It’s time for another Calgary Flames prospect update! Today we’ll be looking at our first (and only) prospect in the QMJHL.
Finally a prospect in the QMJHL! Not only are we looking at our first prospect in the QMJHL, but we’re also looking at the prospect with arguably the coolest name in the league. The Calgary Flames selected D’Artagnan Joly last year in the sixth round of the NHL Draft.
Overall, Joly was ranked quite higher than what he was selected at (171 overall). Based on his rankings, he could have gone in the fourth round, fifth round at the latest. Normally, people don’t care that much about sixth round picks. But Flames Twitter went quite crazy because of how cool his name is.
This past season, Joly played in his third season with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL. He saw a big improvement in his numbers with 23 goals and 68 points in 55 games. This was second on the team in points and first for pts/gp.
Related Story: Recapping the Flames at the 2017 NHL Draft weekend
His six assists in five playoff games lead Baie Comeau, where they were unfortunately eliminated in the first round by the Halifax Mooseheads. He reported to the Stockton Heat to end the season, but their season was also ended early, and he didn’t get in any games.
With a player like Joly, it’s hard to tell what his future holds. It’s not like Spencer Foo or Dillon Dube where a future in the NHL seems imminent. Good news for him and for the Flames is that he has seen immense improvement every season with Baie Comeau. Not just in terms of points, but even on the powerplay and especially in terms of puck-possession.
Next: What could happen for the Flames at the NHL Draft
Joly hasn’t been signed by the Flames so he will spend another season with Baie Comeau. Players can play up to 21 in the QMJHL, but by the way Joly has been improving after every year, I don’t have a doubt that the Flames will opt out of signing him. Even if it’s to keep him in Stockton for a few years for pro development.