ROUYN-NORANDA, Que. — The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is changing its draft lottery system to determine the order of selection among its bottom five clubs, commissioner Gilles Courteau announced Wednesday.

Previously only the two bottom clubs in the 18-team league took part in the lottery. The top 16 make the playoffs, so the new system will include the bottom two plus three playoffs teams.

Under the new system, the 18th place team will have nine chances, 17th place will have six, 16th will have three, 15th will have two and 14th will have one.

The last-place team will be given the third overall pick if it does not draw either of the top two selections. In cases where the last-place team is awarded the third pick, the next-to-last team gets the fourth overall pick if it has not already been drawn.

The lottery will be supervised by four governors chosen from among the other 13 teams.

The QMJHL season opens Thursday when the defending champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies play host to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.