Our 18 | THREE QUESTIONS ON THE VICTORIAVILLE TIGRES

 

• How will the team compensate with the loss of high tempo offense and leadership?

The Tigres vaulted from non-playoff participant in 2022 to top five in back-to-back seasons. Much of that has hinged on pace of play and strong dressing room presences. With previous captain Maxime Pellerin, overager Tommy Cormier and defenseman Pier-Olivier Roy gone via graduation or trade, it’s up to the new crew of senior team members to lead this team to what could still be a competitive showing in a wide-open Western Conference. Up front, leading scorer Justin Larose returns, as does fellow 30-goal scorer Joseph Henneberry. Justin Gendron brings his reliable two-way game back for a fourth season while on the back end, 20-year-old Francesco Iasenza will be the anchor of a group that includes three rookies, including Finnish import Mikko Leppa, who was an offensive force with the Tappara Under-18 ranks.

 

• What should we expect in nets?

Another impact veteran who has moved on is goaltender Nathan Darveau. This opens the way for Gabriel D’Aigle to take on an increased role. The number two selection at the 2022 QMJHL Draft, D’Aigle has had the ability to adapt to the ‘Q’ over a long period of time thanks to the solid roster surrounding him. With the new challenges ahead, plus the NHL Entry Draft awaiting at season’s end, the third-year netminder will be a focal point on this squad. Also making the cut out of camp will be Jakob Hanlan, who jumped from the Gatineau Intrépide to the US College development ranks with the NCDC New Jersey Rockets in 2023-24.

 

• How far can the crew behind the bench take this roster?

For all that’s taking place on the ice, the ‘X’ factor in Victoriaville will, as usual, likely stand behind the bench. Carl Mallette has a league championship from the 2021 playoffs in his back pocket, to say nothing of the title he won in Victoriaville as a player nearly a quarter-century ago. But it was what Mallette and staff coaxed out of the 2021-22 club that may offer the greatest insight into what might lay ahead for these Tigres. That edition of the squad, thinner on talent that the one entering this season, battled to the final day of the regular season before falling. With a stronger – not to mention more seasoned – base to work with, the coaching staff is likely viewing this season as a challenge not to find out if this group is a winner, but to see how far it can go.

 

 

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2023-2024 Stats:

Team Record	43-20-4-1 — 91 Pts
Division Ranking	2nd Central
Overall Ranking	5th
Goals For	263 (5th)
Goals Against	218 (7th)
PP (Overall)	25.6% (5th)
PK (Overall)	80.1% (6th)
Leading Rookie (PTS)	Gagnon (3-4-7) Deslauriers (2-5-7)
Leading Scorers (PTS)	Larose (38-42-80)
	Cormier (30-49-79)
	Pellerin (34-39-73)
	Henneberry (34-35-69)
	Prishchepov (22-45-67)