Photograph credit score: Iften Redjah
As probably the most storied franchise’s in QMJHL historical past, it’s been some time for the reason that Chicoutimi Saguenéens have hoisted the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.
Thirty-one years in truth.
However in 2025-26, there’s a distinct vibe. There’s a robust sense this Sags staff has the chance to be topped champions as soon as once more.
“We are able to actually really feel it in Chicoutimi that individuals are enthusiastic about this season,” mentioned ahead Thomas Desruisseaux.
The Saguenéens have began robust: they’re 2-1-1 out of the gate and sit seventh within the CHL High 10 rankings introduced by Delta Resorts by Marriott.
“It’s a brand new begin for everyone, so we attempt to play with one another, get to know one another and construct on that [start] so we will [work towards being] the very best staff,” Desruisseaux mentioned.
The membership will not be brief on expertise; they boast 4 NHL prospects in Emile Guite (ANA), Alex Huang (NSH), Maxim Masse (ANA) and Maxim Schafer (WSH) alongside a robust class of returnees that features Desruisseaux, Peteris Bulans, Nathan LeCompte, Raphael Precourt, Jonathan Prud’homme, Emile Ricard and Emmanuel Vermette, amongst others.
However there are contemporary faces too: Danish ahead Anton Linde has arrived via the CHL Import Draft – as did the aforementioned Schafer – whereas defenceman Alexandre Desmarais was an offseason addition from Quebec. Simply final week, d-man Xavier Daigle was acquired from Cape Breton.
All in all, it makes up a squad that many have pegged as a critical contender for the QMJHL title.
“We all know we have now excessive expectations however we don’t actually have a look at it,” Desruisseaux mentioned. “We simply play, work exhausting, and on the finish of the day we simply wish to be the very best staff. We’re going to make sacrifices to be that.
“We wish to for positive win the championship however we have to take it someday at a time so we’re working to get there.”
For the 19-year-old Desruisseaux, he has spent the overwhelming majority of his QMJHL profession with Chicoutimi. The thirteenth total decide within the 2022 QMJHL Draft by Cape Breton, he performed 22 video games with the Eagles earlier than a commerce to Chicoutimi the place he’s made 168 appearances and recorded 150 factors (41 targets).
At this level, the Levis, QC., native is as a lot engrained within the metropolis as anybody else and is decided to convey them a championship in 2025-26. He, and his teammates for that matter, additionally maintain a ton of motivation to get head coach Yanick Jean, the league’s all-time wins chief with 635, his first QMJHL title.
In the event that they pull it off, it’d be a becoming full circle second: Jean was a part of the Sags staff that final hoisted a Q title in 1994.
“He’s been an enormous a part of my profession and my coach since I used to be 16,” Desruisseaux mentioned of Jean. “It’s nice having him and he’s a very good coach. He has a whole lot of expertise; he is aware of easy methods to win so we wish to comply with him.
“My profession, he’s achieved a whole lot of issues for me and I’ll all the time be glad about how he coached me.”
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