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Finalists announced for 2026 CHL Awards

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:55:33 +0000

Nineteen CHL clubs represented among 2026 finalists, led by historic seasons from Bryce Pickford, Tommy Bleyl, Nikita Klepov, and Maxim Massé

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce the finalists for its 10 major awards for the 2025-26 season, with the complete list of finalists available below. Winners will be honoured at the 2026 CHL Awards ceremony, taking place Monday, June 15, in downtown Toronto. The finalists for each CHL award are determined by the winners of the corresponding honours presented by the CHL’s three Member Leagues: the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Across the 30 finalist spots for this year’s 10 CHL awards, 19 different CHL clubs are represented, including seven from the WHL, six from the OHL, and six from the QMJHL — reflecting standout 2025-26 seasons from players, coaches, and organizations across the CHL. Four players enter the 2026 CHL Awards with multiple nominations after seasons that rewrote record books across the CHL. Bryce Pickford of the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) is a finalist for both the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award and CHL Defenceman of the Year Award after scoring 45 goals — the most by a CHL defenceman in nearly 40 years. The Montreal Canadiens prospect is the first defenceman to be named a finalist for the CHL’s top individual honour since Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires / OHL) in 2010-11. If selected, Pickford would become just the fifth defenceman to win the award and the first since Ellis. Tommy Bleyl of the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) is also nominated twice, earning finalist recognition for both CHL Rookie of the Year and CHL Defenceman of the Year after setting a new QMJHL record for points by a rookie defenceman with 81. The 2026 NHL Draft prospect also became just the second player in QMJHL history to win both the league’s Rookie of the Year and Defenceman of the Year honours in the same season, joining Dmitry Kulikov (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL), who accomplished the feat in 2008-09. Should Bleyl capture both CHL awards, he would become the first player in CHL history to win CHL Rookie of the Year and CHL Defenceman of the Year in the same season. Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) and Maxim Massé of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) round out the group of multi-award finalists. Klepov, a 2026 NHL Draft prospect nominated for both CHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL Top Scorer Award, became the first rookie to lead a CHL Member League in scoring since Patrick Kane did so with the London Knights in 2006-07 — a feat achieved by only one other rookie since 2000, Sidney Crosby with the Rimouski Océanic in 2003-04. Massé, an Anaheim Ducks prospect and finalist for both the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award and CHL Top Scorer Award, captured the QMJHL scoring title with 102 points and was one of only two CHL players to surpass both the 50-goal and 100-point marks this season. Some of the other compelling storylines to watch heading into the 2026 CHL Awards include:

Markus Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers led the entire CHL with 108 points, while his twin brother Liam finished second with 104, making them the first siblings in CHL history to finish first and second in league scoring in the same season.
This year marks the first time in CHL history that all three Member League Rookie of the Year recipients are U.S.-born players, with JP Hurlbert of the Kamloops Blazers (WHL), Klepov (OHL), and Bleyl (QMJHL) all nominated for CHL Rookie of the Year.
Should Bleyl be named CHL Rookie of the Year, he would become just the fourth defenceman to receive the honour, joining Philippe Boucher (Granby Bisons / QMJHL, 1990-91), Bryan Berard (Detroit Jr. Red Wings / OHL, 1994-95), and Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / WHL, 2024-25), who captured the award last season.
Massé, the CHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23, could become just the sixth player in CHL history to win both CHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award over the course of his career, joining Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Alex DeBrincat, Alexis Lafrenière, and Gavin McKenna.
Sam O’Reilly of the Kitchener Rangers enters the ceremony as a finalist for the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award following a remarkable campaign in which he was named OHL regular-season MVP, OHL Playoff MVP, and Memorial Cup MVP while leading Kitchener to a Memorial Cup title. Should he win the CHL’s top individual honour, the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect would join Brad Richards and Mitch Marner as the only players to capture CHL Player of the Year after completing that rare MVP sweep in the same season.
Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67’s is a finalist for CHL Goaltender of the Year after leading the CHL with a .923 save percentage, posting a CHL-best 2.07 goals-against average, and setting a new OHL rookie record with six shutouts. If selected, the 2026 NHL Draft prospect would become only the second rookie goaltender to win the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award — and the first in 31 years — following Martin Biron of the Beauport Harfangs (QMJHL) in 1994-95.
Steve Hamilton of the Everett Silvertips is nominated for the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award after guiding Everett to a franchise-record 57-win regular season, the first WHL Championship in club history, the Silvertips’ first Memorial Cup appearance, and their first Memorial Cup Final appearance.
Marcus Kearsey of the Charlottetown Islanders could help make CHL history, as an Islanders win would mark the first time a club has captured the CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award in consecutive seasons. With Kearsey earning his second nomination for this CHL honour in the last three seasons, a Charlottetown Islanders player has now represented the QMJHL as a finalist for the award in four of the last five seasons, including each of the last three.

Presented annually, the CHL Awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of players from across the CHL, with 10 trophies presented based on individual performances. For more information on each award and its three finalists, please visit chl.ca/tag/chl-awards. David Branch Player of the Year Award Nominees: Bryce Pickford (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Sam O’Reilly (Kitchener Rangers / OHL), Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL) The CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL Player of the Year), the Red Tilson Trophy (OHL Most Outstanding Player), and the Michel-Brière Trophy (QMJHL MVP). The trophy was renamed in 2019-20 in honour of David Branch, who was OHL Commissioner from 1979-2024 and served as CHL President from 1996-2019. Defenceman of the Year Award Nominees: Bryce Pickford (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL), Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL) The CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL Defenceman of the Year), the Max Kaminsky Trophy (OHL Defenceman of the Year), and the Émile-Bouchard Trophy (QMJHL Defenceman of the Year). Goaltender of the Year Award Nominees: Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), Rudy Guimond (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL) The CHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given out annually to the top goaltender in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy (WHL Goaltender of the Year), the Jim Rutherford Trophy (OHL Goaltender of the Year), and the Patrick-Roy Trophy (QMJHL Goaltender of the Year). Rookie of the Year Award Nominees: JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers / WHL), Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL) The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year), the Emms Family Award (OHL Rookie of the Year), and the Sidney-Crosby Trophy (QMJHL Rookie of the Year). Top Scorer Award Nominees: Markus Ruck (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL) The CHL Top Scorer Award is given out annually to the highest-scoring player in the Canadian Hockey League. It was first awarded in 1994. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL Top Scorer), the Eddie Powers Trophy (OHL Top Scorer), and the Jean-Béliveau Trophy (QMJHL Scoring Champion). Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award Nominees: Steve Hamilton (Everett Silvertips / WHL), Dave Cameron (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL) Named in recognition of former Ottawa 67’s head coach and CHL all-time wins leader Brian Kilrea, the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award is presented annually to one of the winners of the CHL’s Member League coaching honours: the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL Coach of the Year), the Matt Leyden Trophy (OHL Coach of the Year), and the Ron-Lapointe Trophy (QMJHL Coach of the Year). Top Draft Prospect Award Nominees: Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds / OHL), Maddox Dagenais (Québec Remparts / QMJHL) The CHL Top Draft Prospect Award is presented annually to the top eligible prospect for the NHL Draft from the Canadian Hockey League. The award was first presented in 1991. Sportsman of the Year Award Nominees: Braeden Cootes (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL), Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL), Alex Huang (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL) The CHL Sportsman of the Year Award is given out annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy (WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player), the William Hanley Trophy (OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player), and the David-Desharnais Trophy (QMJHL Most Sportsmanlike & Effective Player). Scholastic Player of the Year Award Nominees: Alex Weiermair (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Nathan Brisson (Val-d’Or Foreurs / QMJHL) The CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award is presented annually to a Canadian Hockey League player who is best able to combine success on the ice with success in the classroom. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Daryl K. “Doc” Seaman Memorial Trophy (WHL Scholastic Player of the Year), the Bobby Smith Trophy (OHL Scholastic Player of the Year), and the Marcel-Robert Trophy (QMJHL Scholastic Player of the Year). Humanitarian of the Year Award Nominees: Shane Smith (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires / OHL), Marcus Kearsey (Charlottetown Islanders / QMJHL) The CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented annually to the CHL player judged to have made the most notable contribution to his community. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (WHL Humanitarian of the Year), the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy (OHL Humanitarian of the Year), and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year Award.

