After skyrocketing up the draft rankings, Pierre-Luc Dubois was drafted third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in June, and he now has his sights set on becoming the NHL's top rookie.
Dubois, a 6-foot-3 left winger, was the seventh-ranked North American skater on Central Scouting's midseason list, but thanks to a 99-point campaign with the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, he entered the draft ranked No. 1.
Now, with training camp around the corner, Dubois believes if he can play his way onto Columbus' roster, he could win the Calder Trophy.
"We'll see, but, I mean, if I'm in Columbus, I might have a shot for that," Dubois told Mike Morreale of NHL.com. "It's a different level, but if I am in there I think I have a good shot at it. When you are in (the NHL) you don't really think about it. You just want to play and help your team win. If you win an award like that, it is an honor."
Columbus surprised many by selecting Dubois with the third pick, as Jesse Puljujarvi - who wound up being taken one later - was slotted in behind Auston Matthews (No. 1) and Patrik Laine (No. 2) for much of the season.
