GALLERY: Former French River Rapids standout Philippe Daoust taken in NHL Draft

SUDBURY, Ont. – Just one season removed from playing in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, former French River Rapids forward Philippe Daoust was selected in the sixth round, 158th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in Day 2 of the National Hockey League Draft held Wednesday.

The 18-year-old Barrie, Ont., product spent the 2018-19 campaign with French River where he led all NOJHL rookies in offensive production with 59 points in 56 games on 20 goals and 39 assists.

From there, Daoust joined the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) in 2019-20 where he registered 29 points on seven tallies and 22 helpers in 58 outings.

“This is a tremendous honour for Philippe, the French River Rapids and the entire Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League,” stated NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca.

“It just goes to show you, that if you work hard, get an opportunity to showcase your talents, great things can happen,” added Mazzuca

“For a fairly recent Jr. A franchise, like French River, to have one of its recent alumni be drafted by an NHL team, it continues to bode well for our league.”

Game Photos courtesy of  Dal Photography