2023 Draft: The player who broke Auston Matthews' record sends a clear message to the Montreal Canadiens and Kent Hughes
Even though he's part of the American program, Gabriel Perreault has not lost touch with his Quebec roots. The youngest of Yanic's four sons, who played among others with the Montreal Canadiens, dreams of wearing either the red, white and blue jersey that he cheered for in his childhood. Or that of the Chicago Blackhawks.
"Chicago and Montreal would be the two teams for a dream scenario," Gabriel replied. "But no matter the team, I will be so happy. I just want to hear my name."
His wishes might well come true as many recruiters see him being picked in the first round of the next NHL Draft. It should be remembered that the Canadiens will have, with the Panthers' pick obtained in the Ben Chiarot trade, a selection between the 29th and the 32nd spot. While Chicago has a better chance of selecting him (at the 19th spot with Tampa Bay's choice), nothing says that Kent Hughes won't make a move to get a mid-first round pick.
The one who has been renamed Gabe by our southern neighbors could be quite a steal as the young man had an extraordinary season. And here, we are not exaggerating as he made his name in the record books of the American under-18 program with a harvest of 132 points (53 goals, 79 assists) in 63 games. This is better than Will Smith, who is presumed to go in the top-5 next June, who accumulated 127 points (51 goals, 76 assists) in 60 games.
Next season, Gabriel will join his younger brother Jacob, who was selected 27th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2020, with the Boston College Eagles. There, he will reunite with his two line-mates Will Smith and Ryan Leonard, as well as Cutter Gauthier, the fifth overall pick in the 2022 Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.
| POLL | ||
Would you like the Canadiens to target Perreault with their second first round pick? | ||
| Yes | 555 | 77.3 % |
| No | 163 | 22.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
