Now professionals, Nathan Gaucher and Zachary Bolduc still excited about the Memorial Cup

Zachary Bolduc and Nathan Gaucher have just concluded their very first season as professionals, Bolduc even having had the chance to play 25 games in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues. But, even a year later, the memories of last year’s conquests of the Quebec Remparts remain very fresh in their minds.

The two hockey players reconnected with the Videotron center on Wednesday morning where they came to collect the champion rings from the Gilles-Courteau Trophy and the 2023 Memorial Cup. “Beautiful jewelry!” exclaimed Bolduc.

“These are memories that will last forever. It’s as if it just happened,” said Gaucher who, in his first professional season with the San Diego Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks’ farm club, scored 25 points in 72 games.

Same thing for Bolduc. The latter has already reached the NHL in his first professional season, scoring five goals and four assists in 25 games.

But, from time to time, he finds himself watching the highlights of last year’s impressive Remparts run.

“Every time I watch footage of our games, whether it was the final against Halifax or the Memorial Cup, I always feel the same little feeling that I had. These are memories that we will have forever.”

A preparation for the pros

Including his two participations in the World Junior Championship, in August and December and January, the regular season, the playoffs and the Memorial Cup, Gaucher has played 80 games in 2022-2023. For his part, Bolduc played 83.

This grueling season not only allowed the two hockey players to experience the joys of two championships but also served as preparation for life among the professionals.

“In the pros, you play 72 or 82 games and your body gets tired at a certain point. Having experienced it last year, it helps.”

For Bolduc, the 2022-2023 season will have helped with physical preparation, but there is nothing like experiencing it from the inside to truly understand what it takes to have a long career in the NHL.

“There is a learning part and you have to experience this part in the NHL. That’s what I did in my first 15 or 18 games, I was trying to understand and adapt to bring my game to that level. We have learned a lot in the last two years but there is nothing better than playing matches and learning on the job.

Behind the Voltigeurs

Back in Quebec, Bolduc and Gaucher continue to follow the activities of the QMJHL. Their favorite team? “We lined up behind Drummond!”

We can understand them since three players with whom they won last year, Kassim Gaudet, Vsevolod Komarov and Mikaël Huchette play there.