Recently we have witnessed two major shifts to the US to QMJHL pipeline. 

This summer saw the dissolution of the American draft, which had been historically unsuccessful in luring talent to Eastern Canada -- with only one player of 216 making the move to the 'Q' from the draft thus far despite featuring many notable names such as top-10 NHL picks Will Smith (San Jose) and Ryan Leonard (Washington).

Just last week, the NCAA has ruled that players can now play in the CHL without risking their collegiate hockey eligibility.

Already, even in anticipation for of this move, the QMJHL has seen a number of college-linked and committed players jump to the league including Saint John's Zach Morin (Boston University), Acadie-Bathurst's Maddex Marmulak (Cornell), Charlottetown's Jude Herron (Maine) and it is believed that Detroit Red Wings prospect goaltender Rudy Guimond (Yale) may soon join the list as he is linked to Moncton.

Commissioner Mario Cecchini spoke recently about the changes and mentioned that the hope is that the league will be able to lure in more American talent -- something that the league has been trying to do for decades.

With these changes, we can expect many more to come. Although in order to join the league, you need to have been drafted to it (or another CHL league) beforehand, or at least get a camp invite.

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2004-borns (overagers)

As there's only three overage slots for QMJHL teams, the criterea of who might be considered good candidates to jump over to the league is quite strict.

The 2020 American draft featured a fair few great talents who wouldn't make the move as they are already in the NCAA including San Jose Sharks second round centerman Cam Lund (Northeastern), Minnesota Wild fourth round defenseman Ryan Healey (Harvard), New Jersey Devils fourth rounder defenseman Charlie Leddy (Quinnipiac) among others.

However there are two intriguing names that have the resume to make the jump, but have yet to play in the NCAA.

A possible target for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar could be defender Shaun McEwen (2021, #4), who has put up seven points (2+5) in 15 games with the USHL's Tri-City Storm and is committed to the University of Miami.

The Drakkar's overagers currently look like Devils prospect centerman Matyas Melovsky (25 in 14), defenseman Anthony Lavoie (4 in 19) and right winger Jules Boilard (11 in 19).

The last-place Gatineau Olympiques could target right winger Greyson Badger (2021, #21), who has 16 points (7+9) across 16 games in the BCHL with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, who is committed to Northeastern.

The team's overager situation currently looks like right winger Jeremie Minville (20 in 19), left winger Julien Paille (8 in 14) and defenseman Taos Jordan (4 in 13).

2005-borns

With no restrictions on any players born sooner than 2004, there are plenty of strong candidates who could make the jump to the 'Q' as soon as this season.

Forward Christopher Battaini (Halifax, 2021 6th overall)

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Left winger Alex Pelletier (Blainville-Boisbriand, 2021 11th overall)

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Left winger Owen Leahy (Victoriaville, 2021 13th overall)

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Center Ryan Flaherty (Baie-Comeau, 2021 19th overall)

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Defenseman Shawn Leary (Charlottetown, 2021 36th overall)

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Right winger Landan Resendes (Rimouski, 2022 10th overall)

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Right winger Patrick Murphy (Saint John, 2022 16th overall)

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2006-borns

Defenseman Deke Davidson (Cape Breton, 2022 1st overall)

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Centerman Jack Galanak (Drummondville, 2022 9th overall)

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Defenseman Andrew O'Sullivan (Cape Breton, 2022 19th overall)

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Defenseman Caeden Herrington (Moncton, 2022 25th overall)

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Centerman Ryan Staples (Blainville-Boisbriand, 2022 26th overall)

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Forward Ronald Hill (Charlottetown, 2022 35th overall)

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Center Kolin Sisson (Gatineau, 2023 15th overall)

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Right winger Niko Tournas (Sherbrooke, 2023 34th overall)

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2007-borns

Forward Alexander Donovan (Acadie-Bathurst, 2023 1st overall)

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Center Teddy Mutryn (Val-d'Or, 2023 2nd overall)

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Forward Cameron Caron (Sherbrooke, 2023 16th overall)

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2008-borns

With the dissolution of the American draft, all 2008-borns were drafted in the normal QMJHL draft.

Defenseman Loic Nasreddine (Moncton, 2024 123rd overall)

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Defenseman Brian McFadden (Saint John, 2024 133th overall)

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Center Matthew Krayer (Saint John, 2024 239th overall)

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Right Winger William Bent (Halifax, 2024 251st overall)

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