Eagles Open Historic 30th Season Against Rival Mooseheads
The wait is over for Cape Breton Eagles fans — Year 30 is here, and expectations are high as Cape Breton opens its season against the rival Halifax Mooseheads.
Earlier this week, the Cape Breton Eagles were ranked No. 2 in the CHL’s pre-season rankings.. It’s a new-look team with 15 new faces in Cape Breton — six players acquired via trade, four free agents from the USA, and five rookies who were members of the 2025 draft class.
While the Eagles will have to wait for some of their new stars to arrive due to stints at NHL training camps, a pair of 19-year-old forwards acquired from Shawinigan — point-per-game player Elias Schneider and Boston draft pick Cole Chandler — are expected to debut tonight. Eagles fans should also get their first look at two-way defender Alonso Gosselin, who captured a QMJHL title with Chicoutimi last season.
The bulk of the free-agent class is up front, with 19-year-old Jack Broderick and a pair of 18-year-olds, Brayden Reynolds and JT Rothstein. On the backend, 18-year-old Tyler Roccas has also been signed.
The 2025 draft class is represented at each position with five 17-year-old players, primarily on the backend with Noah Levy, Easton Anello, and Membertou’s Jax Ginnish. Up front, Drew Murphy will make his QMJHL debut this year, while Sam Berthiaume, fresh off winning gold as a backup goaltender at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, will be between the pipes. Berthiaume is expected to carry the load in net this weekend with Lucas Beckman away at Ottawa Senators camp.
While currently unavailable due to injury, it was a big week for Eagles defenseman Will Murphy, who was named the new Eagles captain. Brothers Romain and Elliot Litalien, along with Reece Peitzsche, will serve as alternate captains at home. On the road, Gosselin, Noah Jettelson, and newly acquired Liam Lefebvre will wear the letter “A.”
In addition to Beckman and Lefebvre (Los Angeles), Maxim Schäfer remains away at Washington’s training camp. Among the other players making up the Eagles lineup this season are sophomore forwards Jacob Hartlin, Derek Andrews, and Adam Klaus. On the backend, Aiden McCullough and Jacob De Ladurantaye are back for their 19-year-old seasons.
Tonight’s opposition is a very talented Halifax team that is also expected to make noise this season. While also missing players due to NHL camp, the Mooseheads bring a capable roster, including 30-goal scorer Quinn Kennedy and one of the league’s top 20-year-old defensemen, their team captain Owen Phillips.
It was a big week for Halifax defenseman Malik L’Italien, who was one of the first six players named to the QMJHL’s Top Prospects Game. Another 17-year-old to watch is Paul Sintschnig on this Halifax club, who was taken with the second overall pick in the CHL Import Draft and is debuting tonight.
Here’s what else you need to know ahead of tonight’s game!
BUY TICKETS: https://shorturl.at/nrSJv
50/50: https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/cbeagles
Venue: Centre 200, Sydney, NS
Puck drop: 7 PM AST
Web coverage: https://www.flohockey.tv/
Radio Coverage: 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
Twitter: @cbehockey
Live stats: https://chl.ca/lhjmq-eagles/gamecentre/32715/
