“Follow Your Heart”: Tommy Bleyl’s Breakout Year in the QMJHL and Rise Up Draft Boards
Tommy Bleyl’s season in Moncton wasn’t part of the original plan. That’s exactly what makes it stand out.
Twelve months ago, the right-shot defenseman was coming off an Elite Eight championship at Cushing Academy and preparing for what he believed was the next step in a long-established path to the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints and, eventually, Michigan State in the NCAA.
Due to the NCAA’s new ruling that opens eligibility to CHL-based players, many youngsters are now using both leagues to maximize their playing opportunities and jump-start their development.
We’ve seen many go from Major Junior to college over the last 12 months, but Bleyl was one of the first prospects to come from the USHL to the CHL in order to prepare himself for an eventual move to the NCAA down the line.
It was a risky proposition, and not a popular one at the time, but he, along with his advisors, thought it was the best path forward for him.
“I was originally planning on going to Dubuque. That’s where I was confident I was going to end up for about three years,” Bleyl said.
That certainty held until the middle of last summer, until Moncton entered the picture. With evolving CHL eligibility rules and no prior ties to the OHL, Bleyl suddenly had an option he hadn’t seriously considered before.
A visit to New Brunswick quickly changed the equation.
“I came out here and I loved everything I saw. The facilities are unmatched,” Bleyl explained.”The culture around this team, the people, the history. I was sold almost right away.”
The pitch went beyond infrastructure. Moncton offered a competitive roster, strong leadership, and a clear vision for the season ahead. For a player looking to take the next step, it was enough to shift a long-standing plan.
“Hearing about the team we were going to have, they made an awesome case. It was really, really exciting,” Bleyl added.
It may have been a controversial decision at the time, but the youngster was able to bet on himself and has well surpassed expectations.
“It was a really difficult choice. But I ended up choosing Moncton, and it’s been paying off,” he said.
Production, Progression, and a Breakout Season
The transition into the QMJHL came with the expected challenges. Moving from prep hockey into major junior meant adjusting to a faster pace, heavier physical play, and significantly less time to make decisions with the puck. For a defenseman whose game relies on processing and mobility, those early games were about adapting quickly.
“It’s a faster, more physical level. I would say it took about seven or eight games to get fully adjusted,” Bleyl noted.
Once he settled in, his game began to take off. Bleyl worked his way into a significant role on one of the league’s most talented teams, finishing the regular season with 13 goals and 68 assists for 81 points in 63 games.
He quarterbacked one of the QMJHL’s most dangerous power plays and consistently logged top-four minutes, helping drive a Moncton offense that ranked among the league’s best.
The production was one thing. The progression underneath it was another, especially as his numbers climbed in the second half and his confidence with the puck became more apparent.
“At the beginning, my vision was kind of tight. I was telegraphing my plays,” Bleyl admitted.
As the season moved along, those reads became more refined.
“I think my perspective has broadened. I’m able to see those plays now that I wasn’t earlier,” he said.
At five-on-five, his skating became a more consistent driver of offense. His lateral mobility along the blue line allowed him to extend possessions, change shooting angles, and open space for teammates.
“My blue line mobility has improved a lot. I’m able to create plays with my feet and read my forwards better,” Bleyl added.
That combination of production and progression has vaulted Bleyl firmly into first round conversations heading into the 2026 NHL Draft, with Central Scouting ranking him 17th overall for North American skaters.
Still, he’s quick to point out that his game is far from complete.
“At the end of the day, I’m a defenseman. My job is to defend and I got a lot to learn before I can hang with the best,” Bleyl said.
Playoff Push and What Comes Next
That mindset has carried into the playoffs, where details become even more important. Moncton entered the postseason as a contender and backed it up with a first-round and second-round sweep of the Saint John Sea Dogs and Val d’Or Foreurs.
Bleyl has remained a key contributor, notching two goals and 11 points in eight games from the blue line while continuing to refine his defensive habits in tighter games.
“I think it always comes back to the players we have around us. We have a really deep team,” Bleyl said.
The Wildcats’ depth has been a defining factor, allowing players like Bleyl to stay aggressive offensively without sacrificing structure. His chemistry with high-end teammates like former 4th-overall pick Caleb Desnoyers has also contributed to his continued impact.
“We’re getting close to our potential, and I feel we still got another level with such a talented group. I’m really lucky to call them all teammates,” he added.
As his season continues, so does the conversation about what comes next. Bleyl has positioned himself as a potential late first-round or early second-round selection, while also weighing his development options beyond this year.
The NCAA route, potentially with Michigan State, offers a different timeline and development model, while another season in Moncton could see him take on an even larger role and build on his 81-point campaign.
“If I was talking to myself last summer, I’d say follow your heart. Don’t rush things more than they need to be rushed,” Bleyl said.
It’s advice shaped by experience and reflects the path he chose.
“Listen to your parents, listen to your advisor. But at the end of the day, you’ll know what’s right,” he added.
That instinct led him to Moncton, where a late decision turned into a defining season, one marked by strong production, rapid development, and a steady rise up draft boards.
Sources indicate that it wouldn’t be shocking to see Bleyl return to Moncton next season for a final year in the QMJHL, before jumping to either the NCAA or, if selected in the 1st-round in June, potentially the AHL come 2027-2028.
Either way, the young defenseman has shown an adaptability and a competitive drive that removes much doubt about his ability, no matter where he ends up.