25 local ’07-09 forwards to watch for 2026 QMJHL Draft

We've looked at the top '10 forwards and defenders for the 2026 QMJHL Draft. Now, it's time to shift our focus to the older players.

The QMJHL Draft differs from the USHL Drafts. In the USHL, Phase 1 is for first-year eligible players, while Phase 2 is for everyone else. The QMJHL does it all in one draft.

Every team's goals are different when drafting older players. For some teams, it's about getting the absolute best second-year eligible players who can make the jump and be with that team the longest. For others, it's about getting older players who can come in and make an immediate impact, even if it's only for one season.

So, the rankings for '07s, '08s and '09s are even more subjective than the '10s.

As was the case in my stories on the '10s, I'm approaching this as if I were the general manager of the New England Hockey Journal Minutemen. I need to fill my team with the best '09s, '08s and '07s. I'll also only be ranking New England natives and those who played in the region this winter.

Thirty-seven New Englanders were picked last season. Of the 37, 16 (43.24 percent) were not first-year eligible players. Fourteen of the 16 were '08s (second-year eligible players). So, I let that guide my rankings.

The two oldest players taken were '06 Niko Tournas (Redding, Conn.) to the Moncton Wildcats and '07 Everett Baldwin (Providence, R.I.) to the Saint John Sea Dogs. Tournas put up 43 goals and 74 points in 64 games, while Baldwin had 15 goals and 44 points in 62 games from the point.

This season, if '07s and '08s are going to be picked, they're going to be projected as players who will have similar impacts in the QMJHL.

Someone who would have that kind of impact is Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Justin Graf (Lincoln, Mass.). He's on the QMJHL's final central scouting list for the draft. He's slated to begin at Harvard next season, so he's not on my list. But if he weren't intent on beginning at Harvard this fall, he'd be near (or at) the top of my rankings.

These forwards were selected from the QMJHL's final central scouting list that came out in early May. A separate story will be done on defensemen and goalies.

Let's dive in.

1. Ethan Gingeleskie

Avon Old Farms, 6/2/2009, F, right shot, 5-11/165
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
USHL Phase 1 Draft: Round 10, Cedar Rapids (2025) 

While injuries plagued parts of Gingeleskie's winter, he was still huge for Avon Old Farms, helping the Winged Beavers to an Elite 8 championship with 11 goals and 18 points in 14 games. He's a dynamic offensive presence who is a great skater, has no issue getting to high-danger areas and has a wicked shot. He could easily benefit from another prep season, but I could also see him making an impact in the QMJHL next season.

2. Colton Cleaves

Brunswick, 8/31/2009, F, left shot, 5-10/150
Hometown: Riverside, Conn.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Cleaves' stock rose quite a bit throughout this past season. It started last summer when he notched a goal and six points at USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp. He had a strong fall for Mid Fairfield's 16U team before putting up a solid season for Brunswick with eight goals and 20 points in 32 games. He's a highly skilled left wing who has tremendous poise with the puck. He has high-end upside as a playmaker. He carries high value because no USHL team has his rights.

3. Jackson Smail

Winchendon, 5/31/2008, F, right shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: Milton, Vt.
NCAA: Vermont
USHL Phase 2 Draft: Round 7, Madison Capitols (2026) 

If a QMJHL team is looking for a player to come in and immediately pack a punch, Smail looks like that guy. He tallied 30 goals and 62 points in 34 games for high-flying Winchendon. His best asset is his shot, which he gets off quickly and accurately. With a playmaking center, Smail will be at his best. He just graduated from Winchendon, so the next step is junior hockey — it just comes down to where. As a QMJHL general manager, I'm taking him high.

4. Billy MacAusland

Nobles, 8/4/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.
NCAA: Brown
USHL Phase 2 Draft: Round 15, Muskegon Lumerbacks (2026) 

Word on the street is that MacAusland will likely play for Muskegon next season, which will likely be a great spot for him. He had a fantastic senior year for Nobles with 21 goals and 45 points in 26 games. His game is all about high compete, energy and skill, and he's always been a favorite of mine. As a QMJHL general manager, I would look to select him high because if he were to choose the QMJHL, he'd make an immediate impact.

5. Chase Warsofsky

Cushing, 6/19/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/160
Hometown: Northboro, Mass.
USHL Phase 1 Draft: Round 8, Omaha Lancers (2025) 

All signs are pointing to a big senior year at Cushing for Warsofsky next season. He put up eight goals and 23 points in 31 games as a center this past winter. He's a speedy, skilled center with intelligence. He should be on the verge of popping offensively, and his game projects really well in the QMJHL. Even if he's not coming until 2027-28, there's still value and potential with Warsofsky.

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6. Tommy Wilkinson

Thayer, 9/8/2008, F, right shot, 6-1/172
Hometown: Duxbury, Mass.
NCAA: Northeastern
USHL Phase 2 Draft: Round 3, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (2026) 

Wilkinson had a strong junior season with 17 goals and 33 points for Thayer this winter. He's an interesting case in which he could benefit from going back to prep for a senior season, but he also could step right into the QMJHL and make a scoring impact. He's highly skilled and has great hands. His creativity levels are high, which allows him to generate offense in multiple ways.

7. Blake Cash

Cushing, 5/9/2008, F, left shot, 5-11/165
Hometown: Hampton Falls, N.H.
NCAA: UNH
USHL Phase 2 Draft: Round 18, Youngstown Phantoms (2025) 

I've always really liked Cash's game. The UNH commit is all about speed and seemed to get more and more comfortable in prep this past season. His ability to put defenders on their heels and drive offense with a north-south game should lead to offense in junior hockey. As a QMJHL general manager, I'd love him in my middle six.

8. Cade Noonan

St. Sebastian's, 8/21/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/181
Hometown: Needham, Mass.
USHL Phase 2 Draft: Round 4, Sioux City Musketeers (2026) 

Noonan is the kind of player you want on your side of the fight. While his skating is an area to improve, he's physical, has a nose for the net and is never short on compete. He broke out for 16 goals and 26 points for St. Sebastian's this past winter. If I were to draft him, I'd likely advise him to go back to prep to develop for one more season. But his game should translate well to juniors.

9. Grady Rowley

Mount St. Charles, 7/21/2009, F, left shot, 5-10/174
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Rowley creates offense with his speed. He's shifty and has great hands, too. He stepped into a much bigger role with Mount's 16U team this winter, notching 21 goals and 60 points in 49 games. He hasn't been drafted in the USHL, so there is value for a QMJHL team.

10. Ethan Travis

Tabor, 4/22/2008, F, left shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Narragansett, R.I.
NCAA: Sacred Heart
USHL Phase 2 Draft: Round 8, Sioux Falls Stampede (2025) 

Travis had a big sophomore season at Tabor with 19 goals and 39 points in 26 games. While he took a small step back in production with 27 points in 27 games this season, he's still an offensive force on the wing. While he's an '08 and probably better off going back to Tabor for his senior year, he could just as easily make an impact for a QMJHL team next season.

11. Jack Funk

Thayer, 3/12/2009, F, left shot, 5-7/150
Hometown: Duxbury, Mass.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Thayer had a slew of big names this past season. The Tigers' leading goal-scorer: Funk. He's an electric offensive player who brings a high level of compete and an ability to beat defenders to second chances around the net. I'm not sure what exactly he will end up being at higher levels, and at least one more year of prep would be best. But he has potential QMJHL fan-favorite written all over him.

12. Keith Olympia

St. Mark's, 8/25/2009, F, right shot, 5-9/157
Hometown: Sudbury, Mass.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Olympia broke out with nine goals and 35 points in 30 games for St. Mark's. He's a smooth-skating, playmaking winger whose offensive game could lend itself to QMJHL success down the road. He should be a top scorer for St. Mark's next winter.

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13. Brayden White

Williston Northampton, 2/16/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/172
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.
USHL Phase 2 Draft: Round 10, Muskegon Lumberjacks (2026) 

This past winter, White turned in a fantastic sophomore season for Williston with 11 goals and 30 points in 26 games. He's highly skilled and has great size, which makes him an intriguing potential QMJHL player.

14. Tommy Moore

Dexter Southfield, 10/20/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/175
Hometown: Milton, Mass.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

As a sophomore, Moore scored seven times and posted 18 points in 30 games for a stacked Dexter team. He should step into a top-six role next season and produce, which also makes him a breakout candidate. He had a strong Mass. Hockey festival, earning a coveted spot at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp this summer.

15. Devin Cokinos

Salisbury, 10/31/2009, F, right shot, 5-8/160
Hometown: Dedham, Mass.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

It's always telling when an underclassman puts up an impactful season for Salisbury since so much of the Crimson Knights' success is usually seniors or juniors. But Cokinos was a productive forward for Salisbury as a sophomore with seven goals and 17 points in 31 games. He's a strong breakout candidate for prep next season, and no USHL team has his rights. He's an intriguing player to take a flier on in this draft.

