This article is one of two today (other is HERE) that kick off a series of articles that will run during the week leading up to the 2017 NHL Draft. The series will feature ‘from the rink’ insight from scouts and writers who track the players during the season. Please bookmark our “Carolina Hurricanes 2017 NHL Draft Central” where you can find up to date clickable links for all of our draft coverage.

About the Scout/Writer

Mike Barrett (Twitter=@MikeBarrett_) is from Montreal and is the Director of Scouting & Family Advisor for Pacific4Sports Management, NHL Draft Scout (QMJHL) for Future Considerations, and Senior Writer for Dobber Prospects. Mike also provides youth hockey news on his Facebook page.

Scouting the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Hurricanes 2017 NHL Draft

Canes and Coffee: Is there a possible QMJHL prospect who could be in the mix for the Carolina Hurricanes with the #12overall selection?

Mike Barrett: At 12^th overall there’s definitely no QMJHL player to be taken, as Nico Hischer is a top-two pick and Maxime Comtois should be closer to the end of the first-round. A talented Scandinavian could be the pick at #12, as Elias Pettersson, Lias Andersson, Eeli Tolvanen or Juuso Valimaki are all viable candidates to join the Hurricanes stable of prospects.

Canes and Coffee: Which couple QMJHL players do you like in the second round which is currently scheduled to be a busy one for the Hurricanes who currently have three selections?

Mike Barrett: Offense,Offense, Offense! Pierre-Olivier Joseph is a defenseman on the rise. The athletic younger brother of Mathieu  (Tampa Bay) ascended to become arguably the top D-man in the Q at just 17 years of age. He’s a great skater, reads the play well and has nice length for his height. Antoine Morand; a diminutive playmaking center, has star offensive potential. Ivan Chekovich; a Russian goal scorer who was the third overall pick in the CHL Import Draft had a strong season followed by finishing third in scoring at the recent U18s.

Canes and Coffee: Which couple QMJHL players do you like in the third round where the Hurricanes currently have two picks?

Mike Barrett: Joel Teasdale and Pavel Koltygin are third round options. Both are versatile forwards with offensive instincts who already play pro style games. They may not have the highest ceilings, but they both have NHL written all over them.

Canes and Coffee: Which 3-5 QMJHL players do you really like who might be available in middle to later rounds (rounds 4-7) of the 2017 NHL draft?

Mike Barrett: Both Teasdale and Koltygin could slide to the fourth round. No frills defenseman Antoine Crete-Belizle had an injury-plagued season, but remains a coveted pro prospect. Jocktan Chainey is another blueliner who could compliment Carolina’s group of forwards. Chainey is a reliable defender who can move the puck and support the attack as well. He’s put forth a good body of work on all levels over the past 12 months, and has positioned himself well going into this draft.  Goaltender Dereck Baribeau could follow in the footsteps of Callum Booth as another Quebec Remparts goalie selected by the Hurricanes. Baribeau is a bit of a project but he does have starting potential. Ivan Korosenkov was my favourite prospect to watch this season from the QMJHL. The 19-year-old was skipped over in last year’s draft, but really impressed me this year with his continued growth as a high motor player. He dangles a lot, but was also on the ice to kill big penalties and close games out more frequently as the season rolled on. Korosenkov is as flashy as they come, but he does have the talent to make those around him better.

Canes and Coffee extends a huge thank you to Mike Barrett for generously sharing his ‘from the rink’ insight on Quebec Major Junior Hockey League prospects who could be part of the Carolina Hurricanes 2017 draft class!