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CHL unveils players ranked No. 20 through No. 11 on Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:43:01 +0000

The Top 50 players were selected through an initial media vote, with the final order determined by a weighted combination of media and fan voting. After unveiling players ranked No. 50 through No. 21 over the past three weeks, the CHL continues the countdown today, with full player bios available at chl.ca/chl50.

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to unveil the players ranked No. 20 through No. 11 on its Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list (see below), a marquee initiative of the CHL’s 50th anniversary season. The countdown recognizes the greatest players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) since 1975-76, celebrating the stars who have defined major junior hockey over the past five decades. As part of the initiative, a panel of media members first selected the Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years. The final ranking order was then determined using a weighted formula that combined media and fan voting to rank the players from No. 1 through No. 50. After unveiling players ranked No. 50 through No. 21 over the past three weeks, the CHL’s countdown continues today with one of the most accomplished 10-player groups on the list. The players ranked No. 20 through No. 11 feature a balanced mix of elite forwards, franchise goaltenders, and era-defining defencemen, including four players from the OHL, four from the QMJHL, and two from the WHL. The group includes eight Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, four Memorial Cup champions, two CHL Player of the Year recipients, two No. 1 NHL Draft picks, and two Triple Gold Club members. It also features the two highest-ranked goaltenders on the CHL Top 50 list in Martin Brodeur (No. 17) and Patrick Roy (No. 16), two of the most accomplished netminders in hockey history. Four of the nine defencemen named to the full Top 50 also appear in this range: Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger, Paul Coffey, and Scott Niedermayer. KEY FACTS & MEDIA NOTES: CHL TOP 50 PLAYERS KEY FACTS & MEDIA NOTES: PLAYERS RANKED NO. 20 THROUGH NO. 11 MEDIA RESOURCES (PHOTOS, LOGOS, VIDEOS & MORE) PLAYERS RANKED NO. 50 THROUGH 41 PLAYERS RANKED NO. 40 THROUGH 31 PLAYERS RANKED NO. 30 THROUGH 21

20. Pat LaFontaine, Forward | QMJHL | Verdun Juniors (1982-83) | New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres & New York Rangers (1983-98): LaFontaine authored one of the most historic rookie seasons in CHL history with Verdun in 1982-83, producing 234 points in 70 games — including 104 goals and 130 assists — to establish CHL single-season rookie records in all three categories. He led the QMJHL in scoring, recorded at least one point in 69 of 70 games, captured QMJHL MVP and Playoff MVP honours, and was named CHL Player of the Year after helping Verdun win the QMJHL championship. Selected third overall in 1983, LaFontaine went on to record six straight 40-goal seasons in the NHL, won the Bill Masterton Trophy, posted a Buffalo Sabres franchise-record 148 points in 1992-93, and finished with 1,013 career points on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Internationally, he won the 1996 World Cup of Hockey with the United States and represented his country at two Olympic Winter Games.

19. Al MacInnis, Defenceman | OHL | Kitchener Rangers (1980-83) | Calgary Flames & St. Louis Blues (1980-2004): MacInnis became a star on the Kitchener blue line after beginning his CHL career with two WHL games for Regina, helping the Rangers win back-to-back OHL championships and the 1982 Memorial Cup. He earned OHL First All-Star Team honours in consecutive seasons and captured the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s top defenceman in 1982-83 after tying Bobby Orr’s OHL record for goals by a defenceman with 38. Drafted 15th overall by Calgary in 1981, MacInnis became one of the most feared shooters and productive defencemen in NHL history, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy while leading the Flames to the Stanley Cup in 1989 and later capturing the Norris Trophy with St. Louis. A Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, he retired with 1,274 points in 1,416 NHL games. Internationally, he won Canada Cup gold in 1991 and Olympic gold with Canada in 2002. 18. Chris Pronger, Defenceman | OHL | Peterborough Petes (1991-93) | Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks & Philadelphia Flyers (1993-2012): Pronger’s dominance took shape in Peterborough, where the towering defenceman posted 139 points across two regular seasons before delivering one of the greatest playoff runs ever by an OHL blueliner. In 1992-93, he recorded 40 points in 21 playoff games — still the OHL single-playoff scoring record for a defenceman — while leading the Petes to the OHL championship. That season, he was named OHL and CHL Defenceman of the Year, earned First All-Star Team honours in both, and captured the CHL Plus/Minus Award. Selected second overall in 1993, Pronger became one of the NHL’s defining defencemen, winning the Hart and Norris trophies, capturing the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007, and earning recognition as one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players. Internationally, he became a Triple Gold Club member with Olympic gold, World Championship gold, and a Stanley Cup.

