International Scouting Service has pegged defenceman Jeremie Fraser as the top prospect for the QMJHL draft in its latest monthly ranking.
Fraser, who will draw interest from the Halifax Mooseheads when the club picks either first or second overall in June’s draft, had six goals and 14 assists for 20 points along with 115 penalty minutes in 34 games with Gatineau in the Quebec midget AAA ranks.
“He’s a stud,” said ISS scout Chris Mooring of the six-foot-one 198-pounder. “He’s an offensive defenceman and he could be a game-breaker.”
Fraser edged out forward Louick Marcotte for the top spot on the March list, ISS’s second-to-last ranking of the season. Marcotte, a six-foot, 167-pound right winger, was 15th in scoring in the Quebec midget AAA ranks with 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points in 42 games.
The Mooseheads, who need scoring, could look to the dynamic Marcotte, among others, to provide it.
“He’s probably the most offensively skilled forward in the draft with the skating, size and everything he’s got going for him,” Mooring said. “He’s a goal-scorer, too.”
Marcotte’s ISS ranking has risen since Christmas because of improved consistency, a knock on him earlier in the season.
Dominic Poulin, a two-way defenceman, is ranked third; Taylor Burke, a big, two-way forward from Halifax, is fourth; and Stephane Matteau, a forward, is fifth.
ISS will release its final ranking in May.
A coin flip on April 1 will determine whether the Mooseheads or Baie-Comeau Drakkar will draft No. 1 in Drummondville, Que., in June.
