Traded to the Rimouski Océanic last week, Quebecer Jonathan Fauchon, top scorer in the QMJHL this season, is eyeing the NCAA for the next few years.
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“I imagined signing a contract with a National League organization, but with [les nouvelles règles reliées à] the NCAA is a game-changer, agrees Fauchon, who notably discussed seriously with Providence College, in the state of Rhode Island. It’s a great option to continue to develop.”
Having collected 50 points, including 25 goals, in 31 games with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada before the current Christmas break, Fauchon will obviously complete the season with the Océanic which, from May 22 to 1is June, is already assured of participating in the Memorial Cup, in Rimouski, as the host team. This will be a great opportunity for Fauchon to showcase himself, but his future will then lie at the university level in the United States, unless the situation changes.
Remember that new regulations mean that Canadian players can now play for a few years in the Canadian Junior Hockey League [LCH]including the QMJHL, before going into exile in the United States. Until then, Canadian athletes had to choose between the CHL and the NCAA at a young age.
Continue its development
For 20-year-old players like Fauchon, this is a new reality allowing them to extend the period during which they can attract the attention of National Hockey League recruiters.
“With the NCAA option, you can take the time to develop, become physically stronger and become a better hockey player before moving on to the pros,” says Fauchon. I never thought I could go to the NCAA [avant la nouvelle réglementation]it's really hot. Maybe it's the best of both worlds to play junior and then go there… It becomes a great opportunity for me and for all the 20-year-old players in the future.
Inevitably, this continues to fuel discussions among hockey players in his situation.
“We talk about it a little,” confirms Fauchon, specifying that he had given particular thought to this new option in the company of his former Armada teammate Emanuelson Charbonneau. We’re all really excited for it.”
Years later
In Charbonneau's case, he had thought long and hard about the idea of joining the NCAA before making his debut in the QMJHL, with the Armada, during the 2023-2024 season. This 20-year-old defender, who will celebrate his 21ste birthday on January 14, had previously played in British Columbia, in the BCHL, to keep his options open.
Like Fauchon, Charbonneau could therefore also experience “the best of both worlds”. This would allow him, at 21, 22 and 23 years old, to get another chance to attract the attention of an NHL club.
“You can’t cheat in pro”
Even if he was never drafted in the NHL, Quebecer Jonathan Fauchon had the opportunity to participate in different camps with the Philadelphia Flyers rookies in the past. He is thus well placed to realize that a few more years in the NCAA will allow him to develop further before moving on to the pros.
“You can't cheat in pro, you don't have much time to react when you receive the puck, it's fast and the players are bigger,” he emphasizes, about the experience experienced around the Flyers.
Details to improve
If he dominates in the QMJHL this season, Fauchon, who will turn 21 in January, knows very well that the gap is enormous between juniors and the NHL.
“Of course I'm happy with my start to the season, but I'm never 100% satisfied,” Fauchon also says. There are always details to improve and things to perfect.”
Just before being traded to the Rimouski Océanic, Fauchon became, earlier this month, the best scorer in the history of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada by amassing his 215e point during a match against the Gatineau Olympics. Having overtaken Luke Henman at the top, he has 220 in 226 games.
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