The Trois-Rivieres Lions continue to build their roster for the 2023-24 season with the addition of three forwards on ECHL contracts.
There's a familiar face making a return to Trois-Rivieres this fall, as forward Justin Ducharme comes back to the Lions for his second stint with the team. In 2021-22, Ducharme split the season between Trois-Rivieres and Laval on a two-way AHL contract. The forward collected 25 points in 35 games with the Lions and totaled seven points in 19 games with the Rocket.
Last season, Ducharme signed an AHL contract with the Texas Stars where he dressed in three games and obtained one point. The 23-year old played 43 games for Dallas' ECHL affiliate, the Idaho Steelheads, where he scored 14 goals and 33 points. In Idaho’s playoff run, which took them to the Kelly Cup final, Ducharme put nine points on the board in 19 matches.
Joseph Mizzi, another new addition to the Lions' lineup, is no stranger to the ECHL despite a recent four-season stint abroad. Last season, he played 36 games in Italy for the Vipiteno Sterzing Broncos in the Alps hockey league, where he scored 21 goals and 52 points.
Finally, Matthew Boucher is another fresh face to join the Trois-Rivieres Lions. Last season, Boucher spent most of the season playing with the AHL’s Belleville Senators after signing two professional tryout offers. The 25-year old started the year playing seven games with the ECHL's Iowa Heartlanders before dressing for 50 AHL Senators games, where he collected 16 points. Matthew is the son of former NHL defenceman Philippe Boucher.
Trois-Rivières currently has 10 forwards and four defensemen signed to ECHL contracts. Coach and general manager Pascal Rheaume will also receive players that are cut from Laval’s camp. The Lions regular season kicks off on October 20th at Colisee Videotron.