17. Martin Brodeur, Goaltender | QMJHL | Saint-Hyacinthe Lasers (1989-92) | New Jersey Devils & St. Louis Blues (1991-2015): Brodeur developed into one of hockey’s greatest goaltenders with Saint-Hyacinthe, where he spent three seasons in the QMJHL and earned QMJHL All-Rookie and Second All-Star Team honours. His junior career helped lay the foundation for one of the most decorated goaltending résumés in hockey history. Selected 20th overall by New Jersey in 1990, Brodeur became the NHL’s all-time leader among goaltenders in wins, shutouts, and games played. He won three Stanley Cups with the Devils, four Vezina Trophies, five William M. Jennings Trophies, and the Calder Trophy, while also being named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players. Internationally, Brodeur won Olympic gold with Canada in 2002 and 2010 and backstopped Canada to the 2004 World Cup of Hockey title.

16. Patrick Roy, Goaltender | QMJHL | Granby Bisons (1982-85) | Montreal Canadiens & Colorado Avalanche (1984-2003): Roy’s path to greatness began with the Granby Bisons, where he became a workhorse in the crease during three QMJHL seasons. Facing heavy shot volumes throughout his junior career, Roy earned QMJHL Third All-Star Team honours as a 17-year-old and continued to anchor Granby before making the jump to professional hockey. His junior legacy remains firmly tied to the QMJHL, where he was later inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame and had the QMJHL Goaltender of the Year award named in his honour. In the NHL, Roy became one of the most decorated goaltenders in history, winning four Stanley Cups, three Conn Smythe Trophies — the most by any player — and three Vezina Trophies. A Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Roy was the first NHL goaltender to reach 500 wins and 1,000 games played, and he remains one of the sport’s greatest playoff performers.

15. John Tavares, Forward | OHL | Oshawa Generals & London Knights (2005-09) | New York Islanders & Toronto Maple Leafs (2009-Present): The first player ever granted exceptional status into the OHL, Tavares entered the league at 15 and quickly became one of the most prolific scorers in CHL history. He won OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honours in 2005-06, then erupted for 72 goals and 134 points the following season to capture the Red Tilson Trophy as OHL MVP and become the youngest CHL Player of the Year winner ever. Tavares later won the Eddie Powers Trophy as OHL scoring champion, earned the CHL Top Prospect Award, and became the OHL’s all-time goals leader with 215. Selected first overall by the New York Islanders in 2009, Tavares has gone on to captain both the Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs while reaching the 1,000-game, 1,000-point, and 500-goal milestones. Internationally, he won two World Juniors gold medals, Olympic gold in 2014, and World Cup gold in 2016. 14. Jarome Iginla, Forward | WHL | Kamloops Blazers (1993-96) | Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche & Los Angeles Kings (1995-2017): Undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, Iginla became a Kamloops Blazers icon, helping the club win back-to-back WHL championships and Memorial Cup titles in 1994 and 1995. He then delivered a dominant 1995-96 season with 136 points in 63 games, earning WHL Player of the Year honours along with CHL First Team All-Star recognition. In 183 regular-season WHL games, Iginla totaled 236 points and added 56 more in 56 playoff contests. Drafted 11th overall by Dallas in 1995, Iginla became the Calgary Flames’ all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, while winning the Art Ross Trophy, two Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies, and surpassing both 600 goals and 1,300 points. A Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, he was also a cornerstone for Canada internationally, winning World Juniors gold, World Championship gold, World Cup gold, and two Olympic gold medals.

13. Nathan MacKinnon, Forward | QMJHL | Halifax Mooseheads (2011-13) | Colorado Avalanche (2013-Present): MacKinnon was a game-breaking force with the Halifax Mooseheads, recording 153 points in 102 regular-season games and adding 61 points in 34 playoff contests. In 2012-13, he helped lead Halifax to the QMJHL championship before delivering a defining Memorial Cup performance, posting 13 points in five games and earning tournament MVP honours after a championship-game hat trick against Portland. Selected first overall by Colorado in 2013 as the first Mooseheads alumnus ever taken No. 1, MacKinnon has become one of the NHL’s most dominant players. He has won the Stanley Cup, Hart Trophy, Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award, highlighted by a 140-point season in 2023-24, and reached his 1,000th NHL point in 2025. Internationally, he has won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and IIHF World Championship, and was named MVP of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off after leading Canada in goals.

