Louis-Antoine Denault, a 19-year-old goaltender from Quebec City, was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round, 217th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft, continuing a long-running Panthers tradition of using a late pick on an oversized goaltender. Standing 6-foot-8 and 209 pounds, Denault is one of the largest goaltenders in the entire 2026 draft class.
Denault re-entered the draft this year after going unselected the year before, and he wasn’t a stranger to the Panthers organization heading into draft weekend — he attended Florida’s development camp and prospect tournament in 2025. Scouts highlight how efficiently he uses his enormous size, noting he needs to move far less than smaller goaltenders to cover the net on clean shots, along with a strong post game and the ability to enter and hinge out of the RVH with ease.
Denault played his draft season split between the Quebec Remparts and the Newfoundland Regiment of the QMJHL, posting a combined 22-15-3 record with a .912 save percentage across 42 games, continuing his development as one of the most physically imposing goaltenders to come out of the QMJHL this year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What team drafted Louis-Antoine Denault? Louis-Antoine Denault was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round, 217th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft.
What team did Louis-Antoine Denault play for before the draft? He split his draft season between the Quebec Remparts and the Newfoundland Regiment in the QMJHL.
What makes Louis-Antoine Denault’s draft selection notable? He’s one of the largest goaltenders in the entire 2026 class at 6-foot-8, continuing a Panthers tradition of drafting oversized goaltenders late in the draft, and he re-entered the draft after going unselected the year before.
What’s Louis-Antoine Denault’s playing style? Scouts describe him as efficient with his size, needing to move far less than smaller goaltenders to cover the net, with strong post play and an easy transition into the RVH.
How tall is Louis-Antoine Denault? He stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 209 pounds.
