2026 NHL Draft – Top 10 QMJHL Prospects – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Of the three major Canadian junior hockey leagues, the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) tends to get the least amount of attention. This list will dive into the 10 best draft-eligible prospects from the QMJHL for 2026, as outlined by NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.

10. Oleg Kulebyakin, RW, Halifax Mooseheads

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 87^th (among North American skaters)

As an 18-year-old QMJHL rookie, Oleg Kulebyakin led the Halifax Mooseheads in point-scoring, registering 29 goals and 44 assists in 64 games. He was particularly hot at the end of the regular season, with 22 points in his final 13 contests.

Kulebyakin is a fluid skater with skill and smarts. As noted by Neutral Zone, his motor can be inconsistent, but there are times when it shines. He’s ranked 10^th on this list, which suggests a mid-to-late round selection at the 2026 NHL Draft, but there’s some upside here.

9. Louis-Félix Bourque, RW, Drummondville Voltigeurs

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 84^th

Louis-Félix Bourque put up admirable numbers for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. In 54 games, the 6-foot-2, 216-pound winger had 24 goals and 25 assists. His playoff showing didn’t have anything to write home about on the stat sheet, but it was a good season for the 17-year-old.

Bourque is listed as a winger, but he can also play the center position. He has great speed for a big forward, making him dangerous coming down the wing. The blend of size, speed, and shooting ability should be an interesting combination for teams to consider in the mid-to-late rounds.

8. Niko Tournas, RW, Moncton Wildcats

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 72^nd

Niko Tournas, a two-year overager, has been a major standout for the Moncton Wildcats this season. He recorded a team-high 43 goals and added 31 assists in 64 games, and his playoff performance helped the Wildcats reach the 2026 Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final.

Two seasons ago, Tournas recorded just five points in 41 games in the United States Hockey League (USHL) as a draft-eligible player. Now, he may be on some teams’ radars. With size (6-foot-2, 198 pounds), goalscoring upside, and skill, the 20-year-old offers NHL potential.

7. Rian Chudzinski, RW, Moncton Wildcats

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 63^rd

Rian Chudzinski recorded 21 goals and 17 assists in 54 games for the Wildcats during the regular season, ranking 10^th on the team in points. In the playoffs, he has found a way to contribute more on the score sheet, operating at around a point-per-game pace as of writing.

Off of production alone, Chudzinski doesn’t really scream “63^rd-best prospect in North America,” but his play style is rather projectable. He has good speed, embraces the physical side of the game, and likes to get to the net front. The 18-year-old displays classic bottom-six winger traits.

6. Charlie Morrison, D, Québec Remparts

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 39^th

Charlie Morrison, the third-ranked defenseman out of the QMJHL this season, combines size and skating ability. His numbers were rather unassuming, recording four goals and nine assists in 41 games, but his traits could allow for a second- or third-round selection.

Morrison is comfortable carrying the puck and is more capable offensively than his production would indicate. At 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds with solid shutdown ability, scouts should like his game come draft time.

5. Liam Lefebvre, C, Chicoutimi Saguenéens

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 38^th

Liam Lefebvre, a first-year overager, should get drafted this time around. Between two clubs, the 6-foot-3, 203-pound center notched 32 goals and 27 assists across 59 regular-season games in 2025-26. His production has dipped in the playoffs, but he’s nonetheless going strong in the Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final.

Lefebvre plays with physicality and speed and isn’t afraid to shoot the puck. Even after being passed on in the 2025 class, he has upside as a bottom-six forward.

4. Egor Shilov, C, Victoriaville Tigres

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 19^th

Egor Shilov is the first of four players on this list who have a realistic chance to be selected in the first round. The 6-foot-1, 181-pound center recorded 32 goals and 50 assists in 63 games and was a point per game in a short postseason run.

Shilov has tons of skill, making him a potent presence when he gets puck touches in the offensive zone. He breaks down defenses and can finish the job with his shot. The Russian native could be a top-six forward someday.

3. Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 18^th

Xavier Villeneuve has fallen down the consensus rankings a tad, and part of that is justified. But he’s still one of the highest-upside prospects in the class, with the chance to become a star when all is said and done.

In a season paused by injury, Villeneuve recorded six goals and 32 assists in 37 games. After putting up 62 points in 61 games last season, the 5-foot-11 defenseman’s production didn’t improve. But with his creativity, IQ, skating, puck-handling, and defensive improvements, this player should still go relatively high.

2. Tommy Bleyl, D, Moncton Wildcats

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 17^th

Tommy Bleyl has taken Villeneuve’s place as the highest-ranked defenseman from the QMJHL this draft cycle, and the hype is deserved. The same size concerns still exist here (5-foot-11, 165 pounds), but the two-way acumen is undeniable.

Bleyl led the Wildcats in scoring during the regular season, putting up 13 goals and 68 assists in 63 games. Beyond the production, what makes him stand out is his high-end mobility, smooth puck retrievals, and ability to create.

1. Maddox Dagenais, C, Québec Remparts

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 15^th

Maddox Dagenais is the No. 1-ranked QMJHL player for the 2026 class, poised to be selected in the first round this summer. He recorded 30 goals and 32 assists in 62 games for the Remparts, playing both at center and on the wing.

Dagenais has impressive mobility, especially for his 6-foot-4, 196-pound frame. He can be a handful for the opposition, combining physicality with puck-carrying ability and a dangerous shot.

Last year’s draft class had some excellent QMJHL talent, headlined by Caleb Desnoyers. The 2026 class, though not as strong, features a few potential first-round picks. Keep an eye on these youngsters.