“There are authentic prides that are hard to extinguish”has already written Yves Thériaultthe Quebec writer and creator ofAgaguk.

The Montreal Canadiens go beyond the simple status of a team or company; it is a true passion for its supporters, a symbol of identity shared around the world when we talk about sports while traveling. Since 1909, the team has enlivened Montreal with each attempt at the Stanley Cup, bringing with it new heroes and unforgettable memories. Our young ice hockey fans have always dreamed of proudly wearing the blue, white and red uniform.

The Canadian and the Quebecers in the draft: Is this a justified criticism?

After examining the Canadian’s draft history, here’s what we found:

• In the last 5 yearsthe Montreal Canadiens have only drafted 5 Players from Quebec.

• In the last 10 years, 8th Quebecers were drafted by the Habs.

• Over a period of 20 yearsmentioned the Canadian 22 once the name of a Quebecer on the podium of the repechage.

We’ll let you judge whether that’s enough or not, but a worrying phenomenon is developing among these 22 players.

• Only among these 22 players 8th managed to wear the Canadiens jersey during the season. Some even wore it only for preseason games or at the start of the season.

• Of these 8 players, 6 are either attackers or defenders. Together, the Quebecers scored one goal 247 points in 724 games for the Canadian, according to Elite prospects.

To give an idea, Ryan Nugent Hopkinsa former first-round pick, often referred to as a flop, played 881 career games and collected more points since 2004 than all Quebecers from CH combined, namely 699 points.

If you need an additional example to illustrate the seriousness of the situation: Devon Toewsa 4th round pick in 2014, played 397 games and collected 234 points. There is a clear lack of performance among the Quebecers drafted by the Canadian.

Is it bad luck on the CH side?

Yes and no, because the Canadian had the chance to choose Jonathan Marchessault, Mike Matheson, Philip DanaultAnd Kris Letang However, he did not do so and was not always far enough along in the draft to select other successful players from Quebec Jonathan Huberdeau And Alexis Lafreniere.

Bad luck in the lottery or another draft philosophy: Both could be to blame.

Poor state of Quebec ice hockey: a reason for the CH’s decisions?

From year to year the situation becomes more and more difficult for them QMJHL and the generation of Quebec talent. Today, only about 59 Quebec players play on the Bettman circuit, representing 14% of the league’s players. Unfortunately, Quebec players are finding it increasingly difficult to break the NHL draft cap.

In 2024 Sacha Boisvert was the only Quebecer named in the first round, but did not finish his junior career in Quebec. 15 players from the QMJHL were selected. In 2023 it was even worse:

The QMJHL hopes to avoid the disaster of last year, when twelve players were excluded from their ranks in the seven rounds of the draft in Nashville. It was the worst year in the history of the Quebec junior circuit

Kevin DubeThe Quebec Journal

The last few years have shown this QMJHL is on the decline when it comes to producing quality prospects? Not necessarily. Four players were represented in the 2021 NHL Draft: Zachary Bolduc (St. Louis, 17th overall), Xavier Bourgault (Edmonton, 22nd overall), Zachary L’Heureux (Nashville, 27th overall) and Zachary Dean (Vegas, 30th overall), all drafted in the first round. The 2020 lottery was the draw for Lafrenière.

The fact remains that the depth of the Quebec Basin is undeniably decreasing, due to several reasons, not only the QMJHL.

The best there is or from us?

Hockey has always been a pillar of Quebec culture. Maurice Richardwho played for the Canadiens for 18 years, is a Quebec nationalist hero. He set iconic records, such as his 50 goals in 50 games in the 1944-45 season. He contributed to the CH dynasty by winning eight Stanley Cups, remains unmatched and continues to inspire hockey-loving Quebecers. He was the symbol of Francophone success at a time when Montreal was under the influence of an established English-speaking establishment.

But today, as hockey and the American, European and Ontario basins significantly outperform Quebec, this narrative becomes a dilemma for Kent Hughes and the organization of the sacred flannel. What should we prioritize in the finals: the best available or the take-home? If the best choice comes from Quebec, all the better.

Anthony DesaulniersColumnist of BPM Sportswould give priority to the best available player in all leagues combined over the best available player in the QMJHL:

But I don’t agree that a player from Quebec in the QMJHL is almost automatically drafted in the 7th round. Because in your opinion, your organization still has to put together the best player available.

– Anthony Desaulniers, BPM Sports

What philosophy should Canadians have on this question that comes up year after year?