2026 QMJHL Entry Draft: a total of 216 players selected

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:18:50 +0000

The 2026 QMJHL Draft, presented by Fenplast, is now in the books, as 216 players were selected yesterday and today at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Thomas Boisvert was selected first overall last night by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Today, Éliot Faucher was the first player selected, at 19^th overall, as the Shawinigan Cataractes used their pick to acquire the defenseman. Faucher played for Stanstead College this past season. The Cataractes, who selected fourth and sixth overall yesterday, ultimately made five selections among the first 27 picks. Trois-Rivières Estacades forward Émile Guévin, selected 22^nd overall, and Séminaire St-François goaltender Simon-Olivier Guérard, selected 27^th, are also headed to Shawinigan. The host team, the Halifax Mooseheads, also made three second-round selections: Jack Cameron (20^th), Maveric Thisdelle (25^th) and John Queally (33^rd). Most of the drafted prospects were born in 2010 and will now look to earn their spot in the QMJHL at training camps, which will begin in August. View the complete list of draft selections here

QMJHL announces the winners of three administrative trophies

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:08:38 +0000

After announcing the finalists on Thursday, the QMJHL today revealed the winners of the Jean-Sawyer, John-Horman and Denis-Arsenault Trophies for the 2025-26 season. Jean-Sawyer Trophy (photo above) Marketing Team of the Year Winners: Chicoutimi Saguenéens Under the banner of their slogan, “Defending Our Colours,” the Saguenéens organization enjoyed a remarkable season both in the front office and on the ice. The team launched several initiatives, including a brand-new visual identity, a podcast, and new fan engagement tools through its mobile app. In addition, the organization added full-time graphic design and video production resources to remain connected with its fan base by sharing stories throughout the season. Finally, the Saguenéens’ marketing investments had a significant impact on sponsorship revenues, attendance figures, webcast quality, as well as ticketing and 50/50 revenues. Finalists: Québec Remparts and Newfoundland Regiment _ John-Horman Trophy Administrator of the Year Winners: Glenn Stanford and Ken O’Leary, Newfoundland Regiment In its inaugural season, the Regiment quickly established itself as one of the league’s model organizations, finishing among the QMJHL’s Top 4 teams in ticket sales, concession revenues, merchandise sales and sponsorship revenues. The Regiment also broke the attendance record for a first-year franchise, previously set in 1969-70, by averaging 5,234 fans per game. President Glenn Stanford and Vice-President of Business Operations Ken O’Leary provided outstanding leadership in the Regiment’s front office. Finalists: Serge Proulx, Chicoutimi Saguenéens, and Tommy Castonguay, Québec Remparts _ Denis-Arsenault Trophy Academic Advisor of the Year Winners: Dominique Bilodeau and Yvan Nolet, Gatineau Olympiques Finalists for a second consecutive year and winners for the first time, Dominique and Yvan provide players with structured, attentive and highly personalized support. Their proactive, solutions-oriented approach is reflected in their strong adaptability and constant willingness to innovate. They maintain solid relationships with educational partners and foster open, constructive communication with all stakeholders. Their professionalism is also evident in their consistent respect for deadlines and established processes. Finalists: Bruce Cluney and Hannah Woodworth, Charlottetown Islanders, and Janique Duval, Val-d’Or Foreurs

