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A Change of Scenery for CBJ Prospect Michael Chaput

This has been a bad week for two hockey communities- first we heard of the confirmed relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg, and then the QMJHL’s Lewiston MAINEiacs were purchased by the league, and subsequently folded.

There has been plenty of talk of the impact that the Atlanta relocation will have on Columbus, but the Lewiston situation will have a minor impact on the Jackets as well. The QMJHL will hold a dispersal draft tomorrow, where Lewiston’s players will be distributed amongst the remaining 17 teams in the league. Details haven’t been released, but it’s assumed that the draft will use reverse order of standing.

Columbus prospect Michael Chaput will be a hot commodity. I don’t mind being a homer in saying that I hope Chaput is drafted by my home-town Halifax Mooseheads. They desperately need a number one centre, and Chaput certainly fits the bill.

If the reverse-standings method is used, Halifax will pick fourth. Lewiston has a handful of players that would be of interest, including 50 goal scorer Etienne Brodeur, who will be an overager next season. They also have blueliner Dillon Fournier, who was the first overall pick in the QMJHL draft in 2010. Samuel Carrier will be highly sought after as well, he is an all around defenseman with offensive flair.

My hope is that Fournier, Carrier and Brodeur go 1-2-3, leaving Chaput available to Halifax. Regardless, Chaput will have a new address next season.

I’ll do a followup after the dispersal draft concludes.