Voltiguers may be years away from contention

The Saint John Sea Dogs are expected to dominate from beginning to end this QMJHL season with help of exceptional player and first overall pick Joseph Veleno.

The Drummondville Voltiguers have the unfortunate distinction of being one of only two teams to miss the playoffs last season and there’s a real chance they’ll once again finish near the bottom of the league this season. To add insult to injury, the pick the Saint John Sea Dogs used to select exceptional status player Joseph Veleno first overall at the Q draft in June originally belonged to Drummondville.

Prediction

Sixth in the West Division. It could take a few seasons for Drummondville to rebuild.

Forwards

One of the rare bright spots for Drummondville last season was Joey Ratelle’s 33-goal, 52-point season. He’ll join the team later on in the month after an invite to San Jose Sharks training camp. Another pleasant surprise came in the form of hidden gem Alex Barré-Boulet. The sixth-round pick had 23 goals as a rookie and started off this season with a hat-trick in his first game.

With the 4th pick of the CHL Import draft, Drummondville picked Russian Kristian Afanasyev. The six-foot-two, 183-pound forward was born in Mexico City, grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia, then moved to Michigan last season to play midget. Now he arrives in Canada where his speed, size and skill should improve the Voltigeurs forwards group.

Defence In his second year of draft eligibility, the Colorado Avalanche took a flyer on Russian defender Sergei Boikov in the sixth round. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound d-man has limited offensive upside, but is a good defender. With 155 career penalty minutes he’s a tough customer who keeps the puck out of his own end. Drummondville sent a 2017 second-round pick to Rouyn-Noranda for 20-year-old Justin Guénette. He’s scored three goals in each of the past three seasons and had a career-best 37 points last season.

Goaltending Nicolas Lachance, a twelfth-round pick by the Gatineau Olympiques in 2012, made his QMJHL debut last season appearing in 24 games for the Olympiques, but never settled into a number one role. He shares the crease with Anthony Dumont-Bouchard, Drummondville’s seventh-round pick in 2013. He only appeared in three games last season. It’s hard to see this tandem stealing many games for Drummondville this season.

NHL prospect watch Sergei Boikov, D, Colorado Avalanche (2015, 161st overall) After going ignored in the 2014 NHL draft, Boikov landed with the Colorado Avalanche this June. His plus-11 on a terrible team last season is an indication of his defensive prowess. He keeps opponents honest with a physical style of play.

NHL draft watch

Mathieu Sévigny, LW

Mathieu Sévigny made the team as a rookie last season after being selected 17th overall. He finished the season with 11 goals and 62 points. He’s draft eligible this season but the 6-foot-1, 172-pound winger needs to step up his game to grab the attention of scouts.

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