Bucheler heads list of locals selected in QMJHL draft

A slew of local hockey players were selected at the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft held June 2 in Shawinigan.

Simon Bucheler, a promising goaltender with Lac St-Louis Predateurs midget espoirs, was the top local player chosen. Bucheler of St-Laurent was selected in the third round (52nd overall) by the Halifax Moosehead.

Alexandre O’Neill of the Lac St. Louis midget espoir Tigers was drafted in the fifth round (82nd overall) by the St. John Sea Dogs.

Justin Louette-Isaac, a blueliner with the LSL midget espoirs Preds, was selected by the RouynNoranda Huskies in the seventh round (120th overall).

In the eighth round, the Blainville-Boisbrand Armada chose Kevin Pavlovic, a defenceman from Île-Bizard, with the 144th overall pick. Pavlovic played last season with the LSL espoirs Tigers.

Olivier Fizet, a forward with Bishop’s College U-18 prep team, was selected by Halifax in the ninth round (160th overall). The 2001-born Fizet hails from BaieD’Urfé.