Field set for 2024 Memorial Cup

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The field is now set for the 2024 Memorial Cup.

The London Knights and Moose Jaw Warriors secured their spots in the tournament on Wednesday night, joining the QMJHL champion Drummondville Voltigeurs and host Saginaw Spirit. The tournament begins next Friday in Michigan.

All four championship series ended in sweeps, which is a CHL first. Drummondville and London had fairly easy times with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Oshawa Generals, respectively, while Moose Jaw had a few close games with the Portland Winterhawks.

🗓️ Plan accordingly! #MemorialCup

📺💻📱TSN | RDS | NHL Network (🇺🇸) | #CHLTV (🌍) pic.twitter.com/vF65CknKdZ

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 16, 2024

Both Saginaw and Moose Jaw will be making their Memorial Cup debuts. This was the first WHL championship for the Warriors despite their franchise dating back 40 years.

Drummondville will be making their fourth appearance and first since 2009.

London, meanwhile, has been no stranger to this tournament over the past 20 years. The Knights will be playing in their sixth Memorial Cup since 2005 and will be looking for a third title. They'll likely be favourites going into this given how they handled the OHL with relative ease this season – which included eliminating Saginaw in the third round of the playoffs.

All three league champions will have over a week to prepare for the Memorial Cup. Saginaw hasn't played since May 5.

The QMJHL has won the past four Memorial Cups. The OHL last won it in 2017 (Windsor Spitfires) while no WHL team has won since 2014 (Edmonton Oil Kings).

Wildcats begin MacDougall era

Moncton Wildcats

The Moncton Wildcats officially became one of the most intriguing teams heading into the 2024-25 season on Wednesday.

At a press conference held at Avenir Centre, the Wildcats named Gardiner MacDougall the team's new head coach while his son, agent and former QMJHL player Taylor MacDougall, will be the club's new general manager and director of hockey operations.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era," said Wildcats president Robert K. Irving in a news release. "I’m thrilled to announce that Gardiner and Taylor will be working together to lead the Moncton Wildcats. It’s great to have them in place as we prepare to host the upcoming Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League draft in June. I want to personally welcome them to our organization. I know our fans will be excited by the dynamic, fast-paced, entertaining, and most importantly… winning style of hockey that Gardiner and Taylor bring to the game.”

This is a big time move by Irving, one that has presumably been in the works for some time given the unexpected Ritchie Thibeau announcement last month. Everyone that follows the QMJHL knows that Irving badly wants to win a Memorial Cup and these hirings are his biggest push yet.

Having the MacDougalls in the league brings everything: excitement, expectations and mystery. For Wildcats fans, this is a huge shot of adrenaline after a disappointing season. Given Gardiner's success at UNB, a Memorial Cup with Saint John and a world under-18 gold medal, expectations are very high. But there is also some mystery and intrigue given Gardiner's limited junior hockey coaching experience (although he's been quite successful in what he has done) and the fact that Taylor is a first time general manager.

The two inherit a team that is hitting the upswing of its cycle but there's little doubt the 2024-25 Wildcats will have a different look and style compared to what we've seen in recent years. This will be a fascinating off-season.

The pressure is now on the Wildcats organization to make high expectations a reality. They have a committed owner with deep pockets. They have one of the best facilities in junior hockey. They now have (we think) one of the best hockey ops staffs in the league. They've got everything to be one of the CHL's top franchises. It's time for the Wildcats to start landing some big recruits, consistently winning and grabbing some championships.

Voltigeurs win Gilles-Courteau Trophy

TSN

For the first time since 2009, the Drummondville Voltigeurs are champions of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

The Voltigeurs completed a sweep of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar on Tuesday night with a 4-3 win. The victory gives the Volts the Gilles-Courteau Trophy and a spot in the Memorial Cup.

The Volts winning the QMJHL title doesn't come as a huge surprise. They loaded up this year and finished the regular season with the second best record. The surprise was how they handled the Drakkar, the league's top team all year, with ease.

