GRAND FALLS, New Brunswick – The Edmundston Blizzard loaded up on talented young players at the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) draft held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the E. & P. Sénéchal Center in Grand Falls, where the host team, the Rapids, took the opportunity to unveil their new colors.
The Blizzard selected a total of 11 players: seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalkeeper. One of these three selections, forward Alexandre Deschênes, had already been announced earlier this week at the territorial draft, which always takes place before the MHL busy weekend.
General manager Steve MacPherson and head coach Michael Ward had the privilege of taking the microphone four times in the first two rounds.
Dimitri Bélanger, who turns 16 next month, was the Blizzard’s first choice and 9th overall. Last season, the 5’11” Moncton forward was with the Moncton Flyers, with whom he amassed 4 goals and 12 assists in 37 games. Three picks later, the Blizzard concluded the first round by choosing 16-year-old Fredericton native Brayden Waterhouse. In 32 games with the Fredericton Caps last year, he collected 3 goals and 9 assists.
In the second round, the Blizzard had the 17th and 18th selections. They opted for Dieppe defenseman Xavier Cormier, who will turn 17 in December. In 28 games last season with Bishop’s College School, he tallied 10 goals and 21 assists. Seconds later, it was Adam Byrne’s turn to be selected by the Edmundston team. A forward from Gander, Newfoundland, Byrne finished first in the Newfoundland Midget AAA Hockey League with an impressive 25 goals and 22 assists for 47 points in 32 games, while racking up 4 goals and 5 assists in 9 playoff games with the Central Impact.
In the fourth round, the Blizzard drafted giant 6’6″ defenseman Jacob Veilleux, who last weekend was selected in the third round by the Newfoundland Regiment of the QMJHL. A native of Moncton, Veilleux registered 4 goals and 11 assists in 36 games last season with the Moncton Flyers.
The Blizzard’s other picks are Dace Gruchy of St. John’s, Newfoundland (6th round, 68th overall), Justyce Johnson (6th round, 70th overall), Gabriel Melanson (7th round, 75th overall), Parker Travis (9th round, 108th overall), and London Oppong (10th round, 120th overall).
Blizzard general manager Steve MacPherson was very pleased with his team’s selections. “What I’m most pleased with is the variety of choices we’ve made,” he said. “We have a nice mix of forwards, defensemen and a goalie. What’s more, we’ve got some big players, which we weren’t able to do in the last few drafts. “
MacPherson also good things to say about his very first choice. “I know Dimitri (Bélanger) well because he plays with the Moncton Flyers, a team I’m familiar with. Dimitri is a physically imposing forward who skates well. He’ll be a good player for us in the future. “
As for Brayden Waterhouse, the GM sees similarities with Bélanger. “Brayden is also a youngster who likes to play physical and finish his checks. “
Blizzard management pulled off a tour de force at the draft, getting four draft picks for a team that had just won the playoff championship. This advantageous positioning was made possible by previous transactions. Interestingly, no trades were made on Saturday, certainly one of the few times in an MHL draft. All players drafted by the Blizzard today will be invited to take part in the team’s training camp in August.
The very first pick of the MHL was Ethan Jones, a forward from Paradise, Newfoundland. He was claimed by the Valley Wildcats.
– 30 –
Photo
Dimitri Bélanger, from Moncton, was the Blizzard’s first draft pick on Saturday in Grand Falls. Photo courtesy
– 30 –
Source: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone