Prospect Update: Alexandre Blais

By Thomas Harrington

Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, forward Alexandre Blais played for Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL last season.

Blais played in 60 games this past season, scoring 20 goals and 73 points, down from scoring 24 goals and 84 points in 68 games the season before. However, his scoring rate was similar to the previous season, and if he had played a full season, Blais would have scored about the same number of goals and points. He finished fifth on Rimouski in goals, but led them in both assists and points.

In the playoffs, Blais played in 23 games and scored five goals and 20 points, finishing third on the team in assists and points. Rimouski made it to the QMJHL Final where they lost to the Moncton Wildcats in six games. Rimouski was also the host of the Memorial Cup, so despite losing to Moncton, they still competed in the tournament. Blais was the only Anaheim prospect to compete for the Memorial Cup this past season. He played in all three games and recorded two assists, as the Oceanic lost all three games they played.

Blais is a playmaking winger with fast hands. He’s a good skater; combined with his passing ability, he has two valuable assets that could help get him to the NHL someday. He’s on the smaller side and isn’t a very physical player. If Blais does make it to the NHL, it’s going to be because of his ability to find the open man and put up some points as a second line winger.

In June, it was announced that Blais would be leaving the QMJHL for the NCAA and playing at the University of Connecticut. He is far from the only player leaving the CHL for the NCAA; a number of Canadian junior players have made that choice this summer. The NCAA recently voted to allow CHL players to play college hockey, as long as they weren’t compensated above actual and necessary expenses before enrolling in college.

With a new team and in an entirely different league, this will be an interesting season for Blais. I have a couple of expectations for him. First, after being over a point-per-game player the past two seasons, I want him to score close to a point per game in college. I’d love him to score at a similar pace, but given the adjustment period and how different the two leagues are, I’ll be satisfied if Blais is just scoring close to a point per game. Second, for him to finish top three on his new team in assists and points.

Blais is still a number of years away from making it to the NHL. It’s unclear how many years he’ll spend in the NCAA. The Ducks often let their college prospects play three or four years at that level before having them turn pro. However, given that he’s entering college as a slightly older player, it wouldn’t surprise me if Blais only stayed in the NCAA for two or three years before turning pro. He’d then likely spend time in San Diego, so the earliest I think we see him in Anaheim isn’t for another three or four years.

Blais is currently unsigned and Puckpedia shows Anaheim controlling his rights until June 2028. As long as Blais plays well for his new team, the Ducks should sign him to a standard entry-level contract within the next two or three years. However, if he really struggles the Ducks may choose to not sign him and let him leave the organization.

The next prospect update will be on forward Michael Callow.

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August 17th, 2025