THREE QUESTIONS ON THE SHAWINIGAN CATARACTES

• Does that one extra goal exist within this roster?

Last season ended suddenly and shockingly in Shawinigan. One goal away from a trip to the QMJHL Final, a double overtime heartbreaker in Rimouski has the Cataractes back this season with unfinished business on their mind. Though last year’s leading scorer, Matvei Gridin, has left for the pro ranks, there is plenty of reason to believe that, if needed, that one extra goal can certainly come from this roster. Among the returnees this season is reliable goal scorer Felix Lacerte, and veterans Jiri Klima and Kody Dupuis. Boston Bruins 2025 draftee Cole Chandler took his game to the next level during last spring’s postseason run. It’s a forward group that is generally smaller in stature but longer on speed. However, exceptions to that rule exist in off-season acquisition Raoul Boilard and winger Brogan McNeil, who’s back for his first full Q campaign. Chad Lygitsakos, chosen third overall at the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft, is well on his way to becoming a fan favorite while imports Elias Schneider (Germany) and Christian Furuvik (Sweden) make their way to North America with proven scoring ability.

• Could an already impressive blue line get any stronger?

As powerful as the ‘Cats could be on the attack, they were no slouches on defense as well. This was a group that gelled as the season wore on, leading to a 12-game point streak to close out the regular season and an impressive 11 postseason games allowing three goals or less. A pair of 19-year-olds in Julien Lanthier and Felix Plamondon were efficient and effective in all three zones last year. Injuries curtailed Mathieu Plante’s season. However, when in the lineup, he was a versatile blueliner regardless of assignment, particularly during the playoffs. Though 5’8” defensemen aren’t exactly common, Mickael Chapdelaine is back after a brief but impressive appearance in ’24-’25. All have major junior experience and appear ready to bolster an already impressive core that will feature team captain Jordan Tourigny.

• How good is this trio of overagers?

When it’s all said and done, the answer to the question might be “best in the league”. Winger Vince Elie, with nearly 200 regular season games behind him is back for one more season after posting a point per game in the regular season and playoffs combined. Tourigny has lived his entire junior career in yellow and white and will continue to do so, patrolling the blue line as the final holdover from the organization’s 2022 league championship squad. Mathys Fernandez has proved the third time really is the charm after stints in Val-d’Or and Chicoutimi to start his career. With the ‘Cats, Fernandez has truly come into his own, punctuated by a spectacular performance in the 2025 postseason. With this trio another year older, wiser and hungrier, a Shawinigan squad that was already considered a tough out for the opposition is going to get even more challenging.

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2024-2025 Stats: