THREE QUESTIONS ON THE BAIE-COMEAU DRAKKAR

• Can they “Bear” the loss of offense?

The graduation of last year’s leading scorer in Baie-Comeau, Matyas Melovsky, was to be expected. What was not on most people’s radar was the loss of Carolina Hurricanes draftee Justin Poirier to the University of Maine Black Bears. That’s 69 goals and 163 points removed from the Baie-Comeau lineup. Don’t expect the well to dry up on offense, however. Louis-Charles Plourde, one of the top breakout stories in the ‘Q’ last year, returns on the heels of a point-per-game performance. A pair of mid-season acquisitions from 2024-25, Justin Gendron and Alexis Michaud, are back following a strong first few months with the club. Keep an eye on overager Samuel Boisvert as well after he turned a free agent invite into 31 points in 38 games last campaign.

• Will the club’s typically strong play away from the puck continue?

As impressive as the Drakkar has been on the attack the last couple of seasons, defensive play has truly been the team’s bread and butter. This year, Alexis Bernier will be the key cog in that regard. Currently injured, Bernier offers up the best two-way option among Drakkar rearguards when healthy. Also back is Evan Bellamy, who made a big impression after debuting last January and was a critical factor in the postseason when the club was decimated by injuries. The same can be said for stay-at-home blueliner Alexis Mathieu. And, of course, there’s the last line of defense in goaltender Lucas Beckman. Thrusted into a starting role while still a rookie last season, Beckman responded with 31 regular season victories. In turn, the Ottawa Senators responded by selecting him in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

• Where do the new guys fit in?

When the Drakkar announced its 2025-26 roster last week, 14 first-year players were on it. Talk about a learning curve! A deeper dive into those names and faces indicates there could be some quick learners among them. Russian center Gleb Semenov arrives with CHL experience already after spending part of last year with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. Miller Kay brings a veteran presence despite his first-year status thanks to his offensive exploits with the Carleton Place Canadians in the CCHL. The same can be said for high-scoring blueliner Tobias Almstedt, a former rival of Kay’s in the Jr. A ranks with the Rockland Nationals. Aaron Murphy has impressed in camp early on, while Justin Giguere will see time between the pipes after helping Ste-Foy to a championship in the QCHL last year.

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2024-2025 Drakkar Stats: