A Big Hit: Wildcats’ Impact First Rounders, Part 2
Jakob Pelletier - 2017, 3rd overall
Many 1st rounders have tons of expectations and undue pressure placed on them. Given the scenario around the 2017 entry draft, and the Moncton Wildcats epic plan to rebuild, Jakob Pelletier no doubt faced the most pressure of any draft selection in Wildcats history. Jakob Pelletier was the highest drafted player chosen by the franchise in almost a decade. In the midst of a massive rebuild, the 5”8, 154 pound 16-year-old had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was pegged as the savior of the proud franchise on the downward end of junior hockey’s dreaded cycle. Could the diminutive forward possibly carry the Moncton Wildcats back to respectability and lead them to a championship? Jakob Pelletier’s confidence was on full display at Harbour Station on that beautiful Saturday morning in June 2017. Moments after being selected third overall in 2017 QMJHL Draft, Pelletier looked into the Rogers TV cameras and said. "I’m a winner, and that’s what I’m going to bring to Moncton and we are going to win!" Jakob Pelletier was true to his word. The gifted two-way winger lifted the Moncton Wildcats up. He gave the organization, fans and the city hope when they needed it most. The highly skilled charismatic forward from Quebec City willed his team back to respectability with his inspired play and leadership on and off the ice. Pelletier’s compete level and work ethic was infectious from the very start. His personality, sense of humour, confidence, pride and passion for the game was on full display every time he pulled the Wildcats jersey on. You could tell right away that Pelletier possesses an unprecedented driven and loved the game. Pelletier not only lived up to the hype and immense pressure and high expectations that was instantly imposed on him, he surpassed them. Game in game out, year after year the young phenom continued to elevate his game and the organization. Arguably the Calgary Flames 2019 1st-rounder could very well be one of the most complete players in Moncton Wildcat history. In this era of the game many times you will see young athletes that are so entitled and cocky or those that don’t say anything at all. Jakob Pelletier knew he could deliver and stayed true to his word. He kept his promise to himself, the city and the fans. Jakob Pelletier is a winner and so were the Moncton Wildcats. In 182 career regular season games with the Wildcats, Pelletier scored 94 goals, 138 assists for 232 points. In 17 playoff games, he recorded 4 goals and 4 assists. Pelletier and the Wildcats championship aspirations ended with the start of the pandemic and cancellation of the 2019 season. Pelts made his NHL Debut with the Calgary Flames on January 22,2023.Jaxon Bellamy - 2017, 16th overall
Jaxon Bellamy’s time as a Moncton Wildcat showcases several layers of Major Junior hockey and the business side of the game. Bellamy was selected by the organization to be a lethal shutdown two-way defender. Bellamy’s first foray with the organization didn’t last too long when the team decided to trade the young defender to the Sherbrooke Phoenix to acquire more offence to their lineup. After only 24 games with the Cats Bellamy was traded and spent the next three seasons in with the Phoenix amassing 49 points in 156 regular season games. The skilled hard working in your face defender and leader was on the move once again after being acquired by the Acadie Bathurst Titan. Bellamy’s offensive numbers increased substantially with a more significant role, General Manager of Hockey Operations Ritchie Thibeau re-acquired the teams former 1st rounder to provide stability and leadership to a very young backend to finish off the 2021-2022 season. In 36 games with Cats, he scored one goal adding 6 assists. In 3 playoff games, he scored one goal. Bellamy took his talents to St Mary’s University at the USports level this season where he amassed 23 points in 30 games for the Huskies last season. In total, Jaxon Bellamy played 291 QMJHL games. The Cat came back to end his career where it all started and the organization was thrilled that he did!Elliot Desnoyers - 2018, 18th overall
After the pressure of the 2017 draft and subsequent rebuild, Elliot Desnoyers was also confronted with an enormous amount of expectations coming into the fray. The young dynamic two-way forward didn’t disappoint and showcased his skill set instantly. Desnoyers strongest attributes were his ability to read, react and think the game in any situation. His processing, compete level and ability to adjust on the fly and while generating time and space for himself and teammates made him an extremely valuable asset. Desnoyers offensive numbers were solid with the Cats, scoring 23 goals 34 assists in a 121 regular season games. He added two goals and two assists in 11 playoff games in 2018-2019. It’s really unfortunate the Wildcats and their fanbase missed out what