Around the QMJHL: January 23rd-27th
Get caught up on the latest news around the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and a glimpse on what’s coming this weekend.
D’Aoust, Welsh and Hischier named the stars of the week
Alexis D’Aoust, Matthew Welsh and Nico Hischier were named the three stars of the week from January 16th to 22nd. The first star of the week is Shawinigan Cataractes forward Alexis D’Aoust. In just two games, the veteran scored three goals, amassed four assists and finished his work week with a plus-6 rating. He obtained five points in a 8-1 victory over the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
The second star was awarded to Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Matthew Welsh. The 17-year-old goalie won his two games, including one by shutout. He blanked the Sherbrooke Phoenix, stopping all 26 shots, a first for him this season. He finished his week with a 1.00 goals-against average and a 0.964 save percentage.
The third star of the week was handed to Halifax Mooseheads prospect, Nico Hischier. In three games, the 17-year-old rookie scored three goals for a total of seven points and finished his work week with a plus -2 rating. He is currently fourth among scoring leaders with 67 points in 39 games.
Mario Duhamel fired by the Olympiques
The Gatineau Olympiques dropped a bomb in the QMJHL early Monday morning, while General Manager Marcel Patenaude dismissed his head coach, Mario Duhamel. Gatineau are currently in 16th and last spot leading to the playoffs. The team holds a record of 19-24-4-0 and is only four points ahead of the Drakkar. On the down side, Baie-Comeau has two games in hand on the Olympiques, as the two teams will compete against each other this Friday and Tuesday next week. Former National Hockey League player, who played for the Canadiens and the Calgary Flames, assistant coach, Eric Landry, will occupy the position of interim head coach, replacing Duhamel until the end of the current season.
Matthew Welsh named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week
Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Matthew Welsh was named Vaughn Goaltender of the Week by the Canadian Hockey League. The 17-year-old had a 2-0-0-0 record, including a shutout victory, maintaining a 1.00 goals-against average and a 0.964 save percentage. Welsh made 53 saves including 26 in a 3-0 victory over the Sherbrooke Phoenix, where he obtained his first shutout of the season. Then, he stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced in a 5-2 victory over the Drummondville Voltigeurs. With his two wins, the team extends to five his consecutive victories sequence. The Islanders posts the fifth best league record just four points behind the leaders.
Alexis D’Aoust named CHL Player of the Week
Shawinigan Cataractes forward Alexis D’Aoust was named CHL’s Player of the Week. The 20-year-old scored three goals and amassed four assists for a total of seven points in two games and finished his week with a plus- 6 rating. Against Drummondville, D’Aoust collected five points, with two goals, matching his personal mark. He finished his week with a goal and an assist in a 5-4 victory over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Originally from Trois-Rivières, Quebec, he scored 20 goals and amassed 23 assists for 43 points in 31 games this season.
The three CHL teams presents their bids on the 100th edition of the Memorial Cup
For the 100th edition of the Memorial Cup, the CHL announced on Wednesday, details regarding formal bid presentations for the 2018 tournament. The Hamilton Bulldogs, Oshawa Generals and Regina Pats are in the race to host the 100th edition of the prestigious championship, which will run from May 17 to 27, 2018, featuring a host CHL team along with the Champions of the OHL, the Western Hockey League and the QMJHL, in the traditional round robin format. The host city will be unveiled in February 2017. In addition, the CHL has unveiled a celebration logo designed to honour the 100th edition of the Memorial Cup. This logo was presented Wednesday in downtown Toronto before the final three presentations of the candidate cities. The 99th edition of the MasterCard Memorial Cup will be hosted by the Windsor Spitfires May 18-28, 2017.
Another change in the hockey staff structure for the Olympiques
The Gatineau Olympiques announced that assistant coach, Jean-François Grégoire, was leaving his post behind the player’s bench and was appointed as a scout. The Sherbrookois will report directly to General Manager Marcel Patenaude. The new head coach, Eric Landry, has already begun the search for a new assistant.
The Huskies and the Sea Dogs in the CHL Top 10
On Wednesday, the Canadian Hockey League announced the composition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Two QMJHL teams managed to gain a place among the other CHL teams. The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies retained their fifth position, so did the Sea Dogs, which kept their ninth position. In the honourable mentions, we have the Shawinigan Cataractes and the Charlottetown Islanders making their first entry.
Upcoming games:
Friday, January 27th: 8 games
Charlottetown Islanders at Cape Breton Screaming Eagles – 7:00 pm AST
Québec Remparts at Moncton Wildcats – 7:00 pm AST
Victoriaville Tigres at Sherbrooke Phoenix – 7:00 pm EST
Gatineau Olympiques at Baie-Comeau Drakkar – 7:30 pm EST
Halifax Mooseheads at Drummondville Voltigeurs – 7:30 pm EST
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada at Rouyn-Noranda Huskies – 7:30 pm EST
Chicoutimi Saguenéens at Shawinigan Cataractes – 7:30 pm EST
Acadie-Bathurst Titan at Val-d’Or Foreurs – 7:30 pm EST
Saturday, January 28th: 7 games
Halifax Mooseheads at Sherbrooke Phoenix – 3:00 pm EST
Drummondville Voltigeurs at Rimouski Océanic – 4:00 pm EST
Québec Remparts at Cape Breton Screaming Eagles – 7:00 pm AST
Saint John Sea Dogs at Moncton Wildcats – 7:00 pm AST
Acadie-Bathurst Titan at Rouyn-Noranda Huskies – 7:00 pm EST
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada at Val-d’Or Foreurs – 7:00 pm EST
Shawinigan Cataractes at Victoriaville Tigres – 7:30 pm EST
Sunday, January 29th: 4 games
Saint John Sea Dogs at Charlottetown Islanders – 3:00 pm AST
Halifax Mooseheads at Rimouski Océanic – 3:00 pm EST
Gatineau Olympiques at Chicoutimi Saguenéens – 4:00 pm EST
Baie-Comeau Drakkar at Shawinigan Cataractes – 4:00 pm EST
