A Cape Breton Screaming Eagles hockey player is expected to be a first-round draft pick in this year’s National Hockey League draft.
Pierre-Luc Dubois has been catching the eye of NHL scouts in his second year playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“I'm a power forward, I'm a big guy, I like to do everything on the ice,” says Dubois. “I like to play physical, I like to score, I like to pass.”
The 17-year-old is on pace to more than double his production after a solid rookie year; he had 30 goals and 68 points, placing 8th overall in the Q-League scoring race.
“He's got so much passion for the game, his passion level is off the charts,” says coach Marc-Andre Dumont. “He trains, he works, he practices, he plays with that passion and that's what makes him such a great player.”
Dumont says the teen’s work in the gym is second to none. Dubois put on 20 pounds of lean muscle during the offseason training in Montreal, five hours away from his home in Rimouski.
Now, all of the hard work is paying off and NHL scouts are taking notice. NHL central scouting's mid-term rankings project Dubois as a possible top-ten pick this June.
“I don't really concentrate on where I go in the draft. I mean, my goal, my dream is to have a long career in the NHL. I mean, the draft is fun but I see it as a bonus, as a process,” says Dubois.
Dubois says his favourite NHL team is the Philadelphia Flyers, but says no matter who picks him he plans to make it worth their while.
“I think I can definitely be a top six forward. I like the play of Jamie Benn of the Stars. He plays a complete game, power forward and that's what I think I can do,” says Dubois.
“He will be playing in the NHL and with the type of commitment and passion he's got, he'll be playing for a long, long time,” says Dumont.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald
