The 18-year-old forward was named the QMJHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23.
The Ducks have never been shy about drafting players from the QMJHL and dipped into the well once again, selecting the Chicoutimi Saguenéens’ Maxim Massé.
Massé is a goalscorer, there’s no doubt about it. In his first year in the QMJHL, he led all rookies in goals scored (29) and points (62). This performance earned him CHL Rookie of the Year, QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year and QMJHL Rookie of the Year.
He followed up his rookie season with 36 goals and 75 points this past season, also winning gold at the U18s and the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup with Team Canada.
Where Massé wants to improve the most heading into the 2024-24 season is his skating.
“I think I’ve been working on it a lot the past couple of years,” Massé said. “I’ve got really good plans in the future to work on that. That’s what I’m working on the most during the summer.”
Massé was one of the Saguenéens’ alternate captains this season in just his second year in the QMJHL. He described how the youth of the team thrust him into that role and it’s something that he still needs to grow into.
“I had a lot of good interviews with (Ducks scout) Stéphane Pilotte and then a good meeting with (the Ducks) too at the combine. With all the Québécois guys they’re drafting, I had a good feeling.”