139th overall: Vojtech Vochvest, D/Kamloops Blazers
At 139th overall, I finally decided to take a blueliner, and Vojtech Vochvest slides in as a developmental project with just one season so far in North America. He won’t establish himself as a points producer, but Vochvest, with more time to learn the North American game, could become high-end organizational depth or even a hard-hitter on the third-pairing in the latter half of the decade.
154th overall: Thomas Desruisseaux, C/Chicoutimi Sagueneens
Thomas Desruisseaux is a smallish center, clocking in at just 154 lbs, but he’s nonetheless a player who has steadily made more of an impact in the QMJHL. He finished the regular season with 60 points and 16 goals, and if he makes another leap in 2024-25, look for him to draw more excitement in what will be his fourth QMJHL season.
171st overall: Marcus Kearsey, D/Charlottetown Islanders
Marcus Kearsey has yet to truly break out with the Charlottetown Islanders, but his 42 assists in the 2023-24 regular season indicate he has a lot of potential to help teammates finish sequences. He was also selected as an alternate captain this past year, so that’s always encouraging for any player in their draft season.
(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)