The 2027 NHL Draft feels far away, but it’s not quite as far as you think. With the recent World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, one of the big early indicators of players to watch for the more distant drafts has now been completed and a number of names have already emerged.

One name, however, has stood above the pack. It’s one that NHL fans better get familiar with, and soon. That name? Alexis Joseph.

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Selected first overall in the most recent QMJHL draft by the Saint John Sea Dogs, Joseph is a 6-foot-5 center with skill, hockey sense and a game far more mature than his age would suggest. The 16-year-old has been impressing as a rookie with Saint John all season, but took center stage at the World Under-17 Challenge last week in Truro, Nova Scotia.

In five games with Canada Red, Joseph produced 11 points, good for second in the tournament and tops among all Canadian players. Canada Red defeated Canada White in the championship game after dispatching a strong Czech side in the semifinals. He was named to the tournament all-star team and generated more than a little bit of buzz.

With a World U17 title to his name, Joseph can set his sights back on his rookie campaign with the Sea Dogs while building a case that he should be considered among the candidates to go No. 1 in 2027. 

That mantle currently belongs to Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont, who was the first defenseman to earn exceptional status to join the WHL a year early. DuPont is less than a month older than Joseph and already has a full year of major junior under his belt, but objects in the rearview mirror may be closer than they appear.

Joseph has 10 points through his first 12 QMJHL games to start the season. He has made a smooth transition from U18 hockey, which he played for Collège Esther-Blondin at ages 14 and 15. Over two U18 seasons among the younger players in the circuit, Joseph had 109 points in 81 games including 48 goals.

He was the consensus No. 1 player for the Q draft and has done little to dissuade anyone that the status that comes with that was deserved. His first QMJHL goal came early in the season, and was quickly followed by two more for his first career hat trick against the Halifax Mooseheads. 

Though Joseph has not outright dominated in the Q at 16 years old yet, his physical profile as well as where his game is trending has made everyone take notice. Because of his mix of high-end skill and massive frame, Joseph is drawing comparisons to Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin, who has had a Hall of Fame career.

The 6-foot-5, 200-plus-pound center who could potentially be a 100-point player in the NHL is a unicorn prospect. At the early touchpoints of his career, Joseph is starting to resemble that kind of player.

There is still a lot of time and plenty of development ahead. There are many, many benchmarks yet for Joseph to hit as he climbs the ladder within the QMJHL and later in the NHL.

The excitement surrounding the player in the scouting community is palpable, however. And while there are many eyes on what is happening for the 2026 NHL Draft, players like Joseph are making it harder not to start thinking about 2027 more frequently.

You can watch Alexis Joseph and the Saint John Sea Dogs all season long, including later this week against the Quèbec Remparts right here on FloHockey.

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