Blockbuster moments before draft day saw the first overall pick swapped

The QMJHL draft kicked off with a significant trade that set the tone for the evening, marking a memorable start to the event. The Cape Breton Eagles and the Quebec Remparts made headlines with a major transaction involving the 1st overall pick.

In a strategic move, the Eagles traded their coveted top pick to the Remparts. In exchange, Cape Breton received a promising young talent, '07-born goalie Louca Connolly, alongside the 2024 fourth overall pick, a 2024 second-rounder, and a first-round pick for 2026. This exchange reflects the teams' strategic approaches to building their future rosters.

Following the transaction, the Quebec Remparts used the 1st overall pick to select Maddox Degenais, a standout player from the OMHA U16 AAA division. Maddox, son of a former NHL player who spent seasons with the Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, and New Jersey Devils, has shown tremendous potential in his young career.

At just 16 years old, Dagenais dominated the OMHA U16 AAA division, amassing 81 points (42 G, 39 A) in 35 games for the Quinte Red Devils. His addition to the Remparts, the reigning Memorial Cup and QMJHL champions, is anticipated to bolster their lineup significantly as they aim to defend their title in the coming season.

This early trade and the drafting of Dagenais highlight the teams' strategic plays and set a thrilling precedent for the rest of the QMJHL draft events.