Third overall pick in the 2022 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft, Maxim Massé concluded his second season with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. He was drafted at 66e ranked by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2024 draft. He collaborated monthly with the NHL.com team to bring you the ups and downs of his draft eligibility year.
Hello everyone,
I am writing to you live from Las Vegas with my Anaheim Ducks jersey on my back! What a relief it was to hear my name called at 66e echelon, at the very beginning of the third round, in the big Sphere. It made me forget all the more negative emotions that I experienced in the last hours.
I was hoping to be called in the first round on Friday and I was a little disappointed when that didn’t happen. At the same time, I know that it’s not the selection rank that will determine whether I reach the NHL or not. I’m going to look forward and use that as motivation.
Since I returned to my hotel without a sweater on Friday, it has still been a good roller coaster of emotions. When I looked at my phone when I got back, I saw a text message from Ethan Gauthier, who experienced the same thing last year. He told me that it didn’t change anything and that I was going to forget everything on Saturday.
It’s always good to get a little advice from someone who’s been there. I really appreciated Ethan’s gesture, it’s the fun that he took the time to send me a little message.
It’s true that I forgot everything: I’m going to Anaheim now. I’m going to leave the minus-30 degrees of Chicoutimi for the 30 degrees of California. It’ll be a change!
I had good discussions with the Ducks’ Quebec scout, Stéphane Pilotte. I also had a good feeling when I met all the management at the player evaluation session. I know it’s a team that likes to draw in Quebec, so I had the impression that they could draft me.
In recent years, they have chosen Nathan Gaucher, Tristan Luneau and Noah Warren. I’ve faced them all, but I don’t know them personally. I think it could help me integrate into the group, even if I’m confident I can do it with the English-speaking players.
I’m excited to join a rebuilding team with excellent young prospects. I also have to say that the jersey looks spectacular with the old Mighty Ducks logo. It brings back fond memories of the movie series I watched when I was young.
It was a pleasure working with the NHL.com team to bring you my draft year. I can’t wait to start this new chapter with the Ducks.
See you soon I hope!
Comments collected by Guillaume Lepage, LNH.com journalist
