The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League finished it’s regular season Saturday. Several Columbus Blue Jackets prospects ended impressive regular seasons.
Two of the Columbus Blue Jackets top young stars finished their regular seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League yesterday. Both Vitalii Abrimov and Pierre-Luc Dubois posted fantastic seasons in the Q.
Big numbers in major junior hockey don’t always translate to the NHL, but the seasons like Abrimov and Dubois had are certainly encouraging. They’ll both make the playoffs but their regular seasons are worthy of review.
Abrimov Wins Beliveau Trophy
Vitalii Abrimov built upon his impressive season last year to become the leading score in the entire QMJHL this year. Abrimov posted 46 goals and 55 assist in just 66 games this season for the Gatineau Olympiques. As the top scorer in the Q, Abimov is awarded the Jean Beliveau trophy named after the NHL legend and native Quebecois.
C'EST CONFIRMÉ! Vitalii Abramov remporte le trophée Jean Béliveau, décerné au meilleur pointeurs de la saison régulière! #GoViGo pic.twitter.com/X2hZfObpuC
— Olympiques de Gatineau (@OlympiquesGAT) March 18, 2017
For you at home who don’t speak french, that (roughly) reads “IT’S CONFIRMED! Vitalii Abramov won the Jean Béliveau trophy, awarded to the highest point player in the regular season. #GoViGo”. Notable winners of this award include Mario Lemeiux, Sidney Crosby, and recently Red Wing Anthony Mantha.
Abrimov is making quite a name for himself in the Q after winning the Rookie of the Year honors in the 2015-2016 season. His impressive total of 197 points in 129 regular season games in Gatineau are turning heads. The Jackets certainly have to be happy with the production this 2016 3rd round pick is putting up.
Abrimov is still young and won’t turn 19 until May 8th. The Russian winger is also only 5’9″ and 175 pounds. Abrimov will need to gain some weight and improve his defensive play before the Jackets think of putting him in the AHL or trying out with the team.
Dubois Change of Scenery Aids Growth
Undoubtedly the crown jewel of the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect pool, Pierre-Luc Dubois has improved and impressed. The #3 overall pick in last years draft was moved from Cape Brenton to Blainville-Boisbriand Armada midseason. The move from a small remote town in Nova Scotia to Montreal was big for the 18-year-old.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The change has spurred Dubois to go from 18 points in 20 games in Cape Brenton to 37 points in 28 games for Armada. Dubois returned to playing like the dominate, two way forward that the Blue Jackets expected when they drafted him.
Dubois also played for Team Canada at the World Juniors this year and was impressive offensively and defensively. The two way forward with an ability to play center or winger should see time in the NHL soon.
The two 18-year-olds have been some of the best players in the Q all year and will look to carry their team’s in the playoffs. Jarmo and the rest of the staff should be happy with the progress these prospects are making. In today’s salary cap league, developing from within is necessary. Abrimov and Dubois will certainly be key cogs in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ bright future.