SHERBROOKE, Quebec – The QMJHL’s best and brightest prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft will be on display Tuesday night in Sherbrooke as 40 players take the ice in the Q’s first Prospects Game.

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The full game will be available live and free on FloHockey’s social channels including X, YouTube and Facebook. The game will also be available as normal on FloHockey.tv, or via the FloSports app for subscribers.

The game will feature players representing Team LaFleur, named for QMJHL icon and Hockey Hall of Famer Guy LaFleur and Team Crosby, named for current NHL superstar and future Hall of Famer, Sidney Crosby. 

Many NHL scouts and team personnel are expected to be in attendance to evaluate players side-by-side for the 2026 NHL Draft.

The event comes just a day after NHL Central Scouting released its early-season watch list. Among the participants in the prospects showcase are two A-rated prospects, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada defenseman Xavier Villeneuve and Victoriaville Tigres forward Egor Shilov.

There are many more players rated as B and C prospects as well.

A-rated prospects are players viewed as having the best chance of going in the first round of the upcoming draft. Only 27 players earned that designation. B-rated prospects are those that have a good chance of going early on Day 2 of the NHL Draft, while C-rated prospects are players that are believed to have a strong likelihood of being drafted.

I am in Sherbrooke to get a look at these prospects myself. Here’s a few that I will be keeping a particularly close eye on from the press box.

Prospects To Watch At The QMJHL Prospects Game

Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

Tied for second in scoring in the QMJHL with 20 points in just 12 games, Villeneuve has seen his draft stock soar. NHL Central Scouting gave him an A rating and there was really no doubt about that one. Villeneuve is the reigning defenseman of the year in the QMJHL and only has seen his game grow year over year. He’s as skilled as there is on the back end in this year’s draft and has a chance to go very high in the first round.

A total of 55 #QMJHL players find themselves in the @NHLCentralScout's initial rankings for the 2026 #NHLDraft! 🙌

To see the list. ⤵️

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) October 20, 2025

Egor Shilov, C, Victoriaville Tigres

Among all draft-eligible players, Shilov is second only to Villeneuve in total points. He has 19 in his first QMJHL season with seven goals and 12 assists in just 10 games. The 17-year-old Russian has been able to take over shifts and has been pouring shots on the net. He has been held off the score sheet in only two of his 10 games so far this season.

Thomas Rousseau, RW, Sherbrooke Phoenix

It will be a home game for Rousseau, who will be representing the Phoenix Tuesday night. He’ll have a lot of support as a result. Rousseau is a solid forward who can handle himself at both ends of the ice. He’s averaging just shy of a point per game for Sherbrooke this season.

William Lacelle, G, Rimouski Oceanic

A top goalie for the 2026 NHL Draft, Lacelle has built off of his strong rookie season with an even better sophomore campaign. He has made nine appearances for Rimouski, earning a .920 save percentage to go along with five wins and a 2.64 goals-against average. Lacelle is putting up impressive numbers to start the season which could be a big boost for his stock if he can stay consistent all season.

Alexei Vlasov, LW, Victoriaville Tigres

Victoriaville has been impressive to start the season with its two first-year Russians leading the way. Vlasov is just one point behind teammate Shilov. He is a C-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting and that may be tied to the fact that Vlasov is a 5-foot-9 winger. He has been impressive early on with 18 points in 10 games thusfar. UPDATE: Vlasov picked up a minor injury and will no longer participate in the QMJHL Prospects Game.

Here are the players who made it onto the FloHockey Team of the Week for the period ranging from October 13 to 19!

STATS 📊: https://t.co/Um85R0O8NY#TOTW | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/iVIkWudjzQ

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) October 20, 2025

Olivers Murnieks, C, Saint John Sea Dogs

A B-rated prospect by Central Scouting, Murnieks has already played in a World Junior and is now in his first season in the QMJHL. The Latvian forward has size and strength to go along with some good offensive touch. He plays a good two-way style that scouts like, too. Murnieks has just one goal, but eight assists early in his first season with Saint John.

Cameron Chartrand, D, Saint John Sea Dogs

Picked to play for Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, Chartrand is still trying to find his game a bit in the QMJHL. He has a lot of clear tools as a right-shot defenseman, too. Having played primarily at the 16U level last year, the adjustment to junior will take some time, but there’s upside to watch for with Chartrand.

Jacoby Weiner, G, Moncton Wildcats

The American netminder hasn’t played a ton yet this season, with just three appearances in Moncton’s net so far. Weiner has the size NHL teams covet at nearly 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. He’ll get a chance to showcase himself in a tandem with Jan Larys. Both goalies are B-rated by NHL Centrals Scouting.

Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec Remparts

At nearly 6-foot-4, Dagenais is one of the biggest forwards in the game Tuesday night. He’s also coming into the contest with a B-rating from Central Scouting. Dagenais has had a strong start to his season with nine points through 11 games including three goals. This showcase could allow Dagenais the chance to show how he can use that size and strength to his advantage.

Maddox Dagenais and his smooth hands! 🤩

Another spectacular goal for the 2026 NHL Draft prospect! #2026NHLDraft @quebec_remparts pic.twitter.com/4mStImvoyc

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) October 4, 2025

Jan Larys, G, Drummondville Voltigeurs

With five wins in seven appearances, Larys has made a smooth transition to his first season in North America. The Czech netminder has a .902 save percentage. Teams are intrigued by his wiring 6-foot-3 frame and quickness. He'll get a chance to showcase himself among the other top goalies in the league, which could help Larys create some separation if he performs up to his standards.

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