he had in store in the 2020 playoffs. It became clear that when the Wildcats loaded up for that run by acquiring Jared McIssac and Benoit-Olivier Groulx that Desnoyers and Zachary L’Heureux, 2019’s 1st round, 3rd overall pick from 2019 were going to be on the move to the Cats longtime rival the Halifax Mooseheads. Desnoyer’s offensive exploits with the Herd was monumental for that organization. In summer of 2020, the highly skilled two-way forward was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 5th round 135th overall. Desnoyer proved all of the critics wrong by adding a more potent offensive structure to his game. The Flyers did amazing job projecting his talents, much like the Wildcats scouting staff did when they selected him two years earlier. Desnoyers made his NHL Debut with the Flyers February 25, 2023 after putting up 23 goals and 21 assists in 65 games with Flyers AHL affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.Zachary L’Heureux - 2019, 3rd overall
The business of junior hockey struck again and very early on in Zachary L’Heureux’s tenure as a Moncton Wildcat. L’Heureux stepped in right away and played a gritty two-way game on a very talented Wildcat hockey club. He earned and maintained his Top 6 billing throughout his time with the Cats. In 55 games, the young highly touted scoring power forward scored 20 goals and added 33 assists for 53 pts, which was good for 5th in team scoring. L’Heureux’s 53 points also saw him tied for the rookie scoring lead in the QMJHL with Rimouski Oceanic’s defencman Isaac Belliveau. The writing was on the wall, when trades were made during the QMJHL’s winter trading period. As soon as the deal was struck with the Halifax Mooseheads, fans of the organization knew key young assets were going to be moving on. L’Heureux blossomed into the elite lethal scoring threat that the Wildcats scouting staff projected. L’Heureux was selected by the Nashville Predators 27th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. L’Heureux was scoring force during the 2022-2023 campaign scoring 21 goals and 21 assists in only 33 games. In 20 postseason games, he scored 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points. 7 of those goals came in the second round series versus the Moncton Wildcats.Yoan Loshing - 2020, 13th overall
When Yoan Loshing arrived in Moncton, he had a lot to prove. The obvious pressure and high expectations that 1st rounders normally have took on new complexion given the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and his size and stature. Critics no doubt questioned his size, but they never questioned his skill. The young highly skilled shifty winger appeared in 19 games in 2020-2021 and finished with 8pts. There was no question Loshing may not have had the greatest start and was hit hard by injuries during his rookie season, but did he ever respond the following season. In 50 games, he scored 19 goals, 23 assists and added a goal and an assist in three playoff games. Loshing upped the ante again this season eclipsing the 30-goal mark, finishing with 33 goals while adding 30 assists. He was an offensive force for the Cats this season in the playoffs scoring 6 goals and 5 assists in 8 games. What does the pride of Lemoyne, Quebec have in store for the fanbase and the organization in this season? There’s no question Yoan Loshing has surpassed any expectations and has quieted any notion that perceived “small” players can’t have a big impact on their team and league. Are 50 goals on Yoan Loshing’s radar for the upcoming years? We will all have to wait and see.Adam Fortier-Gendron - 2022, 14th overall
From the drop of the puck, Adam Fortier-Gendron surpassed any expectations or pressure for that matter. In his first foray in the QMJHL, the highly skilled two-way defender played like a seasoned veteran, which speaks volumes about his confidence, ability and will to compete. Fortier-Gendron could end up being the steal of the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft given his amazingly consistent, confident and poised game. You have to look beyond the stat line or score sheet to truly see this young defenders impact on the Wildcats. The 16-year-old defenceman locked things down and transitioned the puck in amazingly well throughout the entire campaign. He can play both sides of the ice with relative ease and takes pride in the playing the position and game the right way. Fortier-Gendron’s will to compete, drive and overall enthusiasm for the game is infectious. He’s entering his NHL Draft Year with his confidence soaring from a stellar rookie season with the Cats. The sky is the limit for this young defender.Moncton Wildcats 2023 Draft coverage is sponsored by Protrans Personnel Services. The Wildcats hold the 1st overall pick on June 10 at the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft in Sherbrooke. You can watch the Wildcats take the next step — 2023/2024 Season Seats are on sale now!