EHM The Blue Line

decided to start a fresh game as an unemployed GM and fate handed me the Gatineau Olympliques of the QMJHL (well, fate handed me about 10 jobs overall in various places around the world, but i made my choice)

anyhoo, i've got zero experience managing anything outside of the NHL. i'm learning as i go, but just wondering if anyone else has any tips they want to share on GMing a QMJHL (or WHL, OHL, etc) team?

First draft has usually has pretty poor depth so you could think about trading some picks from it, you can't trade your 1st, but 2th and 3th are still some worth etc. From the import draft and the local draft don't draft anyone who hasn't "interested in playing Canadian Major Junior hockey" listed in the future section in their information panel. Americans and euros who don't have this almost never sign for your team. If they have it listed they will most certainly sign with you.

The Q drafting system has something unique. In the first 5 rounds you can draft 15 year-olds but past that, only 16 year-olds. This makes those draft picks more valuable.

ps: you should double check my statements. it's a little fuzzy in my memory.

Here is my guide to the OHL
http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/dl ... ile_id=655

Some parts of it could be useful for the QMJHL, as well.

You could also check out this thread
http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... php?t=5793
That is the latest challenge we did in the QMJHL. Some of it might be useful

ChoseQuiVole wrote:The Q drafting system has something unique. In the first 5 rounds you can draft 15 year-olds but past that, only 16 year-olds. This makes those draft picks more valuable.

ps: you should double check my statements. it's a little fuzzy in my memory.

Oh yeah I kinda failed there I have only played OHL and WHL so QMJHL wasn't that familiar concept to me.

Scouting scouting scouting. Scout for the upcoign drafts, both QMJHL and import draft. If any of the NA players say 'want to play US College hockey' stay away from them. I've NEVER been able to sign someone who want play college hockey.

As for import draft picks, if they specifically say 'Wants to play Major Junoir hockey' it's a safe bet, doubly so if they are not on a team when you draft them.

Other things to keep in mind. There are limits on the number of overagers (3) and foreign players (Non-NA, the limit is 2). You will pretty much have the deal with your reserver list after every draft, because there are 15 rounds. and it's unlikey you will only have eights to just 35 players at that point. This is a good time to clear out picks that don't look liek they'll make it, and also make sure you stay on the Overager and foreign limit for the next year. At least with the QMJHL thier draft is after the playoffs, unlike the Whl adn OHL when the draft is usally during the conference finals.

You want to make sure you have staff with a high rating in working with youngsters as well. And make sure you have some depth if you have high-caliber players. As when the World Juniors come around they went be available.