QMJHL announces Defenseman of the Year finalists
The QMJHL continues its virtual presentation of the Golden Pucks by naming the finalists for the Émile-Bouchard Trophy, awarded to the Defenseman of the Year.
The 2023-24 finalists are:
Vsevolod Komarov, Drummondville Voltigeurs
In his third QMJHL season, Komarov led the league’s defensemen with 69 points and 55 assists while finishing third with 14 goals, a +47 differential and 20 power-play helpers. Traded from the Quebec Remparts to the Voltigeurs in early December, the 6’3″, 188 lb. right-hander was particularly dominant with his new team, collecting 50 points (11G-39A) in just 38 games. Komarov was a fifth-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2022.
Maveric Lamoureux, Drummondville Voltigeurs
An injury and an appearance with Canada at the World Junior Championship limited Lamoureux to 39 games with the Voltigeurs. But that didn’t stop him from racking up 33 points (9G-24A) and a +21 differential. When healthy, the 6’7″, 214 lb. giant formed a formidable trio alongside Vsevolod Komarov and Mikaël Diotte, helping the Voltigeurs finish first in the Western Conference. Lamoureux was a first-round pick, 29th overall, at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Pier-Olivier Roy, Victoriaville Tigres
In his fourth season with the Tigres, Roy pulled out all the stops at the team’s blue line and shined with 50 points in 66 games, including a personal-best 10 goals. The second-highest scoring defenseman in Victoriaville finished with 28 points. The veteran d-man also posted an excellent +37 ratio, even though he repeatedly played against the opposition’s top players. Number 5 was also a finalist for the Kevin-Lowe Trophy, awarded to the QMJHL’s Top Defensive Defenseman.