Cape Breton Screaming Eagles forward Pierre-Luc Dubois surprised many as he was selected third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL Entry Draft Friday night.
Dubois was picked one spot ahead of highly-touted Finnish prospect Jesse Puljujarvi.
“We didn't think about the draft too much,” said Dubois. “It was a surprise this morning, but I’m really happy.”
As excitement grew in Buffalo, cheering could be heard from as far as the Sydney River.
Eric MacRae has been billeting Eagles players for nearly 20 years. His basement wall filled with pictures from players gone by, but says there's no doubt Dubois is the real deal.
“To see him picked when the top three were supposed to be a lock, Mr. Dubois walks into the third overall pick, it was just unbelievable,” said MacRae. “It goes to show you the talent that kid has when a Finn GM passed up on one of those top three.”
MacRae says Dubois could possibly be the best player ever to dawn an Eagles jersey, and there's little argument from fans of the team.
“It certainly puts the club on the map,” said Eagles fan Brent Desveaux. “We are a small market. Sometimes it's tough to get all the accolades. When you look at (Marc-Andre) Fleury and Dubois now, it's great for the organization.”
“It's awesome,” said Eagles fan Cyril MacDonald. “We watched him and we know the talent he had. You often wonder if anyone else sees it. It was pretty cool.”
Dubois still needs to crack the Blue Jackets’ roster, but fans are optimistic.
“I selfishly hope he comes back,” said MacRae. “He does have the potential of making Columbus, but I think I and everyone else in Cape Breton would like to watch him one more year.”
No matter what Dubois's future holds, Cape Bretoners had a front row seat and know the kind of talent he is on the ice.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
