the puck over a bit too much, and he isn’t physical enough. His IQ with the puck is great. He’s a player who can find or create those scoring chances for his teammates despite him being a shoot-first player. I think he’s a good fit on the first line at the QMJHL level and can play on the top PP unit. For me, he projects to be a late 1st round pick and a potential second-line winger at the NHL level.
Alex Huang, RHD, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Alex Huang is a play-driving, rushing defenseman who has a fluid stride that generates a lot of space between him and his opponents. His straight-line speed is up there with the best among the defensemen in this class. It’s easier said than done for him to control the puck at full speed. Turnovers are frequent, as opponents consistently close in on him. He tries his best to outsmart opponents and directs play like a pro at the point when he’s prompted to play the role of quarterback. Huang can be effective in his own end, but he usually gets so far up ice that he’s left behind often forcing a forward to backcheck for him. He loves to drive the play and fly past even his own wingers, and he can string some great passes together. Huang rarely gets shots off, as he’s very quick to create space to make a pass, but I think he’s a good fit in a top-4 at the QMJHL level who can be a lone defenseman on the #1 PP. For me, he projects to be a 2nd/3rd round pick and a potential 2nd-pair defenseman at the NHL level.
It is going to be a season to watch in the QMJHL this season. Check back at RecruitScouting.com for more coverage of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as the year goes on.