12. Paul Coffey, Defenceman | OHL | Kingston Canadians, Soo Greyhounds & Kitchener Rangers (1977-80) | Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes & Boston Bruins (1980-2001): Coffey’s Hall of Fame career was launched in the OHL, where he developed into one of the most dynamic offensive defencemen the sport has ever seen. After beginning with Kingston, he broke out with the Soo Greyhounds in 1978-79, recording 89 points and setting a single-season franchise record for assists by a defenceman that he still shares. He closed his junior career in 1979-80 by totaling 102 points between Soo and Kitchener, becoming one of only a select group of OHL defencemen since 1975 to reach 100 points in a season. Drafted sixth overall by Edmonton in 1980, Coffey became a prototype for the modern high-octane defenceman, winning four Stanley Cups and three Norris Trophies while setting the NHL single-season record for goals by a defenceman with 48. He retired with 1,531 NHL points, the second-most by a defenceman in league history. Internationally, he won three Canada Cups with Canada. 11. Scott Niedermayer, Defenceman | WHL | Kamloops Blazers (1989-92) | New Jersey Devils & Anaheim Ducks (1991-2010): Niedermayer’s championship pedigree was forged with the Kamloops Blazers, where he became one of the WHL’s premier two-way defencemen. He posted 69 points as a 16-year-old rookie in 1989-90 while helping Kamloops win the WHL title, then followed with a career-best 82 points in 1990-91 while earning WHL and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year honours. In 1991-92, Niedermayer helped the Blazers capture another WHL championship and their first Memorial Cup, assisting on the Cup-winning goal with 14.6 seconds remaining and earning Stafford Smythe Trophy honours as Memorial Cup MVP. Selected third overall by New Jersey in 1991, he went on to win four Stanley Cups, the Norris Trophy, and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2007. A Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Niedermayer also became one of hockey’s ultimate winners internationally, capturing World Junior gold, two Olympic gold medals, World Championship gold, and World Cup gold. He remains one of only two players in hockey history, alongside Corey Perry, to win the Memorial Cup, World Juniors, Olympic gold, IIHF World Championship, World Cup of Hockey, and Stanley Cup. The Top 10 players on the CHL’s Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list will be revealed over the coming weeks. _ CHL Top 50 Evaluation Criteria and Eligibility The CHL’s Top 50 Players were selected by a panel of more than 40 media members who submitted ranked 1–50 ballots guided by a weighted evaluation framework designed to ensure consistency across eras. Panelists considered a player’s impact beyond the CHL — including NHL and international success, major awards and championships, and Hall of Fame recognition — alongside on-ice achievement in the Member Leagues, reflecting what players accomplished during their time in the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL through production, individual honours, team success, and sustained dominance. Selections also accounted for historical significance, recognizing milestones, era-defining influence, generational impact, and lasting contributions to CHL history. To be eligible, players must have competed in at least one full season in the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL during the CHL’s 50-year history beginning in 1975–76; for players who competed in 1975–76 and also played prior to that season, their entire CHL career was considered when evaluating on-ice accomplishments.

QMJHL issues update

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:36:27 +0000

Following the Saguenéens' disallowed goal on Wednesday night, the QMJHL would like to clarify a few points. To ensure consistency across the league, the QMJHL uses an identical video replay system for its video judges and on-ice officials in all 18 of its arenas. However, due to technical limitations, this system cannot utilize all of the web broadcaster’s camera angles. Furthermore, the QMJHL wants to ensure that the footage used for reviews is indeed controlled by the league so that the decision-making process remains independent of the teams involved. In yesterday’s specific case, the camera located behind the net was not accessible to the video judge and officials. The footage they had access to therefore did not allow them to confirm, beyond any doubt, that the puck had crossed the goal line. The QMJHL is aware of the limitations of the current system and was already in the process of implementing more effective technology league-wide for the 2026-2027 season, which will allow access to additional cameras for the benefit of our players, teams, officials and fans.

2026 QMJHL Cup | Gatorade Team of the Tournament

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:03:33 +0000

Here are the QMJHL prospects who earned a spot on the Gatorade Team of the Tournament thanks to their outstanding performances during the final stage of the 2026 QMJHL Cup. _ FORWARDS:

Dylan CURRIE | Châteauguay Grenadiers | 4GP-3G-2A
Damien LEDUC | Châteauguay Grenadiers | 4GP-3G-1A
Nathan RIENDEAU | Collège Charles-Lemoyne Riverains | 4GP-3G-2A

DEFENSEMEN:

Nathan FROST | Marie-Rivier Canimex | 4GP-2G-0A
Lawrence WILLIAMS | Weeks Major Midgets | 4GP-0G-2A

GOALTENDER:

Édouard SALVAS | St-Hyacinthe Gaulois | 2-0-0-0, 0.951%, 1.44GAA

_ The three-day tournament, held from April 23-25, saw Team Frédérick-Gaudreau (3-0-1-0) win the Cup thanks to a 3-2 shootout win over Team Anthony-Beauvillier (2-1-0-1). For the first time in QMJHL Cup history, the event was held at the Centre Gervais Auto, home of the Shawinigan Cataractes. CLICK HERE for the full tournament stats.

