THREE QUESTIONS ON THE QUEBEC REMPARTS

• What can this lineup do when healthy?

It was arguably the story of the season in Quebec last year; the Remparts, taking the next steps on their path back to the top, were going to work hard to make those strides. While they did work hard, it came at a cost. Not a single player suited up for every game and eight of the club’s top ten scorers missed at least ten games. This was especially felt down the stretch, when the club went winless in its final ten games, regular season and playoffs combined. However, the lack of personnel did not equal a lack of effort. Six of those final ten games were one and two-goal affairs, including three one-goal losses in the postseason to the powerful Moncton Wildcats. A combination of health and experience during those challenging days last year could convert those tough losses into big wins this year.

• Where will the offense come from?

One of the goals in the capital city has to be just that; more goals. Overager Justin Cote was a valuable addition last year, but with him graduating the task now falls to a core that was largely still adjusting to life in the league. Back to lead the charge is Nathan Quinn, whose touch around the net and work on the power play earned him a sixth-round selection by the Philadelphia Flyers at the latest NHL Entry Draft. Maddox Dagenais and his laser-like shot are back after his rookie campaign was cut to 43 regular season games. Slovak Andreas Straka, a valuable skater and puck distributor in all situations, is back for his sophomore campaign. Nikita Ovcharov arrives from Russia with a nose for the net as the club’s top selection in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Then there’s Eliott Simard, acquired from Victoriaville, who will spend his overage season as a compliment to this young and developing group after performing well on a last-place Tigres team.

• Who are the new guys back there?

Last season, Head Coach Eric Veilleux used every tactic available to grind out victories. This year, there are a few new guys on the back end who hope to make that grind a little less difficult. Joining veteran Etienne Desjardins and sophomores Charlie Morrison and Alexandre Taillefer is 20-year-old Carl Uens, a veteran of four OHL seasons with Owen Sound and Kitchener. Freddy Meyer, son of the former NHLer of the same name, joins from the Massachusetts prep school ranks. Logan Brennan arrives in Quebec from the Bay State as well, complete with an edgy style of play. Newcomers also include Nathan Birch, a former Bishop’s College mainstay, and Thomas Charbonneau, the fourth overall selection of the 2025 QMJHL Draft. This group will be trying to make life easy for 6’8” number one netminder Louis-Antoine Denault, who always stands tall between the pipes.

_

2024-2025 Stats: