The QMJHL season just began, and while many eyes are already on the next crop of draft-eligible stars, several players who already made the jump to the NHL Draft stage in 2025 will be back in junior hockey this fall. For their NHL clubs, it’s an opportunity to let prospects marinate a little longer. For the QMJHL, it’s an injection of star power that will make the 2025-26 season one of the most intriguing in years.

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Here’s a look at the headliners.

Justin Carbonneau – F – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (STL)

Selected with the 19th overall pick, Carbonneau signed his entry-level contract on September 10 and has been turning heads in St. Louis at camp. As the Blues themselves noted in a recent X post, the Armada star has wasted little time showing why he went in the first round.

Justin Carbonneau was our first-round pick for a reason. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/zMX2VzqUle

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 21, 2025

Coming off a season where he posted 89 points (46 goals, 43 assists) in 62 games, Carbonneau has three potential paths in front of him: make the Blues permanently out of camp, earn a nine-game trial before St. Louis makes its decision, or return to the Armada for another year of high-impact QMJHL hockey. Should it be the latter, Blainville-Boisbriand instantly becomes one of the league’s title favorites.

Caleb Desnoyers – C – Moncton Wildcats (UTA)

The highest-drafted QMJHL player in June (4th overall), Desnoyers’ summer took a turn when he underwent wrist surgery in mid-August. The injury will sideline him for roughly 12 weeks, ruling out participation in Utah’s inaugural training camp. That makes a return to Moncton the logical path once he’s cleared. When healthy, Desnoyers will step back into a top-line role with the Wildcats, bringing his blend of size, skill, and hockey IQ to a team with championship aspirations.

Bill Zonnon – F – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (PIT)

The last of the three first-round pick players from the Q (22nd overall), Zonnon was acquired by Blainville-Boisbriand this summer. Zonnon’s presence was supposed to supercharge the Armada’s championship push. Instead, an early injury has sidelined him for at least four weeks, forcing him to miss Pittsburgh’s training camp. When healthy, he’ll head back to junior, where his skillset should make him a difference-maker on one of the QMJHL’s deepest rosters. The missed NHL camp time is a developmental setback, but the Armada will happily welcome him once he’s cleared.

Un mot: Wow! 🎶🐧#LeFuturEstMaintenant⚡️ pic.twitter.com/qbHowHyrdE

— ArmadaBLB (@ArmadaBLB) June 28, 2025

Will Reynolds – D – Newfoundland Regiment (SEA)

One of the QMJHL’s most fascinating stories is unfolding in St. John's where the expansion Newfoundland Regiment begin their first season. A cornerstone of that project is 18-year-old defenseman Will Reynolds, a 6-foot-3, 192-pound Fredericton native who became the third-youngest player selected in this year’s draft. Drafted by Seattle in the third round (68th overall) , Reynolds will be counted on to anchor the Regiment’s blue line as they build an identity in their debut season.

Gabriel D’Aigle – G – Victoriaville Tigres (PIT)

At 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, D’Aigle is built for the modern NHL crease. For now, he’s still the backbone of the Victoriaville Tigres. The Penguins prospect (84th overall) enters this season with expectations to carry his team, but his name could surface in trade-deadline chatter if a contender is looking to shore up its goaltending. Wherever he ends the season, D’Aigle’s performance will play a massive role in shaping the QMJHL’s playoff race.

The Blue Jackets take an early 1-0 lead with a goal on Gabriel D'Aigle, getting the start in goal for Pittsburgh.

We chatted with the 2025 third-round pick about the Marc-Andre Fleury news. They're from the same hometown and have become friends ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/c3gIeAfk52

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 14, 2025

Mateo Nobert – F – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (VGK)

Selected right after D’Aigle (85th overall), Vegas liked what they saw at rookie camp — Nobert tied for the team lead in scoring (2G, 1A) — and he earned a spot at the Golden Knights’ main camp. Still, the most likely outcome is a return to the Armada, where he joins Carbonneau and Zonnon in what looks like a masterclass roster built by Blainville-Boisbriand. Nobert’s speed and finishing ability make him the kind of complementary forward who can shine on a contender.

Why Their Return Matters

The return of these NHL draftees strengthens the QMJHL’s profile as one of the CHL’s most exciting circuits. Fans get another year of watching future NHL talent up close, teams gain leaders who can tilt the ice, and the league as a whole benefits from the added star power.

For their NHL organizations, the QMJHL provides valuable minutes in high-leverage situations, whether it’s Desnoyers anchoring Moncton’s top line, D’Aigle stealing games in net, or the Armada’s trio of Carbonneau, Zonnon, and Nobert chasing a Gilles-Courteau’s Trophy. 

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