ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Dawson Mercer of Bay Roberts is one of three players nominated for the Michael Bossy Award as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s top professional prospect.
Also among the three finalists are Alexis Lafreniere and Hendrix Lapierre.
The award is named after former QMJHLer and Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Bossy, who was ranked sixth in the league’s 50 greatest players countdown as part of the QMJHL’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.
Bossy is widely regarded as one of the finest goalscorers the NHL has ever known.
Many other players on the QMJHL’s Top 50 players of all-time list have received this award, including Mario Lemieux, Pat LaFontaine, Sidney Crosby and Vincent Lecavalier.
Mercer, who won the world junior gold medal for Canada and plays for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, is probably the player who has shown the biggest improvement throughout the season, according to a QMJHL news release.
A little off the radar at the beginning of the season, Mercer turned heads all year long. His performances earned him invitations at the CIBC Canada Russia Series, where he starred, the World Junior Hockey Championship and the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
He piled up 42 points in 26 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs before getting traded to Chicoutimi, where he accumulated another 18 points in 16 outings as the Sags loaded up for a run at the President’s Cup league championship.
He is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Lafreniere took home the Jean Béliveau Trophy last Saturday as the top point-getter during the regular season. The Rimouski Oceanic captain registered 112 points in only 52 games during the 2019-2020 campaign.
Lapierre experienced a frustrating season after an extended stay on the injury list. The Gatineau, Que., native appeared in only 19 games with Chicoutimi, scoring two goals and adding 15 assists.
However, the first overall selection of the 2018 QMJHL Draft had an exceptional rookie season in 2018-19 with a total of 45 points in 48 games. Loaded with skill, he remains one of the most interesting prospects for the upcoming NHL Draft, according to the QMJHL.
Twitter: @telyrobinshort