Team Gaudreau lifts the 2026 QMJHL Cup thanks to a shootout win!

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:56:55 +0000

Team Frédérick-Gaudreau skated to a 3-2 shootout win over Team Anthony-Beauvillier to claim the 2026 QMJHL Cup. _ To rewatch the game, CLICK HERE. To see the game’s stats, CLICK HERE. To view the tournament’s all-star team, CLICK HERE. _ https://www.youtube.com/live/Oux-xxZYn-c?si=TxxWODUS4IFH14bx

Tommy Bleyl named Defenseman and Rookie of the Year

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:35:24 +0000

Tommy Bleyl’s outstanding season with the Moncton Wildcats was once again recognized today as the QMJHL awarded him the Émile-Bouchard Trophy as Defenseman of the Year and the Sidney-Crosby Trophy as Rookie of the Year. Bleyl is only the second player in QMJHL history to earn both honours in the same season, joining Dmitry Kulikov, who accomplished the feat in 2008-2009 with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Bleyl is the first Wildcats member to be named Rookie of the Year since Jordan Spence in 2018-2019. Spence also went on to win Defenceman of the Year the following season. Bleyl finished second among all league rookies with 81 points in 63 games, setting a new QMJHL record for a rookie defender. The previous mark of 77 points had been held by Gaston Therrien since 1978. His 68 assists led the entire league, finishing nine ahead of Thomas Verdon (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) and Alex Huang (Chicoutimi Saguenéens). Among all defensemen, Bleyl ranked first in points (81), power play points (42), and shots on goal (195). He finished 11 points ahead of his closest rival, Alex Huang. Bleyl, who helped the Wildcats win their second consecutive regular season championship, ends his season with three trophies, having also won the Raymond-Lagacé Trophy for Defensive Rookie of the Year a few days ago. He is ranked 17^th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s final list ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft. _ Sidney-Crosby Trophy Finalists (Rookie of the Year) Alexis Joseph, Saint John Sea Dogs Joseph finished sixth in rookie scoring with 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) in 54 games. Notably, he was the only 16-year-old player in the top six. In addition to 18 power-play points, he led all rookies with four shorthanded goals. The Sea Dogs’ second-leading scorer, Joseph will not be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2027. Egor Shilov, Victoriaville Tigres Shilov led all rookies and finished seventh in overall league scoring with 82 points in 63 games. Among first-year players, he ranked second in goals (32) and third in power-play points (31), while maintaining a 54.8% faceoff percentage. Shilov is ranked 19^th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s final list for the upcoming draft. _ Émile-Bouchard Trophy Finalists (Defenseman of the Year) Alex Huang, Chicoutimi Saguenéens In his third season with the Saguenéens, Huang shattered his previous personal best, jumping from 40 to 70 points to rank second among all QMJHL defencemen. His 11 goals and 59 assists were also career highs. Huang finished second among blueliners with a +58 rating and 32 power play points. The Nashville Predators prospect was the defensive anchor for a Sags team that finished second in the overall standings. Tomas Lavoie, Cape Breton Eagles/Chicoutimi Saguenéens The first overall pick by Cape Breton in 2022, Lavoie was traded to Chicoutimi mid-season and continued his strong play, recording 26 points and a +31 rating in 32 games with the Sags. He finished the season eighth among QMJHL defensemen with 47 points (10G, 37A) in 56 games and a +34 rating. At 6'4" and 230 lbs, Lavoie brings more than just offense; he is a physical, reliable, and stabilizing defensive presence. A 2024 third-round pick of the Utah Mammoth, he is expected to move up to the AHL next season.

