THREE QUESTIONS ON THE RIMOUSKI OCEANIC

• Who’s back from a memorable run?

The 2024-25 campaign was yet another chapter in the rich history of Oceanic hockey. As Memorial Cup hosts, they didn’t rest on their laurels, reaching the QMJHL Final for the sixth time in franchise history. Though much of that squad has been lost to trades or graduation from the League, a few key pieces remain as the club enters its newest phase. Offensively, the top 11 scorers from last year’s club have departed. This will bring the speedy Lou Levesque into a more prominent role. Defenseman Jack Martin, like Levesque an acquisition from Halifax last season, is back after playing a prominent role during the Oceanic’s cup run last Spring. Between the pipes, the club is clearly playing from a position of strength as both netminders from the previous campaign, Mathis Langevin and William Lacelle, are back in blue and white.

• How much impact will the new guys have?

It’s time for the faithful in Rimouski to learn new names. A lot of new names. All of them will be jockeying for time in the lineup for a club with plenty of it up for grabs. Emile Duquet and Luke Patterson, brought over in deals with Chicoutimi and Cape Breton, respectively, provide veteran presence up front and in the room. A pair of import wingers, Raphael Achermann from Switzerland and Dovydas Jukna of Lithuania, who has also been playing in Switzerland, are set to make their ‘Q’ debuts while 16-year-olds Zach Arsenault and Maxwell Branton offer a glimpse of the future for the ‘Nics. 2025 QMJHL second-rounder Justin Beaulieu and 18-year-old Swiss Luca Nappiot are two of five rookies on the blue line. Also joining forces following a deal with Val-d’Or is veteran two-way presence Evan Depatie. Given the situation it’s in, the Oceanic is attempting to make calculated moves to reap as much quality as it can out of quantity while restocking the roster.

• What will this team look like by the second week of January?

Historically, the Oceanic has never been afraid to give up any and all veteran assets in an attempt to rebuild. Sometimes, the bottom has fallen out completely as a result. Usually, the club will have at worst an extended playoff run or two or, at best, a shiny new banner or two to hoist to the Colisée rafters at the end of the process. And typically, there’s the opportunity to watch at least one truly standout player – sometimes with names like Crosby or Lafreniere – thrown into the mix. In short, it’s a plan that works, more often than not. Are we on our way to the next great “Rimouski-style” rebuild? Perhaps. But there’s one thing to remember; even if the lows reach some pretty tough depths, if there’s another banner or two headed into those unique rafters in a few years’ time, try to act surprised!

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2024-2025 Stats: