Draft Recap: QMJHL

As the 12th overall selection, Mikhail Grigorenko was the highest-drafted QMJHL player in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Grigorenko spent last year with the Quebec Remparts.

Grigorenko was the first of 19 QMJHLers selected, and the lone representative in the first round. The 18-year-old Russian center just finished his first season in the Quebec league, scoring 40 goals and 45 assists. He was later nominated as the top professional prospect to play in the QMJHL last season.

Since being drafted, Grigorenko has joined the Sabres, working out in Buffalo before joining the team for its development camp sometime in July.

At least one player from the QMJHL was drafted in each round, with four being chosen in the second, fourth and sixth rounds.

Two of Grigorenko’s teammates were also selected, as Ryan Culkin went 124th overall in the fifth round to the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators picked up Francois Brassard 166th overall.

In addition, two players from the Memorial Cup winning Shawinigan Cataractes were drafted to NHL teams.

Anton Zlobin, who scored the Cup-winning goal in overtime against the London Knights, was selected 173rd overall in the sixth round by the draft-hometown Pittsburgh Penguins. Defenseman Justin Hache was also drafted, going 208th overall in the 7th round to the Phoenix Coyotes.