Wildcats Smith, Bleyl win Golden Puck awards
After announcing the finalists yesterday, the QMJHL is proud to unveil today the winners of eight individual trophies.
“And the Golden Puck goes to…”
- David-Desharnais Trophy, Most sportsmanlike player while being effective
Winner: Alex Huang, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
In his third QMJHL season, all with the Saguenéens, Huang raised his personal best from 40 to 70 points, finishing second among Q defensemen in scoring. His 11 goals and 59 assists were also career highs. Huang also ranked second among his peers with a +58 rating and 32 power-play points. Used in all situations, the Nashville Predators prospect was penalized for just 14 minutes this season.
In his third QMJHL season, all with the Saguenéens, Huang raised his personal best from 40 to 70 points, finishing second among Q defensemen in scoring. His 11 goals and 59 assists were also career highs. Huang also ranked second among his peers with a +58 rating and 32 power-play points. Used in all situations, the Nashville Predators prospect was penalized for just 14 minutes this season.
Finalists: Samuel Beauchemin, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Philippe Veilleux, Val-d’Or Foreurs
- Guy-Carbonneau Trophy, Top defensive forward
Winner: Gabe Smith, Moncton Wildcats
This was a breakout year for Smith, who improved his personal best from 39 to 77 points, ranking third among the high-powered Wildcats. Of his 34 goals, 18 came on the power play, a league-high. Smith was frequently matched against top opposing players and used his imposing 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame to disrupt opponents. He also scored two shorthanded goals and was the Wildcats’ most-used center in the faceoff circle (1,170), where he posted a 58.9% success rate.
This was a breakout year for Smith, who improved his personal best from 39 to 77 points, ranking third among the high-powered Wildcats. Of his 34 goals, 18 came on the power play, a league-high. Smith was frequently matched against top opposing players and used his imposing 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame to disrupt opponents. He also scored two shorthanded goals and was the Wildcats’ most-used center in the faceoff circle (1,170), where he posted a 58.9% success rate.
Finalists: Thomas Desruisseaux, Chicoutimi Saguenéens, and Thomas Verdon, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
- Kevin-Lowe Trophy, Top defensive defenseman
Winner: Félix Plamondon, Shawinigan Cataractes
Plamondon has developed steadily over four years, becoming a reliable presence on the Cataractes’ blue line. Along the way, he increased his point totals from 15 to 21 to 32 over the last three seasons. Of his 32 points this season, 29 came at even strength. He also posted a +46 rating, by far the best in Shawinigan, ahead of Chad Lygistakos’ +31. Without flash, Plamondon has become head coach Daniel Renaud’s go-to player to shut down the opposition’s top forwards.
Plamondon has developed steadily over four years, becoming a reliable presence on the Cataractes’ blue line. Along the way, he increased his point totals from 15 to 21 to 32 over the last three seasons. Of his 32 points this season, 29 came at even strength. He also posted a +46 rating, by far the best in Shawinigan, ahead of Chad Lygistakos’ +31. Without flash, Plamondon has become head coach Daniel Renaud’s go-to player to shut down the opposition’s top forwards.
Finalists: Peteris Bulans, Chicoutimi Saguenéens, and Adam Fortier-Gendron, Moncton Wildcats
- Maurice-Filion Trophy, General Manager of the Year
Winner: Yanick Jean, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Jean and the Saguenéens had high expectations for 2025–2026, a season they began building during the 2022 and 2023 drafts. Jean made a key move last summer by selecting Maxim Schäfer in the CHL Import Draft. Then, during the holiday period, he made several impactful acquisitions: Tomas Lavoie, Alexis Bernier, and Jordan Tourigny on defense; Lucas Beckman in goal; as well as Liam Lefebvre and Mavrick Lachance up front. The Saguenéens were a dominant force in the second half of the season but finished just one point behind Moncton atop the overall standings.Finalists: Gordie Dwyer, Newfoundland Regiment, and Taylor MacDougall, Moncton Wildcats
Jean and the Saguenéens had high expectations for 2025–2026, a season they began building during the 2022 and 2023 drafts. Jean made a key move last summer by selecting Maxim Schäfer in the CHL Import Draft. Then, during the holiday period, he made several impactful acquisitions: Tomas Lavoie, Alexis Bernier, and Jordan Tourigny on defense; Lucas Beckman in goal; as well as Liam Lefebvre and Mavrick Lachance up front. The Saguenéens were a dominant force in the second half of the season but finished just one point behind Moncton atop the overall standings.Finalists: Gordie Dwyer, Newfoundland Regiment, and Taylor MacDougall, Moncton Wildcats
- Michael-Bossy Trophy, Top professional prospect
Winner: Maddox Dagenais, Québec Remparts
After missing 21 games due to injury in his rookie season, Dagenais truly broke out this year with 62 points in as many games, ranking 34th in QMJHL scoring. The Remparts’ second-leading scorer, he led his team with 10 goals and 25 power-play points. His 273 shots ranked fourth in the league. Dagenais should be a first-round NHL pick in June.
After missing 21 games due to injury in his rookie season, Dagenais truly broke out this year with 62 points in as many games, ranking 34th in QMJHL scoring. The Remparts’ second-leading scorer, he led his team with 10 goals and 25 power-play points. His 273 shots ranked fourth in the league. Dagenais should be a first-round NHL pick in June.
Finalists: Tommy Bleyl, Moncton Wildcats, and Egor Shilov, Victoriaville Tigres
- Michel-Bergeron Trophy, Offensive Rookie of the Year
Winner: Egor Shilov, Victoriaville Tigres
Shilov led all rookies and finished seventh in QMJHL scoring with 82 points in 63 games. Among first-year players, he ranked second with 32 goals and third with 31 power-play points, while also winning 54.8% of his faceoffs. Shilov is considered a potential first-round pick at the next NHL Draft.
Shilov led all rookies and finished seventh in QMJHL scoring with 82 points in 63 games. Among first-year players, he ranked second with 32 goals and third with 31 power-play points, while also winning 54.8% of his faceoffs. Shilov is considered a potential first-round pick at the next NHL Draft.
Finalists: Alexis Joseph, Saint John Sea Dogs, and Alexey Vlasov, Victoriaville Tigres
- Paul-Dumont Trophy, Personality of the Year
Winner: Glenn Stanford, Newfoundland Regiment
If the Regiment’s inaugural season was a success, it is in large part due to its president, Glenn Stanford. With extensive knowledge of the St. John’s market and hockey overall—having worked in the AHL and ECHL—Stanford and his team led the Regiment to a QMJHL record for a first season, averaging 5,233 fans per game. On the ice, the team finished third in the Eastern Conference and sixth overall. There is a real QMJHL buzz in St. John’s, and Glenn Stanford is at the heart of it.
If the Regiment’s inaugural season was a success, it is in large part due to its president, Glenn Stanford. With extensive knowledge of the St. John’s market and hockey overall—having worked in the AHL and ECHL—Stanford and his team led the Regiment to a QMJHL record for a first season, averaging 5,233 fans per game. On the ice, the team finished third in the Eastern Conference and sixth overall. There is a real QMJHL buzz in St. John’s, and Glenn Stanford is at the heart of it.
Finalists: Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton Wildcats, and Alexis Joseph, Saint John Sea Dogs
- Raymond-Lagacé Trophy, Defensive Rookie of the Year
Winner: Tommy Bleyl, Moncton Wildcats
Bleyl finished second among league rookies with 81 points in 63 games, setting a QMJHL record for a rookie defenseman. The previous mark of 77 was held by Gaston Therrien and had stood for 48 years. His 68 assists led the league. Among defensemen, Bleyl outpaced his closest competitor, Alex Huang, by 11 points. After helping the Wildcats win a second consecutive regular-season championship, he will be eligible for the NHL Draft in June. Many experts see him as a potential first-round pick.
Bleyl finished second among league rookies with 81 points in 63 games, setting a QMJHL record for a rookie defenseman. The previous mark of 77 was held by Gaston Therrien and had stood for 48 years. His 68 assists led the league. Among defensemen, Bleyl outpaced his closest competitor, Alex Huang, by 11 points. After helping the Wildcats win a second consecutive regular-season championship, he will be eligible for the NHL Draft in June. Many experts see him as a potential first-round pick.
Finalists: Jan Larys, Drummondville Voltigeurs, and Malik L’Italien, Halifax Mooseheads
