The pick is late in the opening round, but as Fleury proved, many hidden gems can still be found.It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since the Eagles drafted the now 35-year-old Fleury, who has since won three Stanley Cups.
James Sheppard (2006/Minnesota), Evgeny Svechnikov (2015/Detroit) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (2016/Columbus) have also been first-round picks representing the Eagles.Although 2000 is being highlighted, Cape Breton has had many good drafts over the years, including 2004 when Sheppard was taken first overall at the QMJHL Entry Draft.The same year, Dean Ouellet, Chris Culligan, Francois Gauthier, Etienne Breton and Brendon MacDonald, who all suited up for the Eagles, were also picked and went on to have QMJHL careers.The Eagles organization will welcome more members to its family this weekend when they participate in the QMJHL's virtual entry draft, a result of COVID-19 protocols.Cape Breton holds the No. 1 netminder, posting a 26-10-8-4 record with a 2.78 goals-against-average and a .915 save percentage.The then 17-year-old led the Eagles to their first-ever semifinal playoff appearance after eliminating the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Halifax Mooseheads, before losing in third round to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in five games.He would play three full seasons in an Eagles uniform and an additional 10 games in 2003-04.Fleury, sporting his well-known Eagles yellow pads, would go on to represent Canada at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in 2003 and 2004, winning the silver medal both years.In 2003, Fleury put Cape Breton Island on the major junior hockey map when the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted the netminder with the first overall pick at the NHL Entry Draft.Prior to the draft, it's fair to say the island was known for the Cape Breton Oilers American Hockey League Calder Cup championship, won in 1993, but many didn't recognize the area for major junior hockey.Since 1963, only three goaltenders have been selected with the first overall pick at the NHL draft.Fellow QMJHLer Michel Plasse of the then Drummondville Rangers was taken by the Montreal Canadiens with the top pick in 1969. After trading captain Jakob Pelletier on Friday night, the Wildcats acquired a haul of draft picks, including the 13th overall selection. The 2009–10 QMJHL season marked the first time that an all-Maritime Provinces Championship series occurred in the 41-year history of the league.
Although 2000 is being highlighted, Cape Breton has had many good drafts over the years, including 2004 when Sheppard was taken first overall at the QMJHL Entry Draft.
He was — and still is — a role model in the Cape Breton community, an inspiration to young goaltenders, and still to this day a fan favourite.
The pick is late in the opening round, but as Fleury proved, many hidden gems can still be found.It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since the Eagles drafted the now 35-year-old Fleury, who has since won three Stanley Cups. Martin Houle, Ondrej Pavelec (import draft), Olivier Roy and Kevin Mandolese, all NHL draft picks, have since come through the Eagles' system as homegrown picks.Fleury remains the only player in Eagles history to be the first overall pick in the NHL draft. Although 2000 is being highlighted, Cape Breton has had many good drafts over the years, including 2004 when Sheppard was taken first overall at the QMJHL Entry Draft. Barely speaking English at the time, Fleury reported to Cape Breton and quickly found a spot on the roster, appearing in 35 games in his rookie campaign in 2000-01, posting a 12-11-2-1 record.Fleury's special talent, development and stock continued to rise during the 2001-02 season when he took over as the team's No. Sorry you must be at least 19 years of age to consume this content.The 2000 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft was business as usual for the then Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.The franchise, which had called Sydney home since 1997, was holding the No. 16 overall pick at the entry draft and officials were well aware of what was needed to be successful moving forward.But, what the organization didn't know, was that the team's selection would change the franchise forever and put Cape Breton Island on the major junior hockey map.In the early years, the Screaming Eagles saw less than stellar goaltending.
The Val-D’Or Foreurs for sure, but in a different way.
