His name is already circulating in early conversations about the 2026 NHL Draft, but Blainville-Boisbriand Armada defenseman Xavier Villeneuve isn’t letting the attention get to his head.

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“I try not to think too much about that right now,” Villeneuve said. “My focus is on working hard every day and getting better. I’m lucky to be surrounded by guys like Carbo [Justin Carbonneau] (STL) and  [Bill] Zonnon (PIT) — I can always ask questions and learn from their experience.”

That grounded mindset has helped Villeneuve emerge as one of the QMJHL’s top young blue-liners this season. His 13 points in 11 games lead all league defensemen, a testament to his offensive instincts and smooth puck-moving ability. But Villeneuve is intent on proving that his game extends well beyond the scoresheet.

“This year, I really want to show that I’m more than just an offensive defenseman,” he explained. “I want to prove I can play physical, defend well, and go up against big, strong players every night.”

Through just nine games, Villeneuve already owns a +13 rating, a reflection of his growing two-way impact and a big reason why the Armada have racked up seven wins early on.

Next week, he’ll have another chance to showcase his all-around game at the QMJHL Top Prospects Game in Sherbrooke — an event created to spotlight the league’s top draft-eligible players.

“I’m really happy the league put something like that together,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for visibility, and I’m excited to see who I’ll get to play with.”

Beyond his personal goals, Villeneuve takes pride in the Armada’s team identity — a group that’s quickly earned a reputation for its chemistry and competitiveness.

“As a team, we wanted to set the tone right from training camp,” he said. “We’ve built strong foundations and set a standard for how we want to play. When playoffs come, we’ll be ready.”

For now, Villeneuve is keeping his head down and letting his play do the talking. And if his early-season form is any indication, NHL scouts will keep listening.

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