QMJHL 2026-27: Faces in different places

Photo credit: JaimeLee Gouthro

After a 32-year wait, the Chicoutimi Sagueneens finally broke through again in 2026 as they claimed the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.

And while the Cape Breton Eagles were the biggest beneficiaries of that this offseason, a number of other Atlantic Canada squads have been fine-tuning their roster ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Lucas Beckman / Liam Lefebvre / Maxim Schafer (Chicoutimi → Cape Breton

The trio of Lucas Beckman (OTT), Liam Lefebvre (LA) and Maxim Schafer (WSH) are all going to have a legitimate chance at a back-to-back QMJHL title. Through a number of moves, the trio wound up in Cape Breton where they will look to lead the Eagles to a first Q title.

After he began the season in Rouyn-Noranda – where he won 31 games in 2024-25 – Beckman was sensational for Chicoutimi January onwards. He won 13 of his 15 starts, owned a .940 save percentage and a 1.52 GAA. In the postseason, he backstopped the Sags to a title with a .918 save percentage and 1.98 GAA.

Beckman is also a two-time gold medallist with Canada having won the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2025 U18 World Championships.

Another trade deadline acquisition, Lefebvre had 30 points (17 goals) in 25 regular season contests and added 12 postseason points en route to a QMJHL title. His rookie season began in Rimouski where he 29 points in 34 games.

Schafer’s rookie season saw him record 21 goals and 49 points in Chicoutimi although injury limited him to eight postseason appearances. Schafer has also twice represented Germany at the World Juniors.

The trio – who helped the Sags to a semi-final berth at the 2026 Memorial Cup – are part of an Eagles roster that has set high expectations and includes other NHL Drafted talent in Cole Chandler (BOS) and Will Murphy (DET).

Mateo Nobert (Blainville-Boisbriand → Halifax)

After three seasons with the Armada, it’s a fresh start for Mateo Nobert (VGK) in 2026-27.

His 171 career points are the 10th most in Armada franchise history, as are his 70 goals. He joins the Mooseheads on the heels of his best season where he set career highs in goals (30), assists (48) and points (78).

In Halifax, he’ll join an offence that includes NHL prospects Shawn Carrier (COL) and Oleg Kulebiakin (TB) alongside Paul Sintschni, the second overall pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft.

Samuel Meloche (Rouyn-Noranda → Saint John)

After winning a combined 66 games over the past two seasons, Samuel Meloche (BUF) will have a fresh start in Saint John this season.

A year ago he made 50 appearances for the Huskies, won 33 games and recorded a 2.75 GAA. He then backstopped the side to the third round of the QMJHL playoffs.

Meloche was one of many offseason additions in Saint John alongside Jamie Glance and Olivier Lemieux as well as CHL Import Draft selections Matyas Cancík and Oliver Ozogany. Of course, the club’s offence will run through 2027 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Joseph.

Carter Meyer / James Scantlebury (USNTDP → Quebec)

The additions of both 2027 NHL Draft prospects Carter Meyer and James Scantebury were massive coups for the Remparts.

Meyer is a consensus Top 10 selection in preseason rankings thus far where last season he had 37 points in 42 games for the USNTDP. As for Scantlebury, he put up 39 points as a rookie in the USHL with the Chicago Steel.

They will join an offence that is led by Maddox Dagenais (STL) alongside the club’s other NHL prospect in Alexandre Taillefer (WPG).