Caleb Desnoyers (C, L, 6’2″, 178, Moncton Wildcats, 04/11/2007)
Caleb Desnoyers is a 6’2″, 180-pound left-shot center for the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL, with a promising future as a potential top-10 selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. His rookie season in major junior hockey showcased his high end offensive talents, as he posted 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points in 60 games. Desnoyers is a well-rounded player who plays a 200′ style that makes game changing contributions at both ends of the ice.
Skating and Mobility: Caleb possesses a long, powerful stride that allows him to be the F1 on the forecheck and then be the F1 in defensive zone coverage. His fluid skating, combined with his strong first three steps, gives him excellent burst and acceleration. The puck does not slow him down making him a constant threat in clear transition and after grey area turnovers.
Offensive Awareness and Playmaking: Caleb’s vision on the ice stands out as one of his greatest assets. He consistently creates scoring opportunities for his teammates with his exceptional puck poise, passing ability and playmaking instincts. His game processing allows him to find quiet areas in the offensive zone, and his soft hands enable him to execute precise passes, often setting up high-quality scoring chances. He is also capable of being a dual threat in the offensive zone, evidenced by his 20-goal rookie season.
Shooting and Scoring Ability: While Caleb is a skilled playmaker, his shooting continues to develop. At the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he averaged 5.8 shot attempts per game, demonstrating his ability to generate chances. Although he averaged three shots on goal per game, the fact that 1.6 of his shots were blocked per game suggests room for improvement in his release and ability to one-time passes that aren’t perfect. His drag-and-shoot move, which freezes defenders and changes the shooting angle, highlights his potential as a goal scorer as he refines his quick-release shot.
Two-Way Game and Face-offs: Caleb excels in his two-way game, consistently supporting his defensemen and backchecking with intelligence and purpose. His ability to angle opponents effectively, combined with his strong hockey IQ, makes him a reliable defensive presence. He’s also dominant in the face-off circle, winning 69% of his draws, a crucial skill that will translate well at the next level. Additionally, his 53% success rate in 50/50 puck battles further illustrates his competitiveness and determination.
Leadership and Intangibles: Desnoyers has shown strong mental resilience, quickly moving on from mistakes and maintaining a high level of play. His leadership qualities are evident in how he positively interacts with teammates and that was also shown in the fact that he was an assistant captain for Team Canada during the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup as well as being an assistant captain during last year’s U17 World Championships. He is a player who can impact both special teams, excelling in power play and penalty kill situations.
International Performance: At the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Caleb played a key role for his team, averaging 18:00 of ice time per game. He scored 1 goal on 29 shot attempts and was on the ice for 13 goals for and only 1 goal against, highlighting his effectiveness in both ends of the rink. His ability to consistently find high-quality scoring opportunities and dominate face-offs on the international stage further reinforces his status as a top prospect.
Projection: Caleb Desnoyers projects as a reliable two-way center at the professional level. His combination of size, skating ability, and offensive creativity makes him a valuable asset in all situations. With continued development in his shooting release and further refinement of his defensive game, Caleb has the potential to become a top-line center in the NHL, capable of contributing at both ends of the ice. His leadership qualities and high hockey IQ make him a standout prospect with significant upside heading into the 2025 NHL Draft season.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images