It was such a surprise that I didn't even have him (or Finn Sears, Sam Pandolfo and Jake Boguniecki) on my '09 forwards to watch for the QMJHL Draft list. No way anyone takes Carter Meyer, who is clearly U.S. National Team Development Program-bound, early, right? Wrong. With the 17th and second-to-last pick of the first...
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No way anyone takes Carter Meyer, who is clearly U.S. National Team Development Program-bound, early, right?
Wrong. With the 17th and second-to-last pick of the first round, the Québec Remparts selected Meyer, marking their third selection of the first round.
Meyer is arguably the top '09 in the United States. As a freshman, he led New England prep hockey in goals (41) and was second in points (70) this winter. He was the top player at the U.S. NTDP Evaluation Camp in March and was a lock to make the team.
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He's committed to Plymouth, Mich., next season — and this doesn't change that.
However, Québec is clearly swinging for the fences here. While Meyer is going to the NTDP for his U17 season, the Remparts could be hoping his first year doesn't go so well and try to lure him north of the border. They could also try to make a play for him after his time is up at the NTDP in the spring of 2027.
The Remparts also picked BK Selects forward James Scantlebury with the ninth pick in the first round. Scantlebury tendered with the USHL's Chicago Steel in late April.
For Québec, it's likely banking on things not going according to plan for Meyer or Scantlebury at their next-season destinations.
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At the time of writing this, Day 2 of the QMJHL Draft (Rounds 2-12) is about to begin. It will be fascinating to see if and when Sears, Pandolfo and Boguniecki go.
Does Québec also take Sears and Pandolfo since the trio have been inseparable on the ice for so many years?
Nevertheless, Meyer was the first local taken off the board in this draft. It just came a bit earlier than expected.
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