The QMJHL, or Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, has seen minimal shifts in team dynamics recently. As the trade period closed on January 6, three teams have emerged as the primary contenders for the championship: the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, and the Moncton Wildcats.
Chicoutimi’s Solid Position
The Saguenéens have made notable improvements, making strategic player acquisitions that strengthen their roster significantly. Key additions include:
- Mavrick Lachance (forward) from Sherbrooke
- Liam Lefebvre (forward) from Rimouski
- Alexis Bernier (defenseman) from Baie-Comeau
- Tomas Lavoie (defenseman) from Cape Breton
- Jordan Tourigny (defenseman) from Shawinigan
- Lucas Beckman (goalie) from Baie-Comeau
These strategic acquisitions have placed the Saguenéens in a formidable position as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Competitors Adjusting Strategies
While both the Armada and the Wildcats have also made roster enhancements, they have not kept pace with the Saguenéens. The Armada welcomed:
- Wiliam Lacelle (goalie) from Rimouski
- Mathieu Taillefer (defenseman) from Halifax
- Jan Golicic (defenseman) from Gatineau
The Wildcats added:
- Evan Dépatie (defenseman) from Rimouski
- Gavin Cornforth (forward, free agent)
Despite these improvements, both teams have lost ground to the Saguenéens this season.
Active Trade Periods in QMJHL History
Historically, the league has seen varying levels of trade activity. The last notably active manager was Sylvain Couturier of the Titan during the 2017-18 season. His key trades helped secure the President’s Cup and Memorial Cup titles.
Interestingly, during the 2020-21 season, the Val-d’Or Foreurs made significant additions but did not win. This highlights the unpredictable nature of the league.
Future Outlook
As the season progresses, it appears that the competition for the title will primarily involve the sagacious teams: Chicoutimi, Moncton, and Boisbriand. Other teams, notably the Shawinigan Cataractes, have opted for a more cautious approach, while the Newfoundland Regiment made some strategic additions without significantly impacting their standings.
With the current trends and team strengths, it would be surprising if any team outside of the top three claimed this season’s championship.
