Antigonish’s Calum MacPherson achieved a rarity when it comes to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft; being drafted as a 17-year-old.
MacPherson, a key contributor to the Cape Breton West Major Midget Islanders’ Telus Cup championship team from 2016-17, was selected 177th overall by the Rimouski Océanic, during the June 2 draft.
MacPherson completed his third-year with the Port Hood-based Islanders this past season.
Earlier in the draft, with the 110th selection, the Océanic selected Islanders’ forward Matt Ellis, who is the brother of Rimouski goaltender Colten Ellis – a teammate of MacPherson’s on the national champs.
The Ellis brothers are from River Denys, Inverness County.
A cousin to Colten and Matt, Chase Ellis, was the highest drafted CBW player this year; Chase went 50th overall to the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
The physical forward with good offensive skills, is from Whycocomagh, Inverness County.
A fourth CBW player drafted into the ‘Q’ on the day was defenceman Dell Welton, who went 190th to the Charlottetown Islanders. Welton, a strong skater who also handles the puck well, is a Baddeck, Victoria County, resident.
