SYDNEY, N.S. – The Cape Breton Eagles have been open to trading the first overall pick at this year’s Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Entry Draft since the day they received it.
On Tuesday, Couturier admitted the team was in “serious discussions” about trading the first overall pick but wouldn’t indicate the teams involved or if the report was accurate. "It could be Quebec,” laughed Couturier. “Different teams have called. We’ll see where it goes, but we would like to stay in the top five if it’s possible, but that doesn’t mean that we will.”“Nothing has been done yet, there’s discussion up in the air, but I’m confident that we can get something done and hopefully it will be for the best,” he said.
Beating the odds: Cape Breton Eagles win QMJHL Draft Lottery, pick first overall for fourth time in franchise history in June “We want to start the season on the right foot, we want to put something decent on the ice from day one – we understand it’s not going to be the final product on the ice,” said Couturier.
Maddox Dagenais of the Quinte Red Devils under-16 ‘AAA’ program was ranked first overall by the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Central Scouting. He’s the son of former NHLer Pierre Dagenais. The Cape Breton Eagles currently hold the first overall pick in the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft. CONTRIBUTED/ONTARIO MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION INSTAGRAM - ONTARIO MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION INSTAGRAMForwards Maddox Dagenais of Quebec and Tynan Lawrence of New Brunswick are ranked No.
Meanwhile, the 15-year-old Lawrence suited up for Shattuck St. Mary’s under-16 ‘AAA’ program in Minnesota and had 22 goals and 49 points in 50 games. “For now, because the negotiations are going on, I’ll see where it goes and from there we’ll sit down with whoever we think we’re going to pick and go from there.”