The top players in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League include Anaheim Ducks second- rounder Maxime Comtois, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alex-Barré Boulet and 2018 NHL Draft prospects Joe Veleno and Noah Dobson. The bigger headline might be the team who didn’t qualify for this year’s playoffs: the Saint John Sea Dogs. They won the 2011 Memorial Cup and represented the QMJHL at the 2017 Memorial Cup.
2018 QMJHL Playoff Picture: What’s in a Name?
The QMJHL has produced some of the biggest legends in hockey history, such as Guy Lefleur, Mario Lemieux and b. In more recent years, they are associated with Sidney Crosby (Rimouski) and Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax). This season is no exception. The QMJHL continues to be a prime source of NHL talent.
League leaders include Tampa Bay prospect Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada), Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Vitalii Abramov (Victoriaville Tigres), 2018 NHL Draft prospect Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) and Colten Ellis (Rimouski Océanic).
Playoff picture, based on overall standings:
Battle ready: The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada are leading the charge into playoffs. They have the best record in the league (46-11-4-3) and have clinched their Division.
2-4: It’s a tight race between Acadie-Bathurst Titan (41-15-7-2, 91 pts), Rimouski Océanic (41-17-6-1, 89 points) and the Halifax Mooseheads (41-17-6-1, 89 points). I have to admit that’s the first time I’ve ever seen two teams with the exact same record and points totals this late in the season.
5-8: Very close behind the Mooseheads in fifth place are the Drummondville Voltigeurs, with a record of 41-20-3-1 and 86 points. 6. Victoriaville Tigres, 39-20-4-2, 84 points. 7. Québec Remparts, 38-21-3-3, 82 points. 8. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 36-19-7-3, 82 points.
9-11: The Charlottetown Islanders are in ninth place, with a record of 35-23-7-0 and 77 points. Looking at their records, you might mistakenly think that the Sherbrooke Phoenix (32-23-7-4, 75 points) and the Gatineau Olympiques (32-23-5-4, 73 points) were the same team.
The Sea Dogs and 2012 Memorial Cup Champions the Shawinigan Cataractes have been eliminated from playoffs.
One more thing: View the complete list of teams who have clinched playoffs.
Check out the WHL Playoff Picture here.
Check out the OHL Playoff Picture Here.
