Powerhouses, Sleepers and Rebuilders

When the QMJHL season gets underway on September 18th, there will be teams everyone will be watching, teams everyone should be watching, and teams whose fans will be waiting for a brighter future. Based on last year’s playoffs and several other factors, including who’s returning and who's not, we’re drawing these conclusions about the 2025-26 season. 

Powerhouses: No surprises, these teams should be good from start to finish and have legitimate shots at the league championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup. 

Shawinigan: When the hockey world last saw them, they were pushing Memorial Cup Host Rimouski to the brink. Only a Game 7 Overtime loss separated them from the finals. Then came an off season that saw no high round NHL Draft picks and only 3 age-outs. Nearly the entire nucleus will be back for another round, including captain Jordan Tourigny, all-everything goaltender Mathys Fernandez and an offensive group that includes 3 of the top 4 goal scorers. As scary as the group is, GM Martin Mondou has said he’ll continue making calculated moves to get the team to where it needs to be. It’s worked to this point, so there's no reason to question the process. The Cataractes have all the makings of a juggernaut this season.

Blainville-Boisbriand: 2024-25 was a “meh” kind of year for the Armada despite having sure bet (and eventual) NHL 1st round pick Justin Carbonneau. With speculation that the 18 year-old might opt for the NCAA, the offseason started out looking like the Armada would continue to toil in mediocrity. Things would change rapidly with Carbonneau committing to returning, and a slew of activity happening on the trade front. The team acquired Carbonneau's fellow first round pick Bill Zonnon (Pittsburgh #22 overall) from Rouyn-Noranda and picked up a trio of players from the Memorial Cup finals as Rimouski and Moncton began their respective rebuilding. Finally the team added veteran goalie Jakob Milota to complement young Montreal prospect Arseni Radkov (2025 3rd round). The Armada went from “meh” to “mega” and will make a serious run this season.

Chicoutimi: Shawinigan pushed Rimouski to the brink, but only after a scrappy young Sagueneens team pushed them around in the previous round. After a successful regular season, the Sags showed glimpses of a 2025-26 champion in the post season. The team saw two later-round picks (Alex Huang and Emile Guite) in the NHL Draft, and will enjoy having both return as 18 year olds entering the prime of their Junior Careers. Additionally, the team will return a nucleus that includes Maxime Massee and Nathan Lecompte fresh out of  NHL Development Camps in Anaheim and Utah.  The team should pick up right where it left off, making a run for the championship.  

Sleeper: Most years there’s a team or two who can catch others off guard and make a run for it. The profile is low and the names are unknown, but there’s plenty of reason to think they can make a run for it. 

Sherbrooke: The 2024-25 Phoenix were a young team devoid of star power, yet managed a trip to second round following a round one win over Justin Carbonneau and the Armada. Head Coach Gilles Bouchard did an amazing job getting the most from a young squad which will now be considered experienced. In addition, Bouchard was given GM duties this off season, which can only add to his ability to steer the ship. What they  won't have in star power, they’ll more than make up for with the developmental model Bouchard brings from the Tampa system. The team will catch a lot of opponents off guard early in the season, and once again make things happen in the playoffs. 

Rebuilders: It’ll be nice to see where these teams are in 2-3 years, but it’ll be a long cold season in these two towns.

Rimouski: In true Memorial Cup host fashion, the Oceanic went for broke last year, dealing young talent and draft picks for veteran talent just before the season. They continued the process at the trade deadline, mortgaging the future for a shot at the country’s top prize. While they did maintain a 1st round selection in the 2025 draft, the ‘Nics lost far more than they replaced. 

Drummondville: After a League Championship in 2024, the Voltigeurs had enough of their core left to make another run for it last season. It was a calculated risk that didn’t pan out as they traded away draft picks to try and fill the gaps left by their 2024 age-outs. Unlike Rimouski, Drummondville’s rebuild didn’t include a 1st round pick to replace aged-out talent.

Bonus Category: Back in the win column

Quebec: After running roughshod over the league and taking home the Memorial Cup in 2023, the Remparts went through the usual post-championship rebuilding years. Clever draft moves netted Maddox Dagenais and management’s gamble on a relative hockey newcomer Louis-Antoine Deneault in net proved to be a good one. The team’s new core, led by captain Justin Cote, has formed and no major alterations were necessary. This group won't be ready for a title run yet, but fans in the Videotron Center will be treated to regularity in the win column again. 

Anything can happen, but we've got a starting point. Camps are in full swing and preseason games have begun. The real fun starts next month, so gear up for all the fun of the 2025-26 season!