It’s all the time good to be within the current in relation to hockey, particularly in the event you’re a Carolina Hurricanes fan. The staff is 10-2-0 and on an eight-game profitable streak, Martin Necas is on a supernova begin to his 2024-25 marketing campaign, and the staff doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Sure, all of that’s nice however it is usually good to sit up for the longer term as effectively. Extra importantly, that is much more prevalent when there’s a prospect that ought to make followers glad to look at in a Hurricanes jersey within the close to future.
Some will assume that is going to be about Bradly Nadeau, Felix Unger-Sorum, and even Alexander Nikishin. Nevertheless, it’s neither of these gamers. We can be taking a visit out to the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and checking in with Drakkar de Baie-Comeau‘s ahead Justin Poirier.
Justin Poirier is Unstoppable
Poirier was named the QMJHL Participant of the Week for Nov. 4 after taking up the league lead in objectives (17) and factors (30). 16 video games into the 2024-25 QMJHL season, the Valleyfield, QC native has 17 objectives and 13 assists for 30 factors with a plus-14. Discuss an insane begin to the season for the 18-year-old winger. The Hurricanes’ 156th total choose within the fifth spherical of the 2024 NHL Draft is making himself seem like a steal as every recreation goes by. Poirier was chosen fourth total by Drakker within the 2022 QMJHL Draft and has not slowed down since becoming a member of the staff. In the course of the 2023-24 season, he tallied 51 objectives and 82 factors in 68 common season video games. He adopted that up with 18 objectives and 27 factors in 17 playoff video games. Elite Prospects has him projected to complete the present season with 70 objectives and 124 factors in 66 video games. He completed final season with a plus-40 through the common season and a plus-10 within the playoffs. He’s projected to complete with a plus-58 in 2024-25.
Associated: Carolina Hurricanes’ 2024 NHL Entry Draft Recap
He is without doubt one of the most prolific scorers that Carolina drafted. His draft 12 months noticed him attain some benchmarks as he grew to become the primary 17-year-old to succeed in the 50-goal mark within the QMJHL since Sidney Crosby. Plus, he grew to become the primary QMJHL skater in 10 years to steer the league in objectives through the common season and playoffs. Poirier is taken into account somebody with a tough shot who can snipe the puck at will on the web. He was ranked 82nd amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Per the Elite Prospects 2024 NHL Draft Information, “Poirier drives all around the offensive zone in the hunt for objectives, positioning himself on the far-post for backdoor performs and leaping on rebounds in entrance of the web. He instinctively is aware of when and the place a scoring probability will come up and the best way to seize all of them. He can hearth in the course of steps on the push, instantly off passes with a catch-and-release movement or with a blazing one-timer.”
Poirier was the lone Canadian taken within the 2024 NHL Entry Draft by the Hurricanes. Darren Yorke, the Hurricanes’ lead newbie scout, and his employees have been discovering gems over the previous few seasons they usually may need came across the very best one but, particularly within the fifth spherical. When requested about choosing the Quebec winger, Yorke acknowledged, “Aim-scorer. There are only a few individuals who have scored as many objectives as he had during the last two years within the CHL throughout their draft years. He was in all probability a bit of undervalued, sadly, as a result of he’s not very tall, however all he does is rating. It actually doesn’t matter the video games that he’s enjoying in opposition to larger gamers, didn’t matter. He simply scores. It’s an unbelievable shot. He’s capable of finding open area, and he doesn’t want a lot room. If you wish to watch among the objectives he scored, he’s in a position to sneak a few of these photographs in proper beneath the bar. He’s in some way capable of finding the highest nook of the web. He’s a high-end goal-scorer.”
Associated: 3 Hurricanes Prospects to Watch This Season
Yorke couldn’t have mentioned it any higher in relation to Poirier as being a deadly objective scorer. Being already over a degree per recreation in objectives alone reveals how good this child is already at 18 years outdated along with his NHL-level capturing and ending means. To be in comparison with Crosby already comes with excessive reward and expectations, however to comply with final season up with the one he’s on now, only a third of the way in which by the season, is exhibiting why the Hurricanes nailed their 156th total choose on him. Some groups missed him due to his measurement at 5-foot-8, 183 kilos, however the Canes basically mentioned “In case you don’t need him, we are going to take him,” they usually aren’t afraid to take action. Seth Jarvis isn’t identified for his measurement and is flourishing with the Hurricanes into his fourth season with the staff. If Poirier can deliver that to the staff as effectively, he may very well be one other cog that takes the staff to a different stage along with his velocity, capturing, and ending means.
Might Poirier Go Professional Subsequent Season?
Whereas Poirier is in his third season with Drakkar, there may very well be an opportunity that he may go professional subsequent season if he’s provided an entry-level contract (ELC) with the Hurricanes. It is sensible if he does resolve to go professional, particularly after having one other enormous season regardless of being solely 16 video games into 2024-25. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a shock if he finishes yet another season with the staff even when he’s 18 years outdated and the principles in relation to over-agers within the Canadian Hockey League. Both method, 2025-26 can be one to sit up for for the Quebec winger who has been making a reputation for himself this season within the QMJHL.
The hope is that he finishes the season robust, possibly a league MVP, and sees himself leap as much as the Hurricanes subsequent season or be one of many high prospects with the Chicago Wolves within the American Hockey League. Whereas there’s nonetheless a protracted technique to go, Poirier has been enjoyable to look at to this point and each Drakkar Baie-Comeau recreation is a must-watch for Hurricanes followers.
