QMJHL Players of the Month | December 2022
- Forward of the Month
Zachary L’Heureux – Halifax Mooseheads – 10GP, 8G, 10A, 18Pts
The Halifax Mooseheads received a boost in late November when Zachary L’Heureux rejoined the lineup after undergoing sports hernia surgery in the off-season. The 2021 Nashville Predators first rounder hasn’t missed a beat, recording points in nine of ten December contests, including six multi-point outings. On eight occasions, he registered a +/- of even or better. The highlight of this impressive month came on New Year’s Eve, when the fourth-year veteran posted four points and a +6 rating in a road victory over the Cape Breton Eagles.
The 19-year-old from Mercier, Quebec, who is closing in on 150 regular season games played in the QMJHL, has registered 12 goals and 11 assists in just 13 games played as the calendar changes to 2023.
Honorable Mention
Zachary Bolduc – Quebec Remparts – 8GP, 10G, 7A, 17Pts
- Defenseman of the Month
Etienne Morin – Moncton Wildcats – 11GP, 5G, 10A, 15Pts
The Moncton Wildcats continue to develop a squad that they hope will be a championship contender in the seasons to come. One of the key pieces to the puzzle is Etienne Morin, who this year is developing into one of the most dangerous defensemen in the league. The 17-year-old from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec produced points in ten December games. In each of the last ten games of the month, he recorded a +/- rating of even or better. Two of his goals came on the powerplay while the seven-game point streak he enjoyed during part of the month represented a new career high.
Morin currently sits second among QMJHL blueliners with 38 points in 34 games while his 14 goals top the circuit. He is currently a “B” rated prospect for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Honorable Mention
Edouard Cournoyer – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies – 10GP, 0G, 11A, 11Pts
- Goaltender of the Month
Tye Austin – Gatineau Olympiques/Charlottetown Islanders – 4-0-0-3, 2.08 GAA, .926 SV%
No matter where Tye Austin plied his trade in the month of December, he did it in impressive fashion. The 20-year-old from Pembroke, Ontario remains unbeaten in regulation entering 2023, allowing no more than three goals in all but one of his starts to date. His December highlights include a 24-save triumph over the Rimouski Oceanic on the 2nd and a victory over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar on the 16th in which he steered aside 21 shots. Traded to the Charlottetown Islanders on the 18th, Austin earned his first victory for Jim Hulton’s squad on New Year’s Eve, stopping 27 shots in a come-from behind win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Austin, who had spent three seasons with the OHL’s Peterborough Petes before jumping to the QMJHL as an overager, enters the second half of the year with an 8-0-0-3 record and an impressive 2.32 GAA.
Honorable Mention
Patrik Hamrla – Rimouski Oceanic – 6-1-0-1, 2.10 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO
- Rookie of the Month
Jan Sprynar – Rimouski Oceanic – 9GP, 8G, 3A, 11Pts
As 2022 came to a close, Jan Sprynar began opening the floodgates. The 17-year-old from Zatec, Czechia became very familiar with the back of the opposition’s net, recording goals in five December contests. The high point for the month came on the 3rd against the Gatineau Olympiques, when he notched his first career QMJHL hat trick, including his first game-winning goal. He also took a bite out of another top-tier club on the 29th, notching a pair of goals in a triumph over the Victoriaville Tigres. Sprynar put together a seven-game point streak during the month and was a plus player six times.
A first-round selection of the Oceanic at the 2022 CHL Import Draft, Sprynar currently leads all Q rookies with 16 goals in 35 games.
Honorable Mention
Jacob Steinman – Moncton Wildcats – 3-2-0-1, 2.47 GAA, .916 SV%
