Meet Blue Jackets prospect Jordan Dumais: Canada’s World Juniors scoring superstar

Credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff

No player in the Canadian Hockey League had more points than Connor Bedard’s 143 with the Regina Pats last year. But Halifax Mooseheads star Jordan Dumais came damn close.

After getting drafted 96th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022, Dumais turned the prospect world on its head with 54 goals and 140 points for the Mooseheads, his second 100-point season in a row.

Dumais has missed considerable time due to a preseason injury during Blue Jackets’ training camp and now his time with Canada. But the 19-year-old is still on pace to be in contention for the QMJHL scoring lead with around 115 points, which is still absurd in a 50-game season.

The days of junior players wrapping things up with 500 points are well past gone. But Dumais will likely wrap up his four-year junior career in the top five in scoring since 2000, and likely would have been first if it wasn’t for the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season.

Asked Jordan Dumais about wearing No. 69 in camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He smiled. Said took what he was assigned. 11/9 are two of the numbers he liked, but they're taken.

So no interesting back story.

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) December 11, 2023

Dumais has exceeded all expectations since his draft year, where he seemed to fly under the radar despite registering 109 points. But Dumais is no stranger to having doubters, either. He’s 5-foot-9, and there’s no question scouts are worried about his frame and how his game will translate to the NHL. Dumais wasn’t invited to the 2022 CHL Top Prospects Game despite his dominant 109-point season. And amid his incredible 2022-23 campaign, Dumais was cut from Canada’s roster last year, with Owen Beck getting called up when Colton Dach went down with an injury.

This time, nothing is stopping Dumais.

“He’s one of the most underrated prospects in hockey,” a scout said. “The average fan likely doesn’t know enough about him because he’s a smaller guy and he was drafted by a smaller market. But so few guys have dominated major junior like him.”

Dumais hasn’t let that get to his head. He’s calm, cool and relaxed teenager that’s focused on just getting better every day. During selection camp in Oakville, Ontario, Dumais called his hockey IQ and his playmaking as two of his best attributes.

“I think a lot of people are aware of my offensive skills,” Dumais said. “But I’m here to prove that I can do more and play more intense and more gritty.”

Dumais is as close to an “elite” playmaker as you’ll get at this level. He had 70 assists in his draft year, 86 last year and is on pace to crack 80 again this year. But he deserves some love for his shot, which translated into 54 goals in 64 games last year. Heck, he had a hat-trick and two assists in his QMJHL season debut back in late October.

“For a smaller player, he puts a ton of power behind his release,” a scout said. “He picks his spots. He knows where he wants his shot. He’s a pass-first guy, but he’ll shoot from just about everywhere.”

Dumais shone on Canada’s second line alongside Toronto’s Fraser Minten and top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Macklin Celebrini. Together, the three bring skill that can match up against any line in the tournament. Dumais, specifically, looks like the setup guy who can lure defenders in before making a slick move and creating a scoring chance.

“Don’t be surprised if he leads the tournament in assists,” another scout said.

There are valid concerns about Dumais’ long-term future. Will his skating improve to the point where it can offset his smaller frame? Will he more of a pure power-play producer at the next level? There’s no shortage of players who dominated the scoring charts in the QMJHL and failed to make an impact in the NHL.

But that’s a topic for another day. There’s no player at the 2024 World Junior Championship with a more decorated scoring record over the past three years, and it seems unlikely we’ll see anything like it for a while. As far as U-20 players come, Dumais is one of the best. And Canada’s national team wants in on the action.

Discover Betano.ca – a premium Sports Betting and Online Casino experience. Offering numerous unique and dynamic betting options along with diverse digital and live casino games, Betano is where The Game Starts Now. 19+. Please play responsibly.

Meet Blue Jackets prospect Jordan Dumais: Canada’s World Juniors scoring superstar

Recently by Steven Ellis