While a few big names have left the QMJHL to begin their professional careers, such as Jordan Dumais and Justin Gill, several players who dominated last year are returning for the 2024-2025 season.
• Also read: QMJHL: All eyes on the Rimouski Oceanic… but they won’t be alone
The Journal presents seven players you’ll want to keep an eye on this season.
Justin Poirier, Right Winger, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Photo AFP / GETTY IMAGES, ETHAN MILLER
Few players have generated as much buzz as Poirier this past season. The small forward, who scored 69 goals last year (51 in the season and 18 in the playoffs), had to wait until the end of the fifth round before being drafted by an NHL team, namely the Carolina Hurricanes. With his draft year behind him, we can expect Poirier to be dominant this season.
Ethan Gauthier, Right Wing, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Photo provided by the VOLTIGEURS DE DRUMMONDVILLE, GHYSLAIN BERGERON
Gauthier’s name will be a hot topic this season. The Drummondville Voltigeurs have just won the Gilles-Courteau Trophy and will be starting a youth shift which means that Gauthier’s name will be very popular on the trade market. He should be worth his weight in gold.
Mathieu Cataford, Center, Rimouski Oceanic
Archive photo DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE
The Rimouski Oceanic is aiming for top honors and that is why it acquired Cataford during the last QMJHL draft. The most recent winner of the league’s most valuable player title Cecchini will be the cornerstone of the Oceanic’s attack.
Caleb Desnoyers, Center, Moncton Wildcats
Photo courtesy of MONCTON WILDCATS, DANIEL ST LOUIS
After two (very) difficult years for the QMJHL at the NHL Draft, the 2025 class is looking a little better and Desnoyers is likely to be at the top of the list. The first overall pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft is considered a first-round prospect.
Pier-Olivier Roy, Defender, Rimouski Oceanic
Photo provided by the TIGRES DE VICTORIAVILLE, DENIS MORIN
Another major acquisition for the Oceanic ahead of this Memorial year. Roy will be in his fifth season in the QMJHL and he won top honors with the Tigres in his first season, in 2021. He could form a dominant duo with the Philadelphia Flyers’ most recent second-round pick, Spencer Gill.
Matvei Gridin, Left Winger, Shawinigan Cataractes
Photo AFP / GETTY IMAGES
Drafted first overall in the CHL European Draft by the Val-d’Or Foreurs before being traded to the Cataractes, Gridin should give Cats fans a run for their money. A first-round pick of the Calgary Flames in the most recent NHL Draft, he won the USHL scoring championship last season with 83 points in 60 games.
Antonin Verreault, Left Winger, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Photo provided by the HUSKIES DE ROUYN-NORANDA
Verreault won the QMJHL scoring championship last year and will be back with the Huskies for his age-20 season. The Huskies won’t have as dominant a roster as last year, but Verreault should help them remain competitive. It wouldn’t be surprising if he is traded to a contending team during the holiday season.