2026 Gilles-Courteau Trophy Playoffs – SAGUENÉENS vs. HUSKIES

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:07:02 +0000

The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies have seen their share of postseason success over the past decade, while the Chicoutimi Saguenéens are looking to snap a 32-year drought. That’s the backdrop these two teams will play in front of when this best-of-seven Gilles-Courteau Trophy Semi-Final begins tonight in Chicoutimi. The Saguenéens arrive in round three having eliminated their first two opponents with surgical precision. After sweeping the Halifax Mooseheads in round one, the squad from Saguenay also disposed of the Québec Remparts in the minimum four games. Maxim Massé continued his torrid pace, as did fellow vets Emmanuel Vermette and Nathan Lecompte. The next team to shut out the Saguenéens on the power play will be the first to do so in these playoffs; Chicoutimi has found the back of the net on the man advantage in each of its first eight postseason encounters. But it’s what’s happening away from the puck that has been the story of the second season for the Sags. Eight games played, six goals against; those are video game numbers. And they’re largely attributed to the stifling defense of Tomas Lavoie, Jordan Tournigny, Alex Huang and Peteris Bulans, to name just a few. In net, Lucas Beckman is riding a shutout streak of over 169 minutes into the Semis; the last Saguenéens goal against came in the first period of game two versus Québec. This is Chicoutimi’s first trip to the third round since 2021, when it was swept by Val-d’Or. The franchise last reached the league final back in 1997 and is vying for its first Championship since 1994. The Huskies, after besting the Gatineau Olympiques in a surprising seven-game opening round encounter, wasted no time in the Quarter-Finals, sweeping the Shawinigan Cataractes. The offense was firing on all cylinders in round two, thanks in no small part to the current playoff scoring leader, Thomas Verdon. Benjamin Brunelle kept his strong play alive after a game seven hat trick in the opening round, collecting ten points versus Shawinigan. Eliot Ogonowski also ramped up his production in the Quarters, capped off with the eventual game- and series-winner in game four. Antoine St-Laurent made sure the defense was also chipping in with the puck, his series highlighted by a four-point effort in game two which included the overtime clincher in a massive come-from-behind victory for the Huskies. Alexis Lemire and Axel Dufresne have been reliable on the backend, same with the gritty Brayden Kaldenbach. In net, Samuel Meloche has been clutch, making keys saves at various close moments and leading all netminders with three postseason shutouts. The Huskies are vying for their first trip to the Final since 2019, when the franchise claimed both a ‘Q’ title and a Memorial Cup Championship. After the Huskies earned a 4-1 victory at home in late November, the Saguenéens captured back-to-back contests by a combined 9-2 score on February 19 and 20 to win the season series between the two clubs. This is only the second playoff encounter between the two organizations. In 2017, the Sags outlasted the Huskies in a back-and-forth Quarter-Final series which took overtime in game seven to decide. _ Team Comparison (Reg. Season):

	Chicoutimi	Rouyn-Noranda
Record	49-10-3-2 — 102 Pts	40-17-5-2 — 87 Pts
Conference Rank	2nd Eastern	1st Western
League Rank	2nd	3rd
GF	321 (1st)	221 (7th)
GA	150 (1st)	178 (4th)
PP (Total)	32.7% (1st)	26.9% (3rd)
PK (Total)	87.2% (1st)	81.4% (3rd)
Leading Rookie (PTS)	Lefebvre (32-27-59)	Rheault (13-18-31)
Leading Scorers (PTS)	Massé (51-51-102)	Verdon (36-59-95)
	Desruisseaux (24-52-76)	Beauchemin (16-50-66)
	Huang (11-59-70)	Steiner (30-25-55)
	Vermette (27-42-69)	Ogonowski (18-31-49)
	Guité (32-33-69)	St-Laurent (10-33-43)

CHL unveils players ranked No. 30 through No. 21 on Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:08:53 +0000

The Top 50 players were selected through an initial media vote, with the final order determined by a weighted combination of media and fan voting. After unveiling players ranked No. 50 through No. 31 over the past two weeks, the CHL continues the countdown today, with full player bios available at chl.ca/chl50.