16. Tommy Coccaro

Sherwood Park Crusaders, 4/10/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/174
Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.
NCAA: Colgate
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Coccaro left Westminster a year early and played for Sherwood Park in the BCHL, putting up eight goals and 15 points in 43 games. He's a shifty, skilled winger who has a full year of junior hockey experience, which could be intriguing for teams looking to bring in an older player with a higher offensive ceiling.

17. Liam Guilderson

Dexter Southfield, 3/30/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Belmont, Mass.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Guilderson missed some time this winter with an injury, only putting up three points in 16 games for Dexter. Still, he's a highly skilled winger who has phenomenal hands and should be a major factor for the Shields next season. A team that drafts Guilderson is hoping he pops this coming season and fulfills some of that offensive potential, making him ready to jump to the QMJHL in 2027-28 or the year after.

18. Troy Hamelin

Frederick Gunn, 6/8/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/165
Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
USHL Phase 1 Draft: Round 13, Sioux City Musketeers (2025) 

Hamelin didn't have the flashiest junior season at Frederick Gunn with four goals and eight points. But I've always liked his upside due to his great hands, ability to slow the play down and offensive instincts. If he pops as a senior, which he should, he would be a nice add for 2027-28. He's worth a late-round flier.

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19. Colton Simas

Deerfield, 3/22/2009, F, right shot, 5-11/165
Hometown: Warwick, R.I.
USHL Phase 1 Draft: Round 13, Madison Capitols (2025) 

His stats (eight goals and 14 points in 24 games) don't show it well enough, but Simas can shoot the freaking puck. He has a lethal shot. He was only a sophomore this past season, and he should continue breaking out this winter. His shot alone is worth a look.

20. Danny Patch

Pingree, 6/2/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/181
Hometown: Melrose, Mass.
USHL Phase 1 Draft: Round 12, Omaha Lancers (2025) 

Patch already has the prep production part down. Since beginning as a freshman in 2023-24, Patch has upped his point totals every season, going from 17 to 31 to 39 as a junior this past winter. He has good size, too.

21. Van Martin

New Hampshire Mountain Kings, 10/3/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/168
Hometown: Raymond, N.H.
NCAA: St. Lawrence
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Martin spent this past season between the NAHL's Lone Star Brahmas and New Hampshire Mountain Kings, tallying six points in 18 games with Lone Star before bursting out for 21 points in 27 games for New Hampshire. While he's an '07, that year of junior hockey experience could be worth taking for a QMJHL team.

22. Lucas Husted-Edwards

Kent, 1/25/2007, F, right shot, 6-1/187
Hometown: Trumbull, Conn.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

As a senior, Husted-Edwards had a strong year for Kent with 17 goals and 38 points in 24 games. He can play anywhere in a lineup and has a high level of compete. His checking would likely fit well in the bottom six of a QMJHL team.

23. Cam MacPherson

St. Mark's, 6/19/2008, F, left shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Hopkinton, Mass.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Whether it's for the Neponset Valley River Rats in the fall or St. Mark's, MacPherson is always producing. Since his freshman season in 2023-24, MacPherson has point totals of 30, 37 and 46 for St. Mark's. He's a crafty winger with a high motor. He's likely back in prep next season, but could be an intriguing late-round pick for a team that wants him in 2027-28 if he decides to do a year of junior.

24. Ryan Elrick

Canton High, 5/31/2009, F, right shot, 6-0/180
Hometown: Canton, Mass.
USHL Draft: Undrafted 

Elrick has been dominant throughout his time at Canton High School. As he moves to Cushing for next season, he has a great shot and legitimate offensive potential. He's a sleeper value pick who, if he pops at Cushing, could be a player teams would want to scoop up next season.

QMJHL DRAFT: 25 local '10 forwards to watch | 20 local '10 defenders to watch

25. Michael Munroe

Coquitlam Express, 7/6/2007, F, left shot, 5-9/170
Hometown: Hanover, Mass.
NCAA: Maine
USHL Draft: Round 6, Youngstown Phantoms (2023) 

If a QMJHL team is looking for a player who has been through the junior hockey gauntlet, Munroe could be a viable option. The feisty left winger has spent the last two seasons logging time for the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms and the BCHL's Sherwood Park Crusaders, Vernon Vipers and Coquitlam Express. He finished the Express season with 10 goals and 19 points in 34 games.

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