The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The LHSAAAQ is rolling into the final weekend of its regular season. It was a fantastic season in terms of the talent on the ice and the visibility and reach of the league with its new streaming partner. Before we move on the playoffs, let's look back at the memorable and not so memorable performances of the 2025-26 season, 

The Good: We can’t talk about anything good without talking about the Granby Bison. The team that hoisted the cup last Spring had all the makings of a dynasty and is now marching closer to cementing it. Primed for a repeat, the Bison have locked up the #1 spot and an opening round bye.  Whether we’re talking about the team’s win total, Fred Piche’s assault on the goaltending record books, or attendance numbers that are head and shoulders above everyone else, the Bison are clearly something that the league can put on display.

Next, the 2nd year Bellechasse Bucks represent what happens when a small market team far exceeds expectations. Finishing in last place in 2024-25, the Bucks came out swinging and have been a competitor all season. At the midpoint, they were just 2 points out of first in the East and have since locked up an opening round bye. They also led the league in game night innovation. It’s safe to say no one did more with less than the boys in Saint-Anselme. 

Finally, when solid organizations ice solid teams, the league wins. Donnacona, Plessisville and Terrebonne continued to be part of a critical foundation for the league.

The Bad: What happened in Valleyfield is anyone's guess, but we can all agree that winning just 4 games is BAD. The team finished a respectable 7th in its first season but has headed backwards in year two. Still, it wasn’t a complete loss as the stands were more than respectably filled and plenty boisterous for the hard-hitting brand of hockey put on by the National. The locals in Valleyfield seem to be behind the team and ready for the opening round of the playoffs. 

The Ugly: What happened in Trois-Rivieres? Sure, the Mega Toit are ahead of last place Valleyfield. However, when it comes to expectations that weren’t met, things in Trois-Rivieres were just ugly.  They were a relocation, and just 20 minutes up the road, so they weren’t starting from scratch. There was the big market, the big arena, the jersey unveiling at the draft, and the promotional partnership with Power Play Quebec. As soon as the season started, it was all downhill. A woefully inconsistent roster, mounting losses, a season suspension of its most high-profile player and the in-season firing of its coach were all indicators of how it was going. The most telling tales, however, have been the sea of empty seats at the coliseum and the tidal wave of on-line frustration expressed by fans. Still, all is not lost, as Eric Haley has a chance to right the ship. It’s probably too late for him to do it this season, but he provides credibility and hope for the future. 

That, however, was the regular season. Now it’s time to finish it off and get into the playoffs where anything can happen.