2026 QMJHL Draft | Recap of an eventful first round

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 02:50:32 +0000

One of the biggest productions on the QMJHL calendar, the first round of the 2026 QMJHL Draft presented by Fenplast, took place Friday night at Scotiabank Center in Halifax. In addition to the welcoming of 18 new faces to the QMJHL family, several interesting storylines unfolded as the kickoff to the 2026-27 campaign got underway. The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, choosing first overall for the first time in franchise history via acquisition of the pick originally owned by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, kicked things off by selecting Thomas Boisvert from Mount St. Charles Academy. The center from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec stood out at the Rhode Island prep school as a dynamic, well-rounded player who excelled at distributing the puck. Boisvert was considered the top prospect in this year’s draft by QMJHL Central Scouting. The Victoriaville Tigres, choosing second for the first time since 2022, stepped up to the podium next and took defenseman Vincent Boutet. While patrolling the blueline for the Blizzard du Seminaire St-Francois, the 6’1” Boutet brought a physical element while also remaining remarkably composed. The Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec product was identified as the top blueliner available for the 2026 QMJHL Draft. The third overall selection, originally held by the hometown Mooseheads, was dealt to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, causing a dramatic reaction from the many fans in attendance. While the Mooseheads landed star center Mateo Nobert in exchange for goaltender Nicolas Gillham-Cirka and Amelio Santini, the Armada promptly used their newly acquired pick to choose forward Jacob McKinnon who was Boutet’s Blizzard teammate at Seminaire St-Francois last season. One of the top skaters available in the draft, McKinnon combined fantastic shot and pass selection and hockey sense to average well over a point per game in 2025-26. McKinnon will be facing at least one familiar foe from a nearby rival; he is the brother of Shawinigan Cataractes defenseman Noah McKinnon. A name with ties to the hometown team was called out when the Cataractes made the first of what would be two first round picks at number four. Pierre-Alexandre Lemieux spent last season mixing skill, physicality and vision with the Phenix du College Esther-Blondin. He’s also the nephew of former Mooseheads’ forward Alex Lemieux. The Victoriaville Tigres found themselves back at the podium for pick number five after a draft floor deal with the Saint John Sea Dogs that saw picks 14 and 17 head to the Port City. The Tigres proceeded to choose Jakob Royer from the Estacades de Trois-Rivieres. Known as a power forward at the U-18 level, he is the son of former Q defenseman Remi Royer. The Cataractes made Julien Bergeron the sixth pick of the Draft and kept the family connections rolling. Bergeron, a reliable forechecker and consistent offensive threat for the Grenadiers de Chateauguay is the nephew of former QMJHL player and coach Louis Robitaille. The biggest cheer of the night arose with pick number seven. The Mooseheads’ former star defenseman Justin Barron announced the selection of Emrik Menard. One of the most electrifying forwards available, Menard combined vision, instinct and strong work ethic in a successful though injury-shortened ’25-26 campaign. Another player who joins the ‘Q’ family tree, Emrik’s father, Carl, was a mainstay with Granby and St-Hyacinthe in the early 90’s. The eighth pick was part of a carousel of trades. Originally property of the Cape Breton Eagles, it was sent to Chicoutimi as part of a blockbuster that sent recent league champions Lucas Beckman, Liam Lefebvre and Alonso Gosselin to the Cape. The Sagueneens in turn dealt the selection to Rimouski who chose hometown boy Justin Gagnon, a 6’3” power forward who starred with the Albatros du College Notre-Dame last year. The Chateauguay connection continued with pick nine as the Sherbrooke Phoenix welcomed Damien Leduc into the fold. The 6’1” power forward brought a solid combination of physicality and discipline to the ice this past year. It was back to the trade floor at pick number ten. After the Val-d’Or Foreurs sent that pick to Rimouski, the Oceanic stepped up to the podium and selected the first Maritimer of the evening in Fall River, Nova Scotia forward Max Brien. A powerful skater who brings a presence to all three zones, Brien was a point-per-game star with the Dartmouth Steele Subaru last year. The first Newfoundland-born player came off the board with pick number thirteen. Damian Norris of Middle Cove will be going home to suit up with the Newfoundland Regiment after an explosive, high scoring season with Upper Canada College. Norris also enters the ‘Q’ with an NHL connection as the cousin of Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Norris. It was another merry-go-round at pick fourteen. The Saint John Sea Dogs would deal this selection to the Quebec Remparts. After brief stops with Chicoutimi and Baie-Comeau, the selection made its way back to Saint John, who broke the suspense by choosing Pictou Weeks defenseman Lawrence Williams. The top ranked Maritimer by the CSR, the mobile blueliner averaged over a point per game as a rookie at the U-18 level last year. The first goaltender as well as the first member of the current Telus Cup Champions was selected at pick fifteen. Zachary Lainesse used his quick hands and instinctive ability to battle shooters with the Chevaliers de Levis last year. Now, he represents the next big thing between the pipes for Rouyn-Noranda, who used the second of three first rounders on the top ranked netminder. The Huskies would cap off their first-round hat trick with the very next pick, acquiring two-way Magog forward Malik Tremblay at sixteen. Pick seventeen was a combination of championship pedigree and family ties. Enzo Roy, a mobile puck mover on the champion Levis squad was taken by Baie-Comeau, the Drakkar’s second pick of the night. His father is no stranger to the ‘Q’; Jonathan was a star forward with Drummondville and Moncton. Fittingly, one more trade was made to close out the night. Pick number 18 was dealt from Rimouski to Baie-Comeau. The Drakkar then used their third pick of the night to choose goaltender Nathan Boulanger. The rangy six-foot tall netminder also became the second player from College Esther-Blondin to be chosen on the evening. The 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft presented by Fenplast continues tomorrow with rounds 2-12 starting at 9am ET/10am AT, live on Eastlink and the QMJHL’s YouTube channel.

