Drafted in the ‘Q’
Five Cape Breton players selected at 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft
SYDNEY, N.S. — Like many, Ryan Hayes and his family were glued to their computers and cellphones during the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft on Saturday.
In a normal year, the league's entry draft would be held in-person, however, for the second-straight year the event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the rounds went on, Hayes watched closely, but when it came time for his name to appear on the screen, he almost missed it.
“At one point we all looked away from the screen for a second and when we turned back there was my name,” said Hayes. “We had been upstairs watching the draft all day — my agent had been calling keeping me posted — but it was funny how easy it could have been to miss the pick.
The six-foot-one, 171-pound defenceman had been taken by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the eighth round, No. 146 overall.
“It was honestly a surreal moment,” said Hayes. “It was a childhood dream come true. I’ve always dreamed of playing in the QMJHL and when my name finally came up, it was definitely surreal.”
The Port Hawkesbury product appeared in 29 games during his rookie season with the Cape Breton West Islanders, posting three goals and six points with 34 penalty minutes.
Hayes considers himself to be a shutdown defenceman and will bring physicality to the Titan blueline, if in fact he makes the team.
“I’m good in my defensive zone, I make a good first pass and I like to play the body,” said Hayes. “I’m simply an old school defenceman.”
The 16-year-old Hayes is already looking forward to the Titan’s training camp in August and feels ready to make the move to major junior.
“I’m going to prepare myself even more over the summer to be ready to earn a spot on the team,” said Hayes. “I can’t wait to get things started with the team.”
CHRISTMAS IN JUNE
Hayes won’t be the only Cape Breton-born player joining the Titan organization for training camp.
Sydney Mitsubishi Rush forward Alexander Christmas was selected by AcadieBathurst in the ninth round, No. 160 overall.
“We were watching on the screen and to see my name come up was an unbelievable feeling,” said Christmas. “There were so many emotions that went through my head — my mother and I got a little emotional, I think I hugged her for 10 minutes.”
The Membertou product wrapped up his rookie season with the Rush, posting nine goals and 22 points in 26 games. He also added a goal and four points in four playoff games.
Christmas, a first cousin to former Halifax Moosehead Sonny Kabatay of Membertou, said work begins tomorrow
preparing for his first camp later this summer.
“I’m going to try to bulk up with a little bit more muscle,” said the five-foot-11, 174pound Christmas. “I’m going to try to go to camp better than ever and attempt to crack a roster spot next season.”
STAYING HOME
Meanwhile, Christmas’ teammate Preston Pattengale won’t have to leave the comfort of Cape Breton Island for his first major junior training camp.
The Sydney River defenceman was selected by the hometown Cape Breton Eagles in the 10th round, No. 167 overall.
“It’s amazing to have a chance to play at home,” said Pattengale. “I know my family was definitely pumped — I don’t know if my mother would be able to handle me going away, so she was very happy.”
The six-foot, 179-pound
Pattengale, who recorded three goals and 20 points in 29 games last year, recalls the moment he realized the Eagles had taken him with the pick.
“It was cool because we were all sitting on our phones watching the draft and it loaded on my phone before my family, so I showed it to my girlfriend and she started jumping,” laughed Pattengale, who turned 17 years old Sunday.
“My mother didn’t even know what was going on, but she started crying. It was a really fun moment and something I’ll always remember.”
Like Hayes and Christmas, Pattengale will attend training camp with a positive attitude and ready to earn a spot on the team.
“I feel like I have to make an impact at camp right away,” said Pattengale. “I don’t really have that option of going in as a 16-year-old and having time, so I have to be ready to perform.”
OTHER CAPERS TO THE ‘Q’
Two other Cape Breton prospects were also drafted on Saturday.
Cape Breton West forward Kevin Walker of Inverness was taken in the ninth round, No. 165 overall, by the Charlottetown Islanders. The 16-year-old had seven goals and 10 points in 29 games last season.
Meanwhile, Sydney defenceman Tyson LeFrense of Sydney Mines was the final Cape Breton player picked in the draft. He was selected by Cape Breton in the 13th round, No. 221 overall. He had eight assists in 29 games in 2020-21.
Other Cape Breton West players selected were Antigonish defenceman Leyton Stewart (Quebec), Antigonish goaltender Jack Milner (Halifax), and North Grant defenceman Ray MacKinnon (Blainville-Boisbriand).