Baie-Comeau takes Cole Harbour's Nathan MacKinnon first in QMJHL draft

VICTORIAVILLE, Que. – The Baie-Comeau Drakkar turned down trade offers from rival clubs and used the first overall pick in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft Saturday to select forward Nathan MacKinnon.

MacKinnon’s hockey path has closely followed that of fellow Cole Harbour, N.S., native Sidney Crosby. MacKinnon grew up playing in the same minor hockey system and then jumped to Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school in Faribeault, Minn.

The five-foot-11, 170-pound centre had 45 goals and 93 points in 40 games this season.

The Halifax Mooseheads and Crosby’s old team, the Rimouski Oceanic, were reportedly among the clubs that made offers to Baie-Comeau for the first overall pick.

MacKinnon, who has Crosby’s agent Pat Brisson as his adviser, has not yet committed to playing for Baie-Comeau and did not attend the draft, but general manager Steve Ahern has said he will do his best to convince the gifted playmaker to report. MacKinnon may opt to play in the USHL and then go on to a U.S. university.