As teams approach double-digit games played, the season is starting to shape itself. With it, so too is the play of a number of QMJHL draft eligibles.
So what better time than to check in on the netminders.
G Lucas Beckman (Baie-Comeau)
After a lights out nine game stint last season with the Drakkar, Baie-Comeau gave their hotshot netminder the keys to the castle -- trading overager Charles-Edward Gravel in the process.
There was some reasonable concern on whether he'd be able to fill the starting role so quickly without much of a battle, but his addition to Canada's gold medal winning Hlinka-Gretzky team served as a signal of confidence in the otherwise unknown netminder.
So far, the 6-foot-1 netminder has lived up to expectations to start the year, posting a 4-2-0 record over six starts while hoisting a .912 save percentage against tougher match-ups.
It's still a bit early to tell whether he's in the upper echelon of the 2025 class' goalies next to the OHL's Jack Ivankovic and the WHL's Joshua Ravensbergen -- but nothing so far has indicated that he shouldn't be that far behind them.
G Gabriel D'Aigle (Victoriaville)
The once heralded future of Canadian goaltending has now found himself in a rut.
Gabriel D'Aigle been considered the draft class' top prospect for years, earning that impressive reputation through his impeccable play. He would dominate U18 AAA in 2021-22, before going on to join the Victoriaville Tigres as their first round selection that year at second overall.
He'd play extremely well in his rookie campaign, rocking an .894 save percentage over 21 games, and would even get the nod to represent Canada at the under-18's. Unfortunately, it was from that point where he hasn't been the same, tallying a horrific .841 save percentage over 3 games.
Since then, his play has deteriorated in the QMJHL -- posting an .879 save percentage over 25 games with the Tigres.
Going into this year, it was clear that D'Aigle needed to fix the narrative. He needed a bounce back. So far, he's had far from it, averaging 5.62 goals a game while stopping at a rate of .860 through six games.
With his backup, Jakob Hanlan, struggling mightily as well with an .822 over three games -- it's clear that the Tigres aren't helping his case.
One can only imagine the possibility of D'Aigle getting dealt this season as both team and player try to make the best of the situation.
G Samuel Meloche (Rouyn-Noranda)
Perhaps the biggest surprise between the pipes this season has been former QMJHL second round pick Samuel Meloche.
The 6-foot-2 netminder is coming off of a strong season in U-18 AAA, holding a .911 save percentage over 29 games (8th best amongst starters), and even jumped into a QMJHL game with the Huskies where he more than held his own at a .931 save percentage over 29 shots.
However, this season he hasn't just been in the QMJHL but he's taken over the starting role from overager Kyle Hagen.
So far, Meloche has played in eight games with a .902 save percentage. Although arguably the most impressive part of his play so far has been his ability to drag games into extra time -- helping his team pick up three extra points they wouldn't have.
He's especially turned up the heat in the last five games, where he has been able to carry a .953 save percentage.