The puck is about to drop on a new QMJHL season, and the chase for the Gilles-Courteau Trophy promises to be as compelling as ever. With Moncton setting the standard last year, challengers Blainville-Boisbriand, Shawinigan or Chicoutimi are eager to close the gap. Here’s a look at the contenders and the storylines to follow.

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Armada’s Ambition

No team has made a louder statement this offseason than the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Their summer was defined by two pivotal developments: the return of Justin Carbonneau and the arrival of Bill Zonnon.

Carbonneau, drafted 19th overall by the St. Louis Blues this summer, was heavily courted by NCAA powerhouses like Boston College. Instead of leaving, he chose to stay in the Q and commit to another season with the Armada. His decision speaks volumes about the belief he has in the organization and in the group around him. Coming off a 46-goal campaign, Carbonneau gives the Armada a reliable centerpiece, and his presence keeps the team’s championship window wide open.

To that already solid foundation, management added Bill Zonnon, fresh off being selected in the first round by Pittsburgh. Zonnon brings creativity and firepower, having posted 83 points last year. Together, Carbonneau and Zonnon give the Armada one of the league’s most dangerous one-two punches.

And the star power doesn’t stop there. Xavier Villeneuve, a projected first-rounder for the 2026 NHL Draft, is set for a breakout year. His size, skill, and two-way game have scouts buzzing, and his emergence could turn the Armada from a promising team into a legitimate powerhouse.

Blainville-Boisbriand’s offense will grab headlines, but the question remains whether their defensive structure and goaltending can hold up under the pressure of a playoff run. If those pieces come together, the Armada might just be the team best positioned to unseat Moncton.

Cataractes Counting on Balance

In Shawinigan, the story isn’t so much about blockbuster arrivals or single-player headlines. It’s about depth and balance. The Cataractes were one goal away from clinching the Q final last year and they bring back a strong forward group led by Félix Lacerte, Jiri Klima and Cole Chandler, players who have already shown they can deliver in high-pressure games. The offseason addition of veteran forward Raoul Boilard only strengthens that top six, giving Shawinigan another weapon and a dose of experience.

What makes the Cataractes intriguing is their ability to spread out production. Unlike Blainville-Boisbriand, they don’t rely on a single superstar to carry the offense. Instead, they can roll three scoring lines, creating matchup problems and reducing the risk of being shut down by one dominant opposing defense pair.

The challenge for Shawinigan lies on the back end. Trading away goaltender Félix Hamel has left questions in net, and the defense corps will need to find consistency if they want to go deep in the postseason. But if their young defense matures quickly, Shawinigan’s depth up front could make them a nightmare opponent come playoff time.

Saguenéens Lean on Leadership

The Chicoutimi Saguenéens approach this season with a quieter but equally intriguing narrative. While they don’t boast the same level of first-round star power as the Armada, they are leaning on leadership and internal development to climb the standings.

The Saguenéens will rely on a veteran-based core that includes Maxim Massé and Émile Guité. Each has shown flashes of offensive upside, and together they form a nucleus that could grow into something special. Masse is in his fourth season with the Sags, and he’s the face of the current cycle. The Rimouski-born forward had an excellent start to the season a year ago, but an ankle injury significantly slowed his progress. Massé is now mature, and it’s up to him to be the driving force of Chicoutimi’s offense.

The question for Chicoutimi is whether that upside will translate into immediate results. Their goaltending remains unproven, and defensive depth will need to tighten if they want to keep pace with the league’s top contenders. Still, their chemistry and leadership give them a chance to surprise, particularly if Massé and Guité take the next step offensively.

Three Different Roads

Blainville-Boisbriand is betting on star power, Shawinigan is banking on depth, and Chicoutimi is building on leadership. Each team enters the season with a different path to success, but all three have the potential to disrupt the league’s balance of power.

The Armada, with Carbonneau, Zonnon, and Villeneuve, are the flashiest and perhaps the most dangerous of the trio. The Cataractes, loaded with experienced forwards, could quietly outlast flashier opponents if their defense holds. And the Saguenéens, though still building, might be underestimated — a mistake no one should make come spring.

As the season begins, all eyes will be on whether Blainville-Boisbriand’s bold moves translate into results. But don’t be surprised if Shawinigan or Chicoutimi write their own storylines in what promises to be another unpredictable QMJHL season.

How To Watch The QMJHL This Season

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2025 QMJHL Opening Weekend Schedule

Thursday, September 18

• Moncton Wildcats vs Newfoundland Regiment, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, September 19

• Moncton Wildcats vs Newfoundland Regiment, 5:30 p.m.
• Cape Breton Eagles vs Saint John Sea Dogs, 6:00 p.m.
• Halifax Mooseheads vs Charlottetown Islanders, 6:00 p.m.
• Gatineau Olympiques vs Val-d'Or Foreurs, 7:00 p.m.
• Quebec Remparts vs Sherbrooke Phoenix, 7:00 p.m.
• Baie-Comeau Drakkar vs Rimouski Oceanic, 7:00 p.m.
• Chicoutimi Sagueneens vs Drummondville Voltiguers, 7:00 p.m.
• Blainville-Boisbriand Armada vs Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 7:00 p.m.
• Victoriaville Tigres vs Shawinigan Cataractes, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 20

• Baie-Comeau Drakkar vs Rimouski Oceanic, 4:00 p.m.
• Victoriaville Tigres vs Sherbrooke Phoenix, 4:00 p.m.
• Blainville-Boisbriand Armada vs Val-d'Or Foreurs, 4:00 p.m.
• Gatineau Olympiques vs Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 4:00 p.m.
• Charlottetown Islanders vs Halifax Mooseheads, 6:00 p.m.
• Cape Breton Eagles vs Saint John Sea Dogs, 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 21

• Chicoutimi Sagueneens vs Quebec Remparts, 3:00 p.m.
• Drummondville vs Shawinigan, 4:00 p.m.

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