A 15-year wait ends! @VoltigeursDRU are @QMJHL champions again! 🏆#RoadtoMemorialCup pic.twitter.com/7plM9gMpzy

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 15, 2024

With the exception of Game 2 that needed overtime, Drummondville had little trouble with Baie-Comeau. The Volts outscored the high powered Drakkar 16-5 with almost all of Baie-Comeau's goals coming in the final two games when they were already out of reach.

Veteran defenseman Vsevolod Komarov was named playoff MVP. Other strong candidates for the Guy Lafleur Trophy were forward Ethan Gauthier and goaltender Riley Mercer.

Another standout for the Voltigeurs was Saint John native Sam Oliver, who finished the series with three goals – two of which came in Tuesday's clinching game.

The Volts also feature former Saint John Sea Dogs forward Noah Reinhart, who was held pointless in the series.

Thanks to the sweep, Drummondville has plenty of time to prepare for the Memorial Cup. Their first game will be Saturday, May 25 against the Ontario Hockey League champion.

MacDougall retires from UNB; expected to join Wildcats

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Gardiner MacDougall announced his retirement from the UNB Reds on Tuesday evening.

MacDougall, who has been the head coach of UNB since the 2000-01 season and leaves with nine national championships, is expected to be named the new head coach of the Moncton Wildcats on Wednesday.

Hockey Icon.
Legendary Leader.
All-Time Great.

Gardiner MacDougall announces his retirement from UNB.

Thank you, Coach.#goredsgo pic.twitter.com/HnExqJZgiA

— UNB Reds (@UNBAthletics) May 14, 2024

MacDougall leaves UNB as one of the greatest coaches in Canadian university hockey history, turning the Reds into a national powerhouse. He leaves the program on top having won back-to-back national titles and not losing a single game this past season.

There are plenty of questions about the future of the Reds program, but the future of MacDougall appears to be known.

According to sources and several reports, MacDougall will be named the new head coach of the Wildcats at a news conference on Wednesday while his son, former QMJHL and UNB player Taylor MacDougall, will take the reins as general manager.

QMJHL News - Sounds like UNB's Gardiner McDougall will be the next head coach of the Moncton Wildcats, with his son Taylor MacDougall taking over the GM position. Taylor, who is considered a major up-and-comer, had been working as an agent with Roy Sports Group.

— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) May 14, 2024

The duo will replace coach Dan Lacroix (fired soon after Moncton was eliminated from the playoffs) and director of hockey operations Ritchie Thibeau (who took a new position within the JD Irving company). 

Crucial Game 3 awaits Drakkar

Baie-Comeau Drakkar

It goes without saying but it will be said anyways: Monday's game is a big one for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

After losing at home (on back-to-back nights) for the first this post-season, the Drakkar head to Drummondville down 2-0 in the Gilles Courteau Trophy final. Game 3 takes place Monday night at 8 p.m. at the Marcel Dionne Centre. The game can be seen on TSN.

Not only did the Drakkar lose the first two games, they've yet to score a single goal. Voltigeurs netminder Riley Mercer has been outstanding, stopping all 76 shots he's faced in the series. In a scoreless third period on Friday, Mercer kept Drummondville in the game by making a few ridiculous saves.

The Volts are 7-1-0-0 on home ice this post-season. This will not be an easy task for the Drakkar – but a win Monday is essentially a must.

A few other news and notes...

• At the IIHF World Championship on Sunday, former Sea Dogs forward Raivis Ansons and Latvia defeated France 3-2 in overtime. The Latvians are now 2-0 with both of their wins coming in overtime. Ansons played 9:19 but did not record a point or shot on goal. Latvia plays Kazakhstan on Tuesday.
• Charlie Coyle and the Boston Bruins are now down 3-1 in their second round playoff series to the Florida Panthers following a 3-2 loss on Sunday. Coyle led all Bruins forwards in ice time with 20:13 and recorded three shots. Game 5 is Tuesday in Florida.
• At the Centennial Cup in Oakville, the Maritime Hockey League champion Miramichi Timberwolves improved to 2-1 with a 5-3 win over the Sioux Lookout Bombers. The Timberwolves return to action on Tuesday when they face the Winkler Flyers.
• In the other CHL championship series: London leads Oshawa 2-0 and Moose Jaw leads Portland 2-0. Note that the WHL final is a 2-3-2 series with Portland having home ice advantage.

Notebook: Q prospects picked in USHL Draft

Two of the top prospects for the upcoming QMJHL Entry Draft were high picks in last week's USHL Draft.

Defenseman Cameron Chartrand, ranked as the fifth best skater for this year's Entry Draft by QMJHL Central Scouting, went 17th overall to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders while Maddox Dagenais, the top ranked prospect, went 25th overall to the Sioux City Musketeers. 

These selections could end up meaning nothing in terms of the QMJHL Entry Draft and these players report to the league... but it could also be the beginnings of a college hockey pathway.

Been talk about @ridertownusa Phase I draft pick Cameron Chartrand being high pick in QMJHL draft. Riders Coach/GM Mark Carlson said "We're thrilled with Cam. He is real excited to play in Cedar Rapids, really excited about going the college route. We couldn't be happier." #USHL

— Jeff Johnson (@jeje66) May 8, 2024

Other notable selections in Phase I of the draft:

• Maxim Dubé went 31st overall to the Madison Capitols (ranked 27th by QMJHL Central Scouting).
• Dylan Rozzi went 56th overall to the Youngstown Phantoms (ranked 11th).
• Frisco, Texas native Loic Nasreddine went 123rd overall to the Des Moines Buccaneers. He's eligible for the QMJHL Entry Draft because of his father. 
• Alexandre Taillefer went 125th overall to the Chicago Steel (ranked 12th).

Check out this Twitter feed for more on the QMJHL prospects picked.

WILDCAST

I went on the Wildcast podcast this week to discuss the Gardiner MacDougall rumours and the status of the Sea Dogs heading into next month's QMJHL Entry Draft.

Voltigeurs take 2-0 series lead over Drakkar

HALIFAX – I tried the Tim Hortons pizza on Friday. It was... alright. Definitely a bit undercooked. But I've had worse pizza.

I give it a 5/10. Like most things at Tims, quality probably varies from pizza to pizza.

Anyways, onto the hockey...

• The Drummondville Voltigeurs won a tremendous goaltending battle on Friday, defeating the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 1-0 in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead in the Gilles Courteau Trophy final. Ethan Gauthier scored the game winner 5:23 into overtime.

Ethan Gauthier in OT❕

The #GoBolts prospect gives the @VoltigeursDRU a 2-0 series lead in the Gilles-Courteau Trophy final! #RoadtoMemorialCup | #QPlayoffs

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 11, 2024

• High powered Baie-Comeau has, shockingly, yet to score a goal in this series, losing 5-0 Thursday and 1-0 Friday. On top of that, the Drakkar were 7-0 on home ice in the post-season heading into this series and have dropped both games at the Henry Leonard Centre. The series now shifts to Drummondville for Games 3 and 4.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Noah Reinhart of the Voltigeurs has been held pointless in both games of this series and in his past five playoff games overall. 
• The offensive struggles continued for the Boston Bruins on Friday, recording just 16 shots in a 6-2 home loss to the Florida Panthers. Florida now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1. Boston's Charlie Coyle, the lone former Sea Dog playing in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, was held pointless in 18:15 of ice time.
• At the Centennial Cup in Oakville, ON, the Miramichi Timberwolves rebounded from a Thursday loss (4-1 to the Melfort Mustangs) by defeating the host Oakville Blades 7-4 on Friday. Former Sea Dogs forward Cole Foston had a goal in the win. The Timberwolves are back in action on Sunday against the Sioux Lookout Bombers.

  Goal! Cole Foston finishes off the play on a turnover to give @MTimberWolves a 4-1 lead over the @OakvilleBlades.#CentennialCup pic.twitter.com/TsoNO0Pui7

  — The MHL (@THEMHL) May 11, 2024

What will Eagles do with top pick?

QMJHL

Could the first overall pick in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Entry Draft be available?

