SHERBROOKE, Que. – The inaugural QMJHL Prospects Game was played Tuesday night in front of many NHL scouts and executives, with Team Lafleur defeating Team Crosby in a thrilling contest. Team Crosby overcame a 5-2 deficit late in the third period to tie the game before Team Lafleur ultimately won in a shootout.

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The Prospects Game was an excellent opportunity for first- and second-year NHL Draft eligible players to show what they can do. A number of those players stood out and likely helped get themselves some extra looks going into the rest of the season. 

Here are some of the players that I thought had a particularly strong game.

Nikita Ovcharov, LW, Quebec Remparts

A number of Russian players stood out in the game, but Ovcharov was the one with three points in the Prospects Game and was named the best player for Team Lafleur. Ovcharov has good hands, an ability to get to the net and he played inside the dots enough to give himself better scoring chances. He has only put up four points so far in his first season in North America, but this game could be a springboard for him. He was recently listed as a W-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting, which suggests a late-round pick in the draft. That’s likely the right slotting for him.

We have a 2-2 game! This time it's Nikita Ovcharov (@quebec_remparts) who scores for Team Lafleur!#ProspectsGame | @BFLCANADA pic.twitter.com/S8N8zK3f7k

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) October 22, 2025

Nathan Lecompte, C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens

Some players played in the game like they had something to prove and Lecompte was one of them. The 5-foot-10 forward had three points and was around the puck a ton. He is a second-year draft eligible player and showed craftiness on the ice with some creativity and a strong work ethic. His skating is closer to average, which makes it harder at his size to stand out, but he made a strong case in the game. His ability to spot plays and make them was advanced among his peers.

William Lacelle, G, Rimouski Oceanic

Lacelle didn’t always look the cleanest in this game, but he left the contest without allowing a goal. The Rimouski netminder is having a very strong season, which helps his cause. Lacelle is not a giant in a position where size is valued above all it seems. He does have smarts, he’s quick and he can play composed in the net. He stopped all 15 shots he faced and was the only goalie to leave the game unblemished. I think he will make a very strong mid-round pick. 

Oleg Kulebiakan, RW, Halifax Mooseheads

In multiple viewings this season, Kulebiakin has made some really impressive plays when I’ve watched. He stood out again in this game with a three-point effort, all of which were assists. He makes plays and he aggressively attacks the net. He’s a sturdy 5-foot-11 and shows a strong willingness to get to the interior. He was a big part of the comeback effort by Team Crosby in the game.

Tommy Bleyl, D, Moncton Wildcats

Anyone that wasn’t familiar with Bleyl before will be now. He played a strong two-way game for Team Crosby and finished with a plus-1 in a game his team lost. They were better when he was on the ice. Bleyl is a high-end skater with good speed, the ability to change directions and smooth edgework. He moves pucks well and is able to keep everything in front of him. When he gets a head of steam up ice, he can be hard to slow. 

Rian Chudzinski, RW, Moncton Wildcats

Chudzinski is an energetic player who has some solid puck skills and can make some plays. His motor runs constantly and he’s always looking for ways to drive the net. He finished the Prospects Game with a goal and an assist and gave scouts some things to think about. He doesn’t wow you in any one particular way, but as he has often this season, he finds the scoresheet and makes solid offensive plays.

Korney Korneyev, RW, Victoriaville Tigres

Korneyev scored the game-tying goal for Team Crosby and left his mark on the game in a number of ways. He has a lot of talent in terms of his puck skills and ability to create. His skating is OK, but he has enough of a frame to get to the interior and make things more challenging. The Kazakh forward has had a strong start to his Q season and has a good chance to be a later Day 2 pick.

We have a 5-5 game! Korneyev (@TigresVicto) strikes with a few minutes to go! #ProspectsGame | @BFLCANADA pic.twitter.com/iQmtISLO18

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) October 22, 2025

Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec Remparts

There’s no doubt the scouts wanted Dagenais to be an impactful player and for many stretches of the game he was. In a draft light on centers, the 6-foot-3 pivot should see his stock rise some. He scored on the power play and during the shootout to help Team Lafleur pickup the win, but I still think there is a ton of potential left for Dagenais to reach. As he improves his feet and adds a bit more jam to his game, NHL teams won’t be able to stay away.

A Look At The Highest-Rated Prospects In The Game

Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (Lafleur)

Villeneuve was quiet on the score sheet, but he made a ton of plays. There was no question that his peers were trying to make things more difficult for him in the game. He took a lot of shots after the whistle and away from plays, but handled it well. He wasn't perfect as there were some poor decisions with the puck that led to giveaways and he didn't impact the game offensively as much as he normally would. All of that said, there are players that play in these games that simply look different than the rest and you can say that about Villeneuve. His skating and skill are truly high-end traits.

Egor Shilov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (Lafleur)

Shilov got an A rating from NHL Central Scouting this week, which was not terribly surprising given his position and how he has performed this year. Shilov had good flashes, showing off his high-end playmaking ability, vision and anticipation. But the knock on him is one that showed up a bit in the game. He needs to be harder to play against and more engaged in the defensive zone. His offensive skill is notable and there’s little doubt he is among the most talented players from the QMJHL in this draft class. If he can show that compete level and some battle, he’s going to be a first-round pick easily.

Olivers Murnieks, C, Saint John Sea Dogs (Crosby)

One of the top prospects coming into the game, I thought Murnieks was a little quiet, but there were flashes. He showed off some excellent skill to draw a penalty that ultimately led to a critical goal in the third period. He is physically strong, plays hard and engages physically. I’ll want to see him finish plays more decisively and consistently for his stock to rise, but the tools are there for him to be an impactful two-way forward at the NHL level.

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