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to unveil the players ranked No. 30 through No. 21 on its Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list (see below), a marquee initiative of the CHL’s 50th anniversary season. The countdown recognizes the greatest players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) since 1975-76, celebrating the stars who have defined major junior hockey over the past five decades. As part of the initiative, a panel of media members first selected the Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years (since 1975-76). The final ranking order was then determined using a weighted formula that combined media and fan voting to rank the players from No. 1 through No. 50. Over the last two weeks, the CHL has revealed the players ranked No. 50 through No. 31, beginning with No. 50 through No. 41 and continuing with No. 40 through No. 31. Today, the countdown moves on with the next group of players. KEY FACTS & MEDIA NOTES: CHL TOP 50 PLAYERS MEDIA RESOURCES (PHOTOS, LOGOS, VIDEOS & MORE) 30. Connor Bedard, Forward | WHL | Regina Pats (2020-23) | Chicago Blackhawks (2023-Present): Granted exceptional status in 2020, Bedard became the WHL’s first exceptional player and totaled 271 points in 134 games over three seasons with Regina. He capped his junior career with a CHL-best 143 points in 57 games in 2022-23, sweeping CHL Top Draft Prospect, CHL Top Scorer, and CHL David Branch Player of the Year honours — becoming the first player ever to win all three in one season. Selected first overall in 2023, Bedard made an immediate impact in the NHL by winning the Calder Trophy in 2024. Internationally, he won back-to-back World Juniors gold medals and was named tournament MVP in 2023. 29. Denis Savard, Forward | QMJHL | Montreal Juniors (1977-80) | Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens & Tampa Bay Lightning (1980-97): Savard was a dynamic star with the Montreal Juniors, recording 455 points in 214 games and posting three straight 100-point seasons. He won QMJHL Rookie of the Year in 1977-78 and QMJHL MVP in 1979-80 after a dominant 181-point campaign. Drafted third overall in 1980, Savard became one of the NHL’s elite offensive talents, topping 100 points five times, winning the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993, and finishing with 1,338 career points on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame. 28. Mike Modano, Forward | WHL | Prince Albert Raiders (1986-89) | Minnesota North Stars / Dallas Stars & Detroit Red Wings (1988-2011): Modano totaled 294 points in 176 games across three WHL seasons with Prince Albert and earned WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team honours in 1988-89. Selected first overall in 1988, he became the first American from the CHL taken No. 1 in the NHL Draft. Modano went on to a Hall of Fame career in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999 and finishing with 561 goals and 1,374 points, long recognized as one of the greatest U.S.-born players in NHL history. Internationally, he won the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and earned Olympic silver in 2002. 27. Grant Fuhr, Goaltender | WHL | Victoria Cougars (1979-81) | Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues & Calgary Flames (1981-2000): Fuhr won 78 games in just two WHL seasons with Victoria, earning WHL Rookie of the Year in 1979-80 and WHL Goaltender of the Year in 1980-81 while helping the Cougars capture a WHL Championship title in 1981. Chosen eighth overall in 1981, Fuhr became the backbone of the Oilers dynasty, winning five Stanley Cups and the Vezina Trophy. A Hall of Famer, he finished with 403 NHL wins and remains one of the most accomplished goaltenders in NHL history. Internationally, Fuhr also won Canada Cup gold in 1984 and 1987. 26. Luc Robitaille, Forward | QMJHL | Hull Olympiques (1983-86) | Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers & Detroit Red Wings (1986-2006): Robitaille amassed 424 points in 197 games with Hull and was named CHL Player of the Year in 1985-86 after a brilliant 191-point season. He also led the Olympiques to a QMJHL title and starred at the Memorial Cup, confirming his status as one of junior hockey’s premier scorers. Drafted by Los Angeles in 1984, Robitaille became one of the NHL’s top goal scorers, winning the Calder Trophy, producing eight straight 40-goal seasons, capturing the Stanley Cup with Detroit, and finishing with 668 goals and 1,394 points en route to the Hall of Fame. Internationally, he won gold at both the Canada Cup and World Championship. 25. Marc-André Fleury, Goaltender | QMJHL | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (2000-04) | Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks & Minnesota Wild (2003-25): Fleury developed into one of the QMJHL’s premier goaltenders in Cape Breton, earning the QMJHL’s Defensive Player of the Year and Top Prospect (Michael-Bossy Trophy) honours in 2002-03. Selected first overall in 2003, he remains the only CHL goaltender ever taken No. 1 in the NHL Draft. Fleury went on to build a remarkable NHL career, winning three Stanley Cups, capturing the Vezina Trophy, playing more than 1,000 games, and finishing among the winningest goaltenders in league history. Internationally, he won Olympic gold with Canada and twice claimed World Juniors silver. 24. Corey Perry, Forward | OHL | London Knights (2001-05) | Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers & Los Angeles Kings (2005-Present): Perry set a London Knights franchise record with 380 points in 253 games and won OHL MVP (Red Tilson Trophy) in 2004-05 after a 130-point season. He then led London to its first Memorial Cup championship, earning both OHL Playoff (Wayne Gretzky 99 Award) and Memorial Cup MVP (Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy) honours along the way and capping one of the finest careers in Knights franchise history. Perry carried that winning pedigree into the NHL, capturing the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007, winning the Hart and Rocket Richard trophies in 2010-11, and building one of hockey’s most decorated professional and international résumés. Internationally, he is one of only two players ever to win all six major titles: the Memorial Cup, Stanley Cup, World Juniors, Olympics, World Championship, and World Cup of Hockey. 23. Doug Gilmour, Forward | OHL & QMJHL | Cornwall Royals (1980-83) | St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres & Montreal Canadiens (1983-2003): Gilmour helped Cornwall win the 1981 Memorial Cup, scoring the championship-winning goal, then exploded after the franchise moved to the OHL. In 1982-83, he led the OHL in goals, assists, and points with 177, winning both the Eddie Powers (OHL Top Scorer) and Red Tilson (OHL MVP) trophies while cementing himself as one of junior hockey’s premier stars. A seventh-round NHL pick in 1982, Gilmour went on to a Hall of Fame career, winning the Stanley Cup with Calgary in 1989 and finishing with 1,414 points in 1,474 NHL games. Internationally, he also won Canada Cup gold in 1987. 22. Carey Price, Goaltender | WHL | Tri-City Americans (2002-07) | Montreal Canadiens (2007-22): Price starred over four seasons in Tri-City, earning WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year honours in 2006-07 and finishing with franchise records for career shutouts and shutouts in a season. His junior résumé established him as one of the top goaltending prospects of his generation. Chosen fifth overall by Montreall at the 2005 NHL Draft, he became the winningest goaltender in Canadiens history. Price’s peak in the NHL came in 2014-15, when he won the Hart, Vezina, Ted Lindsay, and Jennings trophies, cementing his place among the defining goaltenders of his era. Internationally, he won gold at the World Juniors, Olympics, and World Cup of Hockey. 21. Patrick Kane, Forward | OHL | London Knights (2006-07) | Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers & Detroit Red Wings (2007-Present): Kane delivered one of the greatest rookie seasons in CHL history in 2006-07, recording 145 points in 58 games with London while capturing the OHL and CHL scoring titles, along with CHL Rookie of the Year honours. His lone season in junior instantly secured his place among the game’s elite talents. Selected first overall in 2007, Kane became one of the NHL’s most decorated stars, winning three Stanley Cups along with the Conn Smythe, Calder, Hart, Ted Lindsay, and Art Ross trophies, and later becoming the all-time leading scorer among U.S.-born players. Internationally, he won Olympic silver and was MVP of the 2018 World Championship. Further rankings from the Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list will be revealed in the coming weeks. _ CHL Top 50 Evaluation Criteria and Eligibility The CHL’s Top 50 Players were selected by a panel of more than 40 media members who submitted ranked 1–50 ballots guided by a weighted evaluation framework designed to ensure consistency across eras. Panelists considered a player’s impact beyond the CHL — including NHL and international success, major awards and championships, and Hall of Fame recognition — alongside on-ice achievement in the Member Leagues, reflecting what players accomplished during their time in the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL through production, individual honours, team success, and sustained dominance. Selections also accounted for historical significance, recognizing milestones, era-defining influence, generational impact, and lasting contributions to CHL history. To be eligible, players must have competed in at least one full season in the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL during the CHL’s 50-year history beginning in 1975–76; for players who competed in 1975–76 and also played prior to that season, their entire CHL career was considered when evaluating on-ice accomplishments.