The Cape Breton Eagles said all the right things at a recent season ending town hall, saying they plan to use the pick at the moment... but that could always change.

General Manager Sylvain Couturier discussed his plans for the first overall draft pick during last night’s Town Hall press conference. #goeaglesgo pic.twitter.com/ztvKU2r8b9

— Cape Breton Eagles (@CBEHockey) May 8, 2024

Logic says the pick is likely in play. While no team would refuse picking first overall, it just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense for the Eagles right now. They are a team that will likely contend this coming season and a 16-year-old probably isn't what they are looking to add to their lineup – but you never know. While Cape Breton had an impressive run this year, they are a franchise that's done more than a few odd an unexpected things over the years.

The demand for the first overall pick may not be as high as in past years. This draft class does not have the star power of previous drafts – or last year's, which is looking like an impressive class.

The Eagles won the QMJHL's draft lottery with a pick that originally belonged to Saint John. The Sea Dogs are currently scheduled to pick fifth and eighth overall in the opening round and again in the second and third rounds. 

League finals set; Memorial Cup host out early again

OHL

Winning the Memorial Cup as the host team? That's hard. Winning your league as the Memorial Cup host team? That's proven to be even harder.

The Saginaw Spirit, the host of this year's Memorial Cup tournament, were eliminated from the Ontario Hockey League playoffs in the third round by the London Knights. The Spirit's last game was on May 5 and they won't play again until May 24 when they host the Western Hockey League champions.

Remarkably, Saginaw's elimination means no Memorial Cup host team has won their respective league since the 2008 Kitchener Rangers. No host team has won both the Memorial Cup and their respective league since the 2005 London Knights, considered one of the greatest junior teams of all-time.

Here is how each Memorial Cup host has done in their league playoffs since the last host champion (Kitchener) in 2008.... pic.twitter.com/W0Xx0JglIM

— Steve McLean (@SteveMcLean888) May 5, 2024

Since 2008, three host teams have managed to lift the Memorial Cup on home ice: the 2012 Shawinigan Cataractes, the 2017 Windsor Spitfires and the 2022 Saint John Sea Dogs (the Sea Dogs were, oddly, involved in all three of those tournaments).

It's fair to say that this is officially a trend – and can the Rimouski Oceanic stop it by winning the Gilles Courteau Trophy next year?

For the 14th straight CHL season the Memorial Cup host will not win their league title. Last time the host did win their league was Kitchener in 2008.
The longest stretch before this one was 7 seasons on two different occasions, 1988-1994 & 1998-2004.

— Steve McLean (@SteveMcLean888) May 5, 2024

With Saginaw out in the third round, all three league championships will have a berth in the Memorial Cup on the line.

Final QMJHL Entry Draft rankings released

OMHA

QMJHL Central Scouting has unveiled its final rankings ahead of next month's Entry Draft.

Topping the list is Maddox Dagenais, a Montreal born forward who spent this past season playing with the Quinte Red Devils in the Ontario under-16 circuit. Dagenais posted 42 goals and 81 points in 35 games.

Ranked second is Fredericton native Tynan Lawrence, the brother of former Saint John Sea Dogs forward Josh Lawrence. The 15-year-old posted 22 goals and 49 points in 50 games at Shattuck St. Mary's this past season.

In a perfect world, the Sea Dogs trading up to land Lawrence would make a lot of sense. But Lawrence has tendered with the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks for next season and seems poised to take the college hockey route. This all makes Lawrence a wildcard in terms of where he'll get picked on draft day.

There are a number of higher end prospects believed to be playing the college hockey card, which will complicate this year's draft. Lawrence's teammates from the Youth Olympic Games – where Sea Dogs head coach Travis Crickard was an assistant – appear to both be looking at other options. Nova Scotia forward Aiden O'Donnell was already picked in the OHL Draft while defenseman Cameron Chartrand, ranked fifth after playing this past season at a US prep school, is believed to be looking at college hockey options.

With O'Donnell gone to the OHL, Lawrence was the lone Atlantic Canadian ranked in the top-20 by Central Scouting.

