Salmon Arm, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are extremely proud to announce that defenceman Joaquim Lemay was selected by the Washington Capitals in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday, 119th overall.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s fun to spend this time with my family,” Lemay said during the Capitals media availability. “I kind of had a little idea, but you never really know for sure if you’re going to be drafted, so pretty exciting.”
Lemay, from St.-Pierre-les-Becquets, Que. recorded 10 points — all assists — in 15 games during the 2021 BCHL ‘Pod’ season. Those 10 assists ranked tied for second amongst rookie defencemen in the BCHL. In the extended training camp season last fall, the 18-year-old notched a goal and five assists in 13 games.
Prior to joining Salmon Arm, Lemay played the 2019-20 season at Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, R.I. where he once again put up impressive offensive numbers, finishing his year with 26 points in 63 games.
Lemay was the only player selected directly from the BCHL in the 2021 NHL Draft.
The left-shot defenceman is the first Silverbacks player to be drafted directly from the BCHL since Josh Manson was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in 2011. Lemay is set to play NCAA Div-1 hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha after his time in the Shuswap.