QMJHL and LHPS announce the creation of the Nicolas-Dutil Memorial Scholarship

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:00:32 +0000

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Preparatory School Hockey League (LHPS) are proud to announce the creation of the Nicolas-Dutil Memorial Scholarship, an initiative designed to honour the memory of referee Nicolas Dutil and to annually recognize young leaders who contribute to the development of hockey through their work as officials. A former QMJHL referee and member of the LHPS Board of Directors, Nicolas Dutil left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. Known for his integrity, professionalism, and dedication to the game, he devoted a significant part of his life to serving hockey and supporting the development of young people. To preserve his legacy, two scholarships will be awarded annually to student-athletes who also serve as referees in minor hockey. Recipients will be selected based on their academic achievement, involvement in officiating, leadership, ethical standards, and positive contributions to the hockey community. The creation of this scholarship has been made possible through a partnership between the QMJHL and the LHPS, which share a common commitment to recognizing youth engagement and the vital role officials play in our sport. "Nicolas embodied the very best values of hockey. He firmly believed in youth development, the importance of education, and the essential role officials play in our game. This scholarship will ensure that his values and legacy continue to inspire future generations. We are extremely proud to partner with the LHPS to honour his memory in a meaningful and lasting way," said QMJHL Deputy Commissioner Martin Lavallée. For the LHPS—which will cease operations this summer and wished to leave a lasting legacy for young people—this initiative also serves as a tangible way to recognize the exceptional impact Nicolas Dutil had on youth. "Nicolas was a man of great compassion who believed in the potential of every young person. His commitment extended far beyond the boundaries of the rink. He understood the importance of developing good people before developing good athletes. Through this scholarship, we hope to inspire young people to follow his example and pursue their growth with passion, respect, and integrity," said Dave Horth, Vice-President of the LHPS. Details regarding the nomination process and the awarding of the Nicolas-Dutil Memorial Scholarship will be announced at a later date.

QMJHL Partners with Spiideo to Transform Video Replay Across the League

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:12:18 +0000

The partnership will bring multi-angle, cloud-based replay to all 18 venues to enhance the player, official and fan experience

