The Foreurs look poised to have a big year built around some star returners.
A surprise trip to the second round as the sixth seed in the Western conference last year marked a solid season for the Val-d'Or Foreurs.
Now, with their star players back for one more year, the new campaign will be about reaching as high as possible.
Of course, Philippe Veilleux is the most notable of the returners, and is very likely a strong candidate to win the Michel Brière Trophy as league MVP this upcoming season. If he can put up over 100 points and lead the Foreurs to a top seed, Veilleux will be as likely as anyone to win that trophy.
The Val-d'Or Foreurs will look to be a contender this season, led by star Philippe Veilleux. (Photo: Dany Germain)Veilleux isn't the only big player returning for 2026-27, though. Benjamin Cossette Ayotte brings a huge boost to the blue line, while other top scorers in Nathan Brisson and Benjamin Olivier should take steps this year as well.
While some older players in Maxime Coursol, Nathan Brisson, Louis-Charles Plourde and Jeremy Leroux have aged out and departed, there have been some new acquisitions made to replace their production and spots in the lineup.
Noah McKinnon, Nolann Heroux, Maxime Sauthier and Olivier Laverdiere are all useful additions via trade, while Val-d'Or has also swung a deal to acquire Arseni Radkov as their likely starting goalie.
Czech forward Josef Holejsovsky will fill out the final import spot alongside Radkov and Sauthier, bringing some energy and physicality to the table.
But, just as last year, this team revolves around the elite offensive production broguht on by Veilleux, with his ability to score at even strength and on the power play one of the top weapons in the QMJHL. The team seems well-built around him, and will hope to have a big season in 2026-27.
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