In the ongoing, sometimes quietly intense, competition for North America`s top young hockey talent, one significant prospect has cast his vote: the Canadian Hockey League, specifically the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). St. Louis Blues first-round pick, Justin Carbonneau, selected 19th overall in this year`s NHL Entry Draft, has indicated his intention to return to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada should he not make the jump directly to the National Hockey League roster this fall. This decision comes after reportedly weighing the option of playing NCAA hockey with Boston College.
Carbonneau`s choice is noteworthy in the current landscape. The past year has seen a notable uptick in Canadian Hockey League players committing to NCAA programs, a trend facilitated by a recent rule change by the U.S. college sports governing body last November, which made many CHL players eligible for collegiate play. This has led to what some might call a minor exodus, with over 150 players from the past CHL season reportedly committing to NCAA teams for the upcoming campaign, albeit many being players who had aged out of junior eligibility. The defection of high-profile future prospects, such as the projected 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna from the WHL`s Medicine Hat Tigers to Penn State, has particularly highlighted this shifting dynamic.
For Carbonneau, the decision was presented as a matter of evaluating two quality development paths. “Boston College is a great option for me to develop with older guys, or in Blainville,” he commented post-draft, acknowledging the need for consultation with the St. Louis organization before finalizing his plans. The announcement from the Armada confirms the outcome of those discussions, positioning the QMJHL team as his destination if the NHL isn`t the immediate next step.
Carbonneau is coming off a highly productive season with the Armada, where he finished second in QMJHL scoring. His offensive output of 89 points, including 46 goals and 43 assists, in 62 games demonstrated his high-end skill and potential, capabilities the Blues are eager to see develop further, whether in the NHL or back in junior.
While Carbonneau leans toward a potential QMJHL return, the focus remains on the development paths chosen by other top CHL talents drafted this year. Players like the first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders), second-overall Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks), fourth-overall Caleb Desnoyers (Utah Mammoth), and sixth-overall Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers) have yet to make their commitments public, adding further intrigue to how the top tier of prospects will navigate the CHL vs. NCAA decision points this summer. It is important to remember that signing an entry-level contract with an NHL team renders a player ineligible for NCAA hockey, making the CHL the default option outside the professional ranks.
Carbonneau`s decision provides a significant retention win for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and the QMJHL, reinforcing the league`s standing as a premier development route for players bound for the NHL, even as the NCAA continues to gain traction as an alternative. His potential return keeps elite talent within the junior system for another season, offering fans in the QMJHL the chance to see a first-round NHL pick hone his skills before making the jump to professional hockey.