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and Spiideo have announced a multi-year partnership that will bring multi-angle, cloud-based video replay and performance analysis technology across the league. The partnership will kick off in tandem with the 2026-27 season. Every QMJHL arena will be equipped with multi-angle automated cameras, providing complete visual coverage of the ice. This addresses one of the most persistent challenges in junior hockey: the limitations of single-camera setups that leave blind spots on the ice and prevent officials from reviewing plays with confidence. With seven camera angles deployed at every venue, the league will achieve complete ice coverage that ensures every incident can be reviewed thoroughly and fairly. Standardization across the league ensures that officials and coaches always have access to the same tools and footage quality, regardless of location. This consistency improves the accuracy of rulings and guarantees a level playing field for all teams. “I am very excited to welcome this new partnership with Spiideo, an important step in the QMJHL’s evolution,” said QMJHL Vice-President of Hockey Operations, Éric Chouinard. “This platform was designed to simplify the way we work and foster even more effective collaboration with our officials and teams. It represents much more than just a tool; it reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this project a reality. Together, let’s make this new platform a driver of performance, innovation, and collective success.” This partnership carries critical implications for player safety. High-quality, multi-angle footage enables officials to accurately assess dangerous plays in real time, ensuring that hazardous conduct is consistently identified and penalized. The result is a safer playing environment for every athlete in the league. Beyond game-day operations, Spiideo's technology will support the QMJHL's official development program. League officiating staff will use the footage to analyze calls, identify areas for growth, and deliver precise, evidence-based feedback to on-ice officials. This ongoing development pipeline will accelerate the growth of officials within the league and raise the consistency and standard of officiating across all venues. “The QMJHL is one of the most respected development leagues in the world, and this partnership reflects a shared belief that the next generation of players and officials deserve the same standard of technology as the pros. Every player on the ice deserves to be seen clearly and every call deserves to be made with confidence,” said Patrik Olsson, CEO of Spiideo. The QMJHL partnership is part of Spiideo's broader commitment to serving hockey at every level. With a full product suite trusted by organizations in the NHL, AHL, OHL, and more, Spiideo ensures that no matter where the game is played, teams, officials, and players have the tools they need to perform, develop, and compete at their best. _ About Spiideo Spiideo is the video automation platform used to officiate, coach and broadcast team sports on all levels to their full potential. Built on a unique engine of automated cameras, broadcast video, and arena calibration -threaded with data- Spiideo captures the full context of every game and practice. It’s how coaching staff work better with multi-angle video, officiating teams get decisive sight lines in seconds, and broadcasters reliably expand coverage. Found in 7,000+ arenas across the NHL, AHL, OHL, Premier League, NBA, and more, our intelligent camera systems and cloud-first software helps the global sports community to manage margins on the field and balance the books off it.

QMJHL announces finalists for three administrative trophies

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:03:03 +0000

Just hours before the 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft presented by Fenplast, the League has announced the finalists for its three administrative awards: the Jean-Sawyer Trophy, the John-Horman Trophy and the Denis-Arsenault Trophy. -- Jean-Sawyer Trophy Administrative Team of the Year

Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Québec Remparts
Newfoundland Regiment

-- John-Horman Trophy Administrator of the Year

Serge Proulx, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Tommy Castonguay, Québec Remparts
Glenn Stanford and Ken O’Leary, Newfoundland Regiment

-- Denis-Arsenault Trophy Academic Advisor of the Year

Bruce Cluney and Hannah Woodworth, Charlottetown Islanders
Dominique Bilodeau and Yvan Nolet, Gatineau Olympiques
Janique Duval, Val-d’Or Foreurs

-- The winners will be announced on Saturday morning, prior to the second day of the 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft.

