Halifax Mooseheads host QMJHL draft for first time in franchise history this weekend

For the first time in franchise history, the Halifax Mooseheads are hosting the QMJHL draft.

For the first time in its 32-year history, the Halifax Mooseheads will be hosting the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) entry draft this weekend.

The 12-round draft will bring together all 18 teams in the league at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on Friday and Saturday. The draft is free to attended and it’s expected to attract 10,000 people over the weekend.

Mathieu Généreux , a 16-year-old defenceman, flew to Halifax from Montreal with his family and he’s hopeful to hear his named called during the draft.

“It’s really exciting. Ever since I was a kid it was always a goal to play in the QMJHL and to get drafted,” said Généreux .

Last year, Généreux’s older brother Charles was drafted in the fourth round.

“I don’t where I am going but I know I’ll probably get drafted,” Généreux said. “It’s a pretty good feeling and plus my brother got drafted last year so I know what I’m about to experience.”

The Mooseheads have 14 picks in the draft, including third and seventh overall picks in the first round and four second-round selections.

The franchise is excited to host the draft for the first time.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to showcase our city and showcase our fans,” said owner Peter Simon.

“We’ve taken the last two years to really build the foundation of the team. As we head into the next few years, it’s really important we take the next step as a club.”

In this year’s playoffs, the Mooseheads got knocked out of the first round after losing 4-0 to eventual Gilles-Courteau Trophy winner the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, who trounced the Moncton Wildcats 4-2 in their series.

The Saguenéens were unsuccessful in winning the Memorial Cup in Kelowna last month, with the Kitchener Rangers taking home the top prize. The Quebec Remparts were the last QMJHL team to win the Memorial Cup, snagging the trophy in 2023.

The 2026 draft for the top 18 prospects will start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The second round of the draft starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas

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