Every season presents a different set of challenges for fantasy managers. From rebuilders to contenders, mining talent beyond the opening rounds of your prospect drafts are vital to building a long window of success. You can use those players in your lineups one day or you can use them as trade bait to upgrade your main roster. The make up of your team determines just that.

Today, we’ll dive into a few players making waves early in the junior hockey season that you can look to for that value to give you an edge down the line, or in the now once these players become more of a household name in the game. 

Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (17th Overall, 2025, St. Louis Blues)

Carbonneau started the season with a bang, picking up where he left off with 17 goals through 16 appearances thus far. While not a traditional “grab and stash” type of player due to his pedigree and likely high roster share across all fantasy formats with a minor system, he checks off all the boxes a fantasy manager would want in a dynasty or keeper format. 

His shot volume stands out as a major factor as to why he could become a stud in the fantasy realm one day (5.6 shots-per-game). These are not just shots for the sake of it either. Carbonneau fires the puck with a lot of purpose and changes up how and where he shoots from, creating a level of deception with his quick catch-and-release style. 

He should get a healthy look at Canada’s World Junior lineup, which will allow him to showcase his cut throat offensive style that puts pucks in the net. Take notice before other managers do if you’re lucky enough to be in a league where Carbonneau is available. He is likely already rostered in the majority of dynasty leagues. But if not, be ready to pounce and stash, because once he breaks through to the NHL, he is going to make waves. 

Marcus Kearsey, LHD, Charlottetown Islanders (Undrafted)

Kearsey leads the way for a resurgent Islanders team that is looking to advance past the first round since their most recent finals appearance in the 2021-22 season. He has logged 20 points in 19 games so far, and is just eight points short of topping his total from last season, albeit one where he only played 46 games. 

Kearsey is what you could consider a “modern” defender. He can use his stride to escape from danger in the defensive zone and to manufacture a breakout when his top option no longer exists. He is a smooth player in transition. He’s also got a wicked wrist shot from distance:

Despite this skillset, Kearsey is not a great producer on the powerplay as has been shown with a large sample size of his time with the man advantage. This can be a glaring hole for fantasy managers, as powerplay time is what separates average to great fantasy skaters. 

Kearsey’s comparable for me is not someone who has seen significant NHL time, but one with more seasoning in Seamus Casey. A modern defender who has the potential to put up points at the NHL level, but whose baseline could allow them to start with NHL minutes, and become a depth contributor for an NHL team and fantasy general managers alike. 

Mateo Nobert, LW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (85th Overall, 2025, Vegas Golden Knights)

Nobert is a player who has been on a steady rise since being selected third overall in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. He fell to the Golden Knights in round three of the draft last June, and that is what makes him an appealing stash. The unknown factor makes him a potentially cheap pickup or acquisition. 

He is a very cerebral playmaker who can make a great play with little given to him. His feel as a centreman lends himself to being an effective player in transition. Nobert has a knack for finding the soft spots in the ice and has a great motor when it comes to distributing the puck. Nobert is someone who may not see NHL ice for a while, but has a ceiling intriguing enough to store him in your dynasty formats. If he can find a way to continue to grow his two-way game as he has, he should have ample opportunity in the NHL, and even with the top unit in Vegas. A worthy gamble for what should be a cheap addition for managers. 

Honourable Mentions: Philippe Veilleux, Justin Larose

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Thanks for reading November’s QMJHL Report! Next month is the most wonderful time of the year! Aka, World Junior season! We’ll dive into QMJHL players making their way into the tournament, what to expect and how it could affect their prospect stock or their draft stock as a whole. 

Stay up to date with the QMJHL here at Dobber Prospects! The second Monday of every week we’ll dive into more trends, risers, fallers and all that we can around the QMJHL!

Sean Crocker