QMJHL announces the appointment of Ghislain Hébert as Director of Officiating

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:33:18 +0000

The QMJHL is proud to announce the appointment of Ghislain Hébert as Director of Officiating, succeeding Richard Trottier, who held the position for the past 16 seasons. Hébert officiated in the NHL from 2009 to 2025, working 1,005 regular-season games over the course of his career. Last season, he officiated in Germany’s top professional league, the DEL. Prior to joining the NHL in 2009, he spent one season in both the ECHL and the American Hockey League after a seven-year stint in the QMJHL, including four seasons as a linesman and three as a referee. Ghislain Hébert assumes his new responsibilities effective immediately and will report to QMJHL Vice-President of Hockey Operations, Éric Chouinard. “We are very pleased to welcome Ghislain to our team,” said Commissioner Mario Cecchini. “Hockey continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and he will help ensure our League benefits from those changes. His communication skills will be appreciated by all stakeholders.” “With his résumé, it was clear to us that Ghislain Hébert was the ideal candidate for this role,” added Éric Chouinard. “His experience will strengthen our team, and his expertise will be a tremendous asset to both our officials and the League as a whole.” “I accept the role of Director of Officiating of the QMJHL with great pride and humility,” said Hébert. “The QMJHL holds a special place in my career, and I am determined to give back by contributing to the development, guidance, and excellence of our officials. My goal is to continue the tradition of integrity, professionalism, and rigor that defines our League, while helping prepare the next generation to reach the highest levels of officiating. I am honoured to return to this great family and excited to share my professional experience with all stakeholders as we continue to elevate the standard of officiating in the QMJHL.”

Memorial Cup: Saguenéens suffer semi-final loss

Sat, 30 May 2026 04:09:58 +0000

The 2025-26 season is over for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Yanick Jean’s squad was defeated 6-1 by the Everett Silvertips in the Memorial Cup semi-final on Friday night. After a cautious start in which both teams were feeling each other out and looking to avoid mistakes, the game suddenly produced three goals in a six-minute span. Jaxsin Vaughan opened the scoring at 7:56 following a defensive-zone miscue involving Emmanuel Vermette and Tomas Lavoie. Lavoie redeemed himself in spectacular fashion at 12:01. He collected the puck at the left point, cut in to the left of goaltender Anders Miller, and beat him with a precise shot on the short side. However, less than two minutes later, Landon Dupont restored the Silvertips’ lead. The second period belonged to the WHL champions, who scored three goals. Carter Bear at 5:39, Zackary Shantz at 12:35, and Dupont with his second of the game at 18:38 put the contest out of reach for the Sags. Everett added a sixth goal just 45 seconds into the third period. More details on the game here The Saguenéens can nevertheless leave Kelowna with their heads held high. They defeated the host Kelowna Rockets and battled hard against the Kitchener Rangers and Everett, after ending a 32-year championship drought by defeating the Moncton Wildcats in the Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final. Several Saguenéens players will be moving on next season, including the team’s three overage players: Emmanuel Vermette, Jordan Tourigny, and Peteris Bulans. After a record streak of four consecutive Memorial Cup championships, the QMJHL has not captured the Canadian championship since 2023.

Memorial Cup: A second loss for the Saguenéens

Wed, 27 May 2026 03:52:48 +0000

The Chicoutimi Saguenéens got off to a strong start, but ultimately fell 3-2 to the Kitchener Rangers on Tuesday at the Memorial Cup. The Saguenéens therefore conclude the preliminary round with a record of one win and two losses. They will now await the result of Wednesday’s game between the Everett Silvertips (1-1) and the Kelowna Rockets (0-2) before learning their fate. Two scenarios remain possible for the Sags: playing in the tiebreaker game on Thursday, or advancing directly to the semifinal on Friday. As for the Rangers, they have already secured a spot in Sunday’s final thanks to their perfect 3-0 record. The Saguenéens played an excellent first period, limiting the Ontario Hockey League champions to just five shots on Lucas Beckman. However, Kitchener came out flying in the second period, scoring twice in 3:37. Luca Romano opened the scoring at 1:38, and two minutes later, Sam O’Reilly pounced on a rebound from Jack Pridham to make it 2-0. Émile Ricard cut the deficit in half at 8:38, with assists from Nathan Lecompte and Christophe Berthelot. The O’Reilly-Pridham duo struck again just 21 seconds into the third period. O’Reilly fed Dylan Edwards, who found Pridham, whose slapshot sent the cap flying off Beckman’s water bottle positioned behind the netminder. Then, at 8:44, Jordan Tourigny received a five-minute major and was ejected from the game for kicking Christian Humphreys while the two were battling for the puck along the boards. The Rangers were unable to capitalize on the ensuing power play. Mavrick Lachance brought the Sags within 3-2 with 3:54 remaining, but it was too little, too late. More details on the game HERE.