Our 20’s – Victoriaville Tigres

Throughout the summer, the QMJHL will summarize the journey of its 20-year-old players. Today, those of the Victoriaville Tigres: Olivier Houde, Francesco Iasenza and Mathis Aguilar.

Olivier Houde, left wing

A seventh-round pick of the Eagles, Houde played in the U18AAA and the Collegiate Hockey League before making his mark in Cape Breton at age 18. He scored 44 points, before following up with a personal best 61 at the age of 19. After only six games in the 2024-2025 season, the Eagles traded him to Victoriaville, where he did very well for a last-place team, with 56 points (28-28) in 58 games. After a QMJHL career of 162 points (77-85) in 200 games, Houde will play for Lindenwood University next year.

Francesco Iasenza, defenceman

Iasenza, a third-round pick of the Moncton Wildcats in 2020, spent five seasons and totaled 97 points (21-76) in 274 QMJHL games. He has shown consistency in his 18, 19 and 20-year-old seasons, with 25, 25 and 24 points. His junior stint consisted of two and a half seasons in Moncton and two and a half seasons in Victoriaville. His 24 points this season ranked him first among Tigres defencemen.

Mathis Aguilar, defenceman

Aguilar was drafted in the fourth round by the Islanders in 2020, but barely played in Charlottetown, being traded to Rimouski after only 27 games in his rookie season, at 17 years old. He packed his bags again two years later. This time, he headed to Victoriaville, which he helped play in the semifinals in 2024. This season, he recorded 15 points in 60 games, to finish his junior career with 49 points (15-34) in 240 games. The 6’3”, 208-pound defensive defenceman will study and play for the University of Alaska-Anchorage next season.

Photos: Alex Garneau