Meet the New Jersey Devils 2024 draft class

Oh boy, seventh-round picks... Are they really useful? Are they just fleeting hope? Certainly, each year some seventh-round draftees make it to the NHL, but that’s more the exception than the rule.

So why make all those trades to acquire five seventh-round picks? GM MatsLP clearly had a plan: "We wanted Quebecers in our organization, yes, it's evident because I'm from 'La belle province,' but also because we believe the QMJHL is overlooked by other teams. We think we can find exceptional talent there. It’s certainly a 'boom or bust' situation, but we prefer to take a chance with our talented Quebecers rather than drafting a giant from the depths of Siberia. Also, I want to point out that we drafted a Quebecer from the USHL and a promising small offensive defenseman who was overlooked in last year’s draft and is playing in the NCAA. So, the seventh round allows us to take calculated risks."

Pick #200 

Name: Samuel St-Hilaire

Position: G

Height: 6’2’’

Weight: 185 lbs

Place of birth: St-Elzéar-de-Beauce, Qc, Canada

Team: Sherbrooke Phoenix

Samuel surprised everyone a bit by making his way onto the Canadian U20 team at the World Championship this year. He participated in the preparatory games but had to settle for a reserve role. The rest of his season was marked by injuries, but we believe Samuel is ready to move on to the next stage, and that is his wish as well. In any case, he can take his time; our goaltending depth is well-stocked, and we have the luxury to wait.

Pick #214

Name: Xavier Veilleux

Position: D

Height: 6’0’’

Weight: 190 lbs

Place of birth: L’Ancienne-Lorette, Qc, Canada

Team: Muskegon Lumberjack

Xavier was pursued by QMJHL teams numerous times, but he chose the USHL, as he wants to continue his path at Harvard in the NCAA. His studies are important to him, and we appreciate that mindset. As a player, he is a "jack of all trades," good at various aspects of the game without having a particular standout skill. We hope he will develop offensively this year, as he is expected to spend another season in the USHL before joining the Crimson.

Pick #217

Name: Antonin Verreault

Position: LW

Height: 5’8’’

Weight: 163 lbs

Place of birth: Mirabel Qc, Canada

Team: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

Antonin won the QMJHL scoring title last year. He dominated the Cecchini circuit after experiencing difficult seasons previously, particularly due to injuries. He is a hockey enthusiast who lives and breathes the sport, perhaps even too much according to those around him. It’s hard to predict what lies ahead for him in the coming years, but it will likely be a long road, possibly starting in the ECHL. Similar to Alexandre Blais, our 4th-round pick, his physicality will be a limiting factor in his development.

Pick #220

Name: Jake Livanavage

Position: D

Height: 5’10’’

Weight: 174 lbs

Place of birth: Gilbert, AZ, USA

Team: Univ. of North Dakota

The only two freshman defensemen in the NCAA who had more points than Livanavage last season were Zeev Buium from Denver, with 50 points, and Artyom Levshunov from Michigan State, with 35 points. Minnesota's Sam Rinzel finished fourth nationally among rookie defensemen with 28 points, just one point behind Livanavage, who had 29 points. So, even though Jake was an overager, we were surprised to see him still available in the 7th round. Like Blais and Verreault, his physical stature is definitely the reason for his drop to the 220th pick, as he is 5 feet 10 inches tall. However, we believe in this type of player, having drafted several like him in recent years, such as Ty Smith and Lane Hutson.

Pick #222

Name: Mathis Rousseau

Position: G

Height: 5’11’’

Weight: 172 lbs

Place of birth: Montreal, QC, Canada

Team: Halifax Mooseheads

The starting goalie for the Canadian U20 team available at pick 222? Really? We're taking him! Okay, we understand that goalies who are 5 feet 11 inches tall are considered a rarity in the NHL, even though Juuse Saros is an exception to the rule. Still, let's remember that Chris Osgood was phenomenal at 5 feet 10 inches! Back to Mathis, for the skeptics, check out his spectacular saves at the last World Championship (there’s one in particular that leaves King Henrik Lundqvist speechless). In short, we believe Mathis Rousseau will be the next exception to the rule, and we're very pleased to add him to our goaltending squad.