The Sea Dogs currently pick fifth and eighth in this year's draft – but that could always change. The Cape Breton Eagles currently own the first overall pick.

The QMJHL Entry Draft takes place June 7-8 in Moncton.

Notebook: QMJHL final begins Thursday

Baie-Comeau Drakkar

The Gilles Courteau Trophy final between the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Drummondville Voltigeurs will begin on Thursday at the Henry Leonard Centre.

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League has unveiled the full schedule for the championship series. The winner advances to the 2024 Memorial Cup in Saginaw.

Here's the full schedule:

1- Thursday, May 9, 8 p.m., in Baie-Comeau 

2- Friday, May 10, 8 p.m., in Baie-Comeau 

3- Monday, May 13, 8 p.m., in Drummondville 

4- Tuesday, May 14, 8 p.m., in Drummondville 

5- Thursday, May 16, 8 p.m., in Baie-Comeau* 

6- Saturday, May 18, 8 p.m., in Drummondville* 

7- Tuesday, May 21, 8 p.m., in Baie-Comeau* 

*if necessary

All games will be broadcast on TSN and RDS.

Noah Reinhart of the Voltigeurs is the lone former Saint John Sea Dog taking part in the final.

MACDOUGALL POST-GAME

Here's former Sea Dogs head coach Gardiner MacDougall speaking after leading Team Canada to an IIHF Under-18 World Championship on the weekend.

Team Canada wins U18 gold

TSN

Team Canada has won gold at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship.

Top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers netted a hat trick while Owen Sound Attack goaltender Carter George was phenomenal, leading Canada to a thrilling 6-4 win over the United States in Sunday's gold medal game.

The Americans were the better team through two periods (shots were 31-9) and led Canada 3-2 in the third. Midway through the final frame, a five-minute major was given to Trevor Connelly – an already controversial prospect – for a check to the head. The penalty changed everything, allowing Canada to score three times and take control of the game. Shots in the third ended 14-4 in favour of Canada.

UNB's Gardiner MacDougall, who led the Saint John Sea Dogs to the 2022 Memorial Cup championship, was Canada's head coach. Current Sea Dogs head coach Travis Crickard, who was an assistant under MacDougall at the Memorial Cup, was one of Canada's assistants for this tournament.

Gardiner MacDougall with 56 straight wins in all competitions with Team Canada and UNB now.

Since May 2021:
3 AUS titles
1 FISU Gold
2 U Cups
2022 Memorial Cup
2024 U18 World Champs gold

Canada wins a crazy gold medal game v USA today for an undefeated U18 Worlds.

— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) May 5, 2024

QMJHL players on Team Canada included Maxime Masse (Chicoutimi), Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton) and Spencer Gill (Rimouski).

The tournament will be remembered for the showdown between American forward James Hagens, the top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, and McKenna. Hagens, the tournament MVP and a Boston College commit, finished with nine goals and 13 assists. McKenna, who won't turn 17 until late December, finished with 10 goals and 10 assists.

Despite his age, McKenna has a strong shot at making Canada's world junior team. And you have to wonder... could MacDougall also be part of the world junior team? We'll see.

Volts, Drakkar to meet in QMJHL final

QMJHL X

The two best teams from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League regular season will meet in the Gilles Courteau Trophy final.

The Drummondville Voltigeurs secured their spot in the final with a 3-2 overtime win over the Victoriaville Tigres on Friday, taking the semifinal series in five games. Alexis Gendron scored the winner just 11 seconds into overtime.

Game over! Alexis Gendron nets his second of the game after only 11 seconds of OT to send the @VoltigeursDRU to the #QPlayoffs Final!

Hats off to the @TigresVicto on their great 2023-24 campaign. 👏 pic.twitter.com/QlUheHnOY1

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) May 4, 2024

The Voltigeurs will face the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the championship series. The Drakkar secured their spot on Thursday with a Game 5 overtime win over the Cape Breton Eagles.

Drummondville advancing means one former Saint John Sea Dog still has a shot at the Gilles Courteau Trophy. Forward Noah Reinhart has five goals and six assists in 15 playoff games with the Volts.