Top 10 | The best plays from the second round of the playoffs!

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:55:13 +0000

Here are the top 10 plays from the quarter-finals of the 2026 playoffs! _ 10- Émile Beaunoyer, Foreurs 9- Rudy Guimond, Wildcats 8- Louis-François Bélanger, Regiment 7- Torkel Jennersjo + Vincent Collard + Spencer Gill, Armada 6- Tomas Lavoie, Saguenéens 5- Louis-Antoine Denault, Regiment 4- Rian Chudzinski, Wildcats 3- Gabe Smith, Wildcats 2- Justin Carbonneau + Vincent Desjardins, Armada 1- Tommy Bleyl, Wildcats

2026 Gilles-Courteau Trophy Playoffs – WILDCATS vs. ARMADA

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:46:14 +0000

The top two QMJHL players selected in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft prepare to cross paths with a berth in the Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final on the line. The Moncton Wildcats and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada get ready to clash in their QMJHL Semi-Final series starting tonight, in Moncton. The Wildcats enter the series a perfect 8-0 in the postseason, part of an overall 17-game win streak. Back-to-back sweeps of the Saint John Sea Dogs and Val-d’Or Foreurs were engineered by a deep and relentless attack personified by Utah Mammoth 2025 first-rounder Caleb Desnoyers, who scored the eventual series winner against the Foreurs while letting his all-around play do the talking. Fellow Mammoth prospect Gabe Smith was an unstoppable force in round two, piling up ten points including a four-goal performance in game three. Overall, eight players enter the Semis averaging a point per game in the postseason. Defenseman Tommy Bleyl is among them, piling up his share of points while also playing with more of an edge at times. Max Vilen has offered up a steady two-way game while Erik Wallenius and Adam Fortier-Gendron have effectively shut down the opposition. In net, Rudy Guimond sometimes goes long stretches between tests but is almost always equal to them. The Cats are attempting to reach the Final in back-to-back years for the first time ever and the fifth time overall. The Armada has been impressive in its own right these playoffs, sweeping the Victoriaville Tigres in round one before eliminating the Newfoundland Regiment in six Quarter-Final games. Justin Carbonneau, a 2025 first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues best known for his shoot first style of play, instead sits tied for the team lead in assists while leading the club in scoring overall. Two players with championship round experience, Maël Lavigne and Vincent Collard, have come up huge for the Armada in all situations, as has the strong playmaking of another 2025 NHL first-rounder, Pittsburgh prospect Bill Zonnon. Xavier Villeneuve continues to lead the way on the backend along with Spencer Gill, whose impressive play in all zones has been both key to victory and a steadying presence for a star-studded Blainville squad. Perhaps the most understated face in the lineup has been Swedish winger Torkel Jennersjo, who has not only been effective all over the ice but boasts two game-winners out of three postseason goals to this point. William Lacelle continues his strong play in net, including a 32-save shutout against the Regiment in game five. This is the Armada’s first trip to round three since 2018, when the club made the second of back-to-back Final appearances. The Wildcats swept the two-game season series against the Armada, winning 6-1 in Blainville on November 6 and then 4-1 in Moncton on March 6. The Armada holds the upper hand historically in the postseason, however. In 2014, the team eliminated Moncton in a six-game, first-round encounter. It also dispatched the Cats in the 2018 Quarter-Finals in five games. _ Team Comparison (Reg. Season):

