CHL to NHL: QMJHL champion Bourgault debuts with Senators

Former Shawinigan Cataractes forward Xavier Bourgault made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 27.

In a 7-5 loss to Toronto, Bourgault played 6:43 and tallied three shots on goal.

The 33rd overall pick in the 2018 QMJHL Draft, Bourgault played 197 games for the club and recorded 206 points (96 goals). In his final season in 2021-22, he had a career high 36 goals and 75 points and helped lead Shawinigan to a QMJHL title and a third place finish at the 2022 Memorial Cup.

As a pro, the 23-year-old has played 210 games in the AHL with Bakersfield and Belleville.

Selected 22nd overall in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Oilers, he was traded to the Sens in July 2024.