The Trois-Rivières Lions [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/players/luke-cavallin-embracing-the-life-of-a-champion]have re-signed defenseman Jacob Paquette. Dubbed ‘The General’, Paquette will once again be a tower of strength on the Lions blueline next season. The 6-foot-3, 201-pound left-shot defenseman recorded 21 points in 69 games in 2024-25 while posting an impressive +32 rating during the regular season. In the playoffs, Paquette added five points and once again stood out defensively with a +9 rating in leading Trois-Rivieres to its first-ever Kelly Cup title [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/game-day/lions-down-walleye-in-five-games-to-capture-2025-kelly-cup]. The native of Ottawa has been a standout on the back end. His smart positioning, physical presence, solid defensive play and hard work have caught the attention of the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens], the Lions’ parent club. Paquette earned an invitation to the Canadiens and Laval Rocket (AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/]) training camps at the start of last season. In three ECHL [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/]seasons, Paquette has totaled 22 points (4-18-22) for a 0.25 point-per-game average. He’s also accumulated 55 penalty minutes and a +28 rating. Before turning pro, Paquette spent five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/]recording 84 points (13-71-84) in 296 games. In four seasons at Queen’s University (USports), he scored 22 points (4-18-22) in 61 games. In 2023-24, he was voted to the USports (OUA East) Second All-Star Team. Paquette is proud to return and ready to help the team defend their Kelly Cup title. “It’s special for me to come back to Trois-Rivières, especially as a Kelly Cup champion,” he stated. “We gave everything last season to earn that title, and I definitely want to live it all over again. Doing it as a veteran would make it even more special for me, and I know that experience will help both me and the team moving forward.” The Lions will begin defense of their Kelly Cup Championship on Friday, Oct. 17 when they host the Reading Royals [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/royals-name-former-everblades-assistant-as-new-head-coach-and-gm]at Colisee Videotron. (Photo Courtesy of the ECHL)