	Moncton	Blainville-Boisbriand
Record	50-10-2-2 — 104 Pts	40-18-5-1 — 86 Pts
Conference Rank	1st Eastern	T-2^nd Western
League Rank	1st	T-4th
GF	302 (2nd)	270 (3rd)
GA	164 (2nd)	176 (3rd)
PP (Total)	31.8% (2nd)	26.7% (4th)
PK (Total)	82.4% (2nd)	79.1% (5th)
Leading Rookie (PTS)	Bleyl (13-68-81)	Jennersjo (14-14-28)
Leading Scorers (PTS)	Bleyl (13-68-81)	Carbonneau (51-29-80)
	Desnoyers (22-56-78)	Nobert (30-48-78)
	Smith (34-43-77)	Desjardins (28-50-78)
	Tournas (43-31-74)	Gosselin (23-27-50)
	Mutryn (31-37-68)	Lavigne (22-26-48)

Nathan Brisson named Student-Athlete of the Year

Pierre-Luc Chenel — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:11:19 +0000

The QMJHL is proud to announce that Val-d'Or Foreurs captain Nathan Brisson has been awarded the 2025-2026 Marcel-Robert Trophy as Student-Athlete of the Year, presented by BMR. A Natural Science student at Cégep de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Val-d'Or, Brisson is nearing the completion of his program and has maintained grades well above 90% in the vast majority of his courses. Aspiring to a career in law, he recently faced health challenges that kept him away from campus for an extended period of time. Despite this, he pursued his studies independently with rigor and determination. His ability to adapt and persevere allowed him to pass his tests with flying colors, a testament to his commitment to academic success. On the ice, despite missing 14 games, Brisson had an excellent season, finishing third in team scoring for the Foreurs with 64 points, including 20 goals and 44 assists. "I want to congratulate Nathan for his brilliance both in the classroom and on the ice. The Marcel-Robert Trophy is a very important honour in our league. It embodies the very essence of the QMJHL: the art of successfully combining hockey and academics. Nathan is an example for all his Foreurs teammates, as well as for all current and future QMJHL players," said Commissioner Mario Cecchini. Brisson is the first Foreurs player to win the Marcel-Robert Trophy since Jacob Gaucher, back in 2020-2021.

_ Finalists

Rudy Guimond, Moncton Wildcats A student at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), 20-year-old Guimond stands out for his exceptional journey, notably highlighted by his admission to Harvard University for next year. To meet admission requirements, he had to complete two prerequisite courses during the Fall 2025 semester, which he did successfully. His academic results are remarkable, reflecting his character. Alongside his academic achievements, Guimond led all QMJHL goaltenders with 40 wins, a 2.27 goals-against average, and a .922 save percentage. Mathys Dubé, Rimouski Océanic A Police Technology student at Cégep de Rimouski, Dubé successfully completed four college courses during the Winter 2025 semester—including two in-person—while participating in the Memorial Cup in May. Balancing studies and exams during a deep playoff run with a championship-contending team was a significant challenge that he met with great success. In the Fall 2025 semester, he continued his momentum by taking five courses and obtaining excellent results. Goal-oriented and determined, he is committed to completing his diploma and pursuing a career in policing. Additionally, Dubé was recently named the Océanic’s MVP after leading the team with 43 points (22G, 21A) in 64 games.

We would like to thank the members of the Marcel-Robert Trophy selection committee for their invaluable involvement. The committee was chaired by Charles-David Beaudoin, a former player and recipient of this trophy in 2012-2013. The selection committee members were:

Charles-David Beaudoin, Wind Project Manager at Groupe Bellemare
Sébastien Fyfe, General Manager of Alliance Sport-Études
Denise Ouellet, former Academic Advisor for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and retired teacher from École secondaire Nepisiguit (NB)
Louis Bélanger, retired French professor at the University of New Brunswick
Valérie Monette, Director of the QMJHL Education Program
Martin Lavallée, QMJHL Deputy Commissioner