This is the monthly recap of all the top news stories from the QMJHL for the month of July.
League:
The league has approved a number of changes including the expansion of player scholarships, the shortening of the QMJHL draft, the dissolution of the American draft and the creation of workshops and a new partnership program.
Players:
A number of players who passed through the 2024 NHL Draft received NHL development camp invites including Charlottetown's Marcus Kearsey and Chicotuimi's Thomas Desruisseaux, who were among our top five QMJHL players who went undrafted this year.
Speaking of drafts, the CHL Import Draft took place July 3rd, and saw the Val-d'Or Foreurs select Calgary Flames prospect Matvei Gridin. At the tail end of the month, Moncton's Loke Johansson became the first of the this year's batch of imports to commit to the QMJHL.
Johansson wasn't the only signing this month, as the New Jersey Devils signed their 2023 fourth round pick, Cape Breton's Cam Squires, to an entry-level deal.
We also dropped the our QMJHL watchlist for the 2025 NHL Draft, featuring 15 first time eligible skaters, five goalies and five re-entries.
International:
July saw the beginning of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. With the announcement of the Winter Olympics returning to Salt Lake City in 2032, we looked back at the QMJHL talents in the 2002 Salt Lake Games. We also looked ahead to the prospective alumni who may make the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
As for current players, ten QMJHLers were named to national team rosters for August's Hlinka-Gretzky tournament.
This month also saw the start of the World Junior's Summer Showcase, where five QMJHL stars are battling for a spot on Team Canada's roster for the World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa this New Year's season.
18 QMJHLers got invites to Team Canada's Under-17 development camp.
Alumni:
July 1st was the beginning of the NHL's free agency and saw many former QMJHL stars like Jonathan Marchessault and David Perron change teams.
A number of former RFA's were able to come to deals with their teams in former Moosehead Justin Barron and former Rempart Louis Crevier.
With the free agent season in full swing, we showcased five former QMJHL stars to watch in their contract years, including Sidney Crosby, as well as four bounce-back candidates too.
We also highlighted the six QMJHL affiliated prospects that made The Athletic's Top 100 prospect list.
On the topic of NHL prospects, a few QMJHL names were dealt this month in former NHL first rounder Xavier Bourgault and goalie prospect Kevin Mandolese, meanwhile former QMJHL coach Pascal Vincent was hired as the head coach of the AHL's Laval Rocket.
We also took a moment to reflect, looking at QMJHL-affiliated statistical leaders in the NHL, minor leagues and, of course, last season's QMJHL leaders.
The month also saw some bitter news as former QMJHLer turned overseas star Vladimir Tkachev tore his achilles in a freak accident. Furthermore, former Victoriaville Tigres players Nicolas Daigle and Massimo Siciliano were sentenced for two years for sexually assaulting a minor in 2021.