A Remarkable 2026 Draft Class Emerging from the LHJMQ Ranks
There’s been a lot of buzz lately around the LHJMQ, and honestly, it’s the kind of talk that hockey fans love to hear. When the league’s Central Scouting Service released its very first draft list for the 2026 season, it was always going to spark debate and excitement. But in Mauricie, the conversation quickly turned into something bigger, because what’s shaping up there looks like a truly special group of young players.
Out of the 36 prospects who received the coveted “A” rating, which signals potential first-round selections, four of them are skating with the M18 AAA Estacades of Trois-Rivières. That alone says a lot. Those four forwards are Émile Guévin, Logan Leclair, Mavrick Ouellette, and Jakob Royer, a name that many scouts have had circled for quite some time. Being identified so early doesn’t guarantee anything, of course, but it does show how highly these players are already being regarded.
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From the coaching perspective, that recognition has been welcomed with pride. It’s been said that the players are investing heavily in their development, and now, for the first time officially, they can see how they stack up against the very best in their age group. That kind of feedback can be motivating, but it also brings pressure, something young athletes must learn to handle early in their careers.
And the list doesn’t stop there. A 15-year-old defenseman, Zachary Lavoie, has also been turning heads with a strong first half of the season, quietly proving that this talent pool goes beyond just the headline names. What stands out most is that these players aren’t carbon copies of one another. Each brings a different identity to the ice, whether it’s creativity, physical presence, grit, or all-around versatility.
Managing expectations is a big part of the journey now. These teenagers are already being analyzed, rated, and projected, sometimes daily. They’re learning how to deal with both external pressure and the pressure they place on themselves. It’s been emphasized that growth doesn’t come only from success, but also from the tougher moments, when things don’t go as planned.
There’s also movement within the organization that adds to the intrigue. Young forward Alexis Turcotte has earned a promotion to the M18 AAA lineup after dominating at a lower level, and he’s now another regional prospect worth watching closely. His opportunity comes as others move up, showing that the development ladder is very much alive.
All signs point to this being a defining stretch for these players. If development continues the right way, the 2026 LHJMQ draft could be remembered as one where this region truly made its mark.
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