QMJHL announces finalists for the Raymond-Lagacé Trophy
The QMJHL continues to honour its own through the Golden Puck Awards. Today, the finalists for the Raymond-Lagacé Trophy, awarded to the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The three finalists are:
Alex Huang, defenseman, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Drafted fifth overall by the Saguenéens last June, Huang had an excellent rookie season with 36 points (8G-28A) in 61 games. Only Xavier Villeneuve had more assists and points than him among rookie defensemen, and the two finished tied with eight goals. Huang also led all first-year players with 19 power-play assists (tied with the Foreurs’ Philippe Veilleux) and was one of Yanick Jean’s most trusted men on the blue line, even though he was only 16 years old.
Jakub Milota, goaltender, Cape Breton Eagles
Milota led all QMJHL rookie goaltenders with 18 wins (18-11-1-0), three shutouts, a 2.82 GAA and a .905 save percentage. In fact, only nine goaltenders had a save percentage of at least .905 this season, and he’s one of them. Selected 23rd overall in the most recent CHL Import Draft, the 17-year-old Czech formed one of the best goaltending duos in the league alongside veteran Nicolas Ruccia.
Xavier Villeneuve, defenseman, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Tenth in league rookie scoring, Villeneuve led all first-year defensemen with 8 goals (tied with Alex Huang), 35 assists and 43 points, despite playing only 54 of 68 games. He finished third among rookie skaters with 35 assists and 18 power-play assists (tied with Caleb Desnoyers). The seventh pick in the most recent QMJHL Entry Draft also averaged 0.80 points per game. Only four rookies did better.