The Drakkar will have home ice advantage in the series after finishing first in the regular season standings with a 53-12-2-1 record for 109 points. The Voltigeurs were second with a 48-14-5-1 record for 102 points.

Baie-Comeau has lost just one game this post-season and are 7-0 at home. Drummondville, meanwhile, is 12-3.

This is the Drakkar's first trip to the league final since 2014 and will be looking for their first championship. For the Voltigeurs, this is their first time in the league final since winning in 2009.

The winner of this series will represent the QMJHL at the 2024 Memorial Cup in Saginaw.

No other league final has been locked in yet in the CHL. In the OHL, the London Knights lead the Saginaw Spirit 3-2 while the Oshawa Generals lead the North Bay Battalion 3-2. In the WHL, the Portland Winterhawks lead the Prince George Cougars 3-2 while the Saskatoon Blades lead the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-2.

Drakkar advance to QMJHL final

The Baie-Comeau Drakkar are heading to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League final.

The Drakkar secured their spot with a 2-1 overtime win over the Cape Breton Eagles on Thursday in Baie-Comeau, winning the series 4-1. The Drakkar have yet to lose a home game this post-season and have just one loss overall.

pic.twitter.com/kYodaCUImC

— 🦀Drakkar de Baie-Comeau🦀 (@DrakkarBAC) May 3, 2024

The Drakkar fell in the league final in 2013 to the Halifax Mooseheads and in 2014 to the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

The Eagles loss means no Maritimes Division team will appear in the league final for the first time since 2021. It also ends the junior career of overage forward Cam MacDonald, who was part of the Saint John Sea Dogs' 2022 Memorial Cup championship team. Former Sea Dogs forward Cole Burbidge is also a member of the Eagles.

Cape Breton was one of the QMJHL's best teams in the second half and this playoff run has rejuvenated its fan base. Hopefully that can carry over into next season.

Who will the Drakkar play in the league final? It will be either the Drummondville Voltigeurs or Victoriaville Tigres. The Volts lead that series 3-1 heading into Game 5 on Friday in Drummondville.

Notebook: Tigres stay alive

Alexandre Garneau/Victoriaville Tigres

The Victoriaville Tigres staved off elimination on Wednesday night.

Benjamin Vigneault scored just 1:35 into overtime to give the Tigres are a 3-2 win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs and avoiding a sweep. The Volts will try once again to earn a spot in the QMJHL final in Friday's Game 5, which will take place in Drummondville.

95 seconds into overtime! ⏲️

Benjamin Vigneault's point shot keeps @TigresVicto in their series with Drummondville! #RoadtoMemorialCup

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 2, 2024

The Drakkar/Eagles series resumes Thursday in Baie-Comeau following a nasty Game 4 that ended in an 8-2 Drakkar win. Eagles forward Cam MacDonald and Drakkar goaltender Charles-Edward Gravel recieved match penalties on separate plays – but no players will be suspended for Game 5, according to reports.

Il n’y aura pas de suspension liée au match Drakkar vs Eagles d’hier. #lesoleil

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) May 1, 2024

The Drakkar can clinch a spot in the league final with a win while an Eagles victory would send the series back to Sydney for Game 6 on Saturday.

JOB OPENINGS

There are some high profile job openings in the Maritimes Division right now.

The Halifax Mooseheads are looking for a new head coach after firing Jim Midgley after just one season. Midgley is a former Sea Dogs assistant coach and Rothesay Netherwood head coach.

The Moncton Wildcats, meanwhile, are looking for a new head coach after parting ways with Dan Lacroix. That move was long expected – but what wasn't expected was Moncton also starting the search for a new general manager. The team announced on April 18 that general manager Ritchie Thibeau "has accepted a senior position with J.D Irving effective May 6 and will be leaving the team."

Both the Mooseheads and Wildcats were swept in the first round of the playoffs and underperformed in the second half. The two teams are heading in different directions though with Halifax likely starting a rebuild and Moncton entering its contention window.