THREE QUESTIONS ON THE VICTORIAVILLE TIGRES

• How will this team rebound?

By Christmas, the Tigres had their future mapped out. Though it led to a tough second half to last season, if this pre-season has been any indication, the rewards might be on their way very soon. Up front, a club that was curtailed offensively has shown plenty of spark, led by Alexis Bourque, Thomas Paquet and the European duo of Egor Shilov of Alexey Vlasov. Sophomores Olivier Laverdiere and Enzo Lottin are preparing for increased responsibilities while Deryk Lemaire and Loik Gariepy, the club’s top two selections at the 2025 QMJHL Draft, join Shilov and Vlasov as impressive rookies, four of eleven that have cracked the roster, ready for their ‘Q’ debuts. On the backend, Maddox Labre is back for his second season after being thrust into all situations as a 17-year-old last year. A key off-season trade with Drummondville brings 2024 Buffalo Sabres draftee Simon-Pier Brunet to a Tigres squad that’s rebuilding at all positions. Put it all together and you have a team that could experience one of the more impressive climbs through the standings in recent memory.

• Will the goals against cease in the crease?

When Gabriel D’Aigle was selected second overall by Victoriaville back in 2022, one of only three goaltenders chosen so high, the expectations were clear. It’s been a roller coaster ride ever since. There was the phenomenal debut, with just one loss in his first 13 QMJHL appearances. There were the trying moments of last season. However, a good deal of what D’Aigle has dealt with was circumstantial; in facing 40-50 shots most nights, as he did after New Year last season, the now fourth-year veteran showed flashes of brilliance but could only do so much. It was enough for the Pittsburgh Penguins to select him in the third round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. But now, with reinforcements both up front and on the backend to make life easier, as well as a strong support system from his NHL club, it’s time for D’Aigle to shine. The tools are all there; it’s time to build something.

• Will the biggest X-Factor be standing behind the bench?

The roster wasn’t the only thing to get turned over in Victoriaville – there’s also a new cat behind the bench. At 53, Simon Olivier goes against the grain of your typical first-year Head Coach in major junior. In the 13 years since he last held a coaching position in the QMJHL as an Assistant Coach with the Tigres, Olivier has appeared at several levels, among them the Midget Espoir, U-15 and Jr. A ranks. It’s at that last level that Olivier arrives from after putting in three seasons with the MHL Edmundston Blizzard, a stint that culminated with a championship last spring. Now, it’s time to brew up a storm with this exciting up-and-coming squad and early reports are quite positive. Having a guy behind the bench who, despite his age, is still happily learning the ropes alongside a roster that’s doing the same could be just what the doctor ordered to take the Tigres to the next level.

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2024-2025 Stats: