Who will be the MVP of 2024-25?
For all intents and purposes, the holiday break means the mid-season point has been reached in the QMJHL, with all teams having played 31 or 32 games so far. The timing is therefore ideal to talk about the candidates for the MVP title, synonymous with the Michel-Brière Trophy!
- The Top 5 names are listed in alphabetical order
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Justin Carbonneau, right wing, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
With Jonathan Fauchon now in Rimouski, the Armada’s attack will mostly run through Justin Carbonneau, who has recently celebrated his 18th birthday. The big-bodied number 8 ranks third in scoring with 45 points, including 22 goals, which puts him fourth in the League in that department. Six of Carbonneau’s goals were scored on the power play (10th), where he’s also tallied 13 assists (4th). Carbonneau leads the Q with 168 shots on goal, an average of 5.4 per game.
Caleb Desnoyers, center, Moncton Wildcats
Desnoyers is the force behind the QMJHL’s top team and currently sits seventh in the league with 42 points (17-25). Six of his 17 goals were game-winners for the Wildcats, tops in the League (his closest rivals have four). The 17-year-old also dominates his peers with a 63.3% efficiency in the face-off circle, while his +30 differential is second best in the Q, just behind teammate Julius Sumpf’s +31.
Jonathan Fauchon, center, Rimouski Océanic
It’s hard to rule out the QMJHL’s current top scorer Jonathan Fauchon, who was recently dealt from the Armada to the Océanic. The 20-year-old veteran already has 50 points in 31 games, ranking second in the League in both goals (25) and assists (25). With a +15 differential, he already boasts eight power play goals (5th) and a 58.2% face-off win rate.
Joshua Fleming, goaltender, Acadie-Bathurst Titan
The last goaltender to win the Michel-Brière Trophy was Nicola Riopel, with the 2009 Moncton Wildcats. Fleming could become his successor, with a record of 15-7-1-1 so far with the Titan. He’s second in the QMJHL in save percentage (.926%) and fourth for goals-against average (2.42) among goaltenders having played at least 15 games. Fleming shines even if his team struggles offensively. As proof, the Titan is last on the power play (11.1%) and second-to-last on offense (84 goals for). Acadie-Bathurst has only one 20-point producer, Colby Huggan, who has 24. In short, Fleming usually has to pile the saves (740, 3rd) to give his team a chance to win.
Riley Mercer, goaltender, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Like Fleming, Mercer is 20 years old, and like Fleming, he’s having the best season of his career. Mercer currently leads the QMJHL with three shutouts (tied with Baie-Comeau’s Lucas Beckman) and a save percentage of, please sit down, .937%! He’s also second in wins (15-5-1-1) and goals-against average (2.12). If Drummondville has surprised many by sitting second in the overall standings, it’s partly thanks to Mercer. If he doesn’t win the Michel-Brière Trophy, he could very well skate away with the Patrick-Roy award.
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Honorable mentions (still in alphabetical order):
Sam Oliver, center, Drummondville Voltigeurs
32 games, 28 goals (1st), 12 assists, 40 points, +8, 10 power play goals (1st), 148 shots (3rd)
Justin Poirier, right wing, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
29 games, 25 goals (2nd), 19 assists, 44 points (6th), +14, 8 power play goals (5th), 132 shots (6th)
Jacob Steinman, goaltender, Moncton Wildcats
27 games (1st), 19 wins (1st) and a record of 19-5-2-0, 2.26 GAA (3rd), .924% save percentage (3rd) and one shutout
Antonin Verreault, left wing, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
31 games, 19 goals, 27 assists (3rd), 46 points (2nd), +2, 14 power play assists (3rd), 136 shots (4th)
Luke Woodworth, center, Drummondville Voltigeurs
30 games, 10 goals, 35 assists (1st), 45 points (3rd), +4, 15 power play assists (2nd), 3 game-winning goals
Bill Zonnon, right wing, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
31 games, 16 goals, 29 assists (2nd), 45 points (3rd), +4, 16 power play assists (1st)
