Julien Gauthier of Val-d’Or and Pierre-Luc Dubois of Cape Breton will represent Team QMJHL at the CHL Canada-Russia Series.
The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies will host the first game of the series on Tuesday, Nov. 17, while the Halifax Mooseheads will host the second on Thursday, Nov. 19.
Gauthier, 6th, and Dubois, 8th, are the top-ranked skaters in Future Considerations’ October listing for the 2016 NHL Draft from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Both have earned their chance to showcase their skills on another level.
A native of Pointe-aux-Trembles, PQ, Gauthier has seven goals and a plus-3 rating in 10 games for the Foreurs this season, and was the only draft eligible at Canada’s World Junior National Development camp in Calgary in August.
“Gauthier plays a very simple game; doing a great job consistently making the smart play and showing solid maturity for his age. He is very physically strong and uses his size/strength effectively in puck battles and when getting off a shot. He has the frame and raw skills to develop into a real solid NHL player.”
Dubois, 17, has six goals and seven assists in 12 games with the Screaming Eagles after recording 45 points in 54 games as a rookie in 2014-15. He was a member of Canada’s gold medal entry at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial in August.
“[He] is one of the most promising 2016 eligible I’ve seen out of the Q, besides maybe Gauthier, but the race between the two is looking pretty tight,” a FC evaluator said. “He is physical, and plays the game utilizing a strong drive and his impressive frame. He supports his teammates constantly and wins most battles he engages in. He likes to drive the net and look for pucks in the greasy areas. Has some solid puck skills and offensive creativity that make you excited for what he could become at the next level.”
Halifax forward Maxime Fortier and Shawinigan defenseman Samuel Girard were also named to the game. Girard is currently ranked 29th by Future Considerations.
The six-game Canada-Russia Series starts with two games between Team Russia and Team WHL, Nov. 9 in Kelowna and Nov. 10 in Kamloops. It continues with two games between Team Russia and Team OHL, Nov. 12 in Owen Sound and Nov. 16 in Windsor.