The Baie-Comeau Drakkar had a massive 2023-24 campaign, winning 53 games, but ultimately coming up short in the finals.
Incurring some major losses in Justin Gill (98 in 65), Matyas Melovsky (60 in 53), Felix Gagnon (58 in 58), Isaac Dufort (46 in 59), Niks Fenenko (44 in 55), Angus Booth (28 in 61) and Charles-Edward Gravel (.909 in 51 games) -- the Drakkar still look strong, but will require big steps from their younger players in order to get close to the team they were last year.
One of the players with the biggest spotlight on the team is 2025 NHL Draft eligible Lucas Beckman. Beckman had a ridiculous .937 save percentage over 9 games last season, and carried his good play into earning a spot on the Canadian Hlinka-Gretzky Cup team -- winning gold.
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The team obviously believes in him, given they dealt overager Charles-Edward Gravel this off-season to open up a potential starting job -- if Beckman can win it from fellow goaltender Mathys Routhier (.879 over 20 games).
Helping make the two goalies lives easier is Alexis Bernier, who was just taken by Seattle in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Bernier is coming off a 31-point season (4+27)
Overager Anthony Lavoie is another anchor within the Drakkar's d-corps. He'll look to expand on his 26-point (6+20), +40 season.
Rounding out the notables on the blueline, the Drakkar have added 19-year old import Oliver Samson. He potted 47 points (15+42) across 46 games with Sparta Praha Jrs.
The Drakkar may have lost fire power up front, but they retain their best shooter in Justin Poirier. As a draft eligible last season, the 5-foot-7 right winger led the league in goals with 51 goals over 68 games. Although due to his size, he fell all the way to the fifth round to the Carolina Hurricanes.
He'll look to overcome the doubters this season, at the cost of every team and goaltender he faces against.
The team also retained the Boilard brothers.
The youngest, centerman Raoul, was selected in the fourth round by the New York Rangers this summer, after notching 62 points (22+40) over 68 games.
The elder brother, right winger Jules, returns to the team as an overager after a 50 point (18+32) rookie campaign.
The other overager is left winger Justin Paille, who potted 53 points (27+26) across 63 games last season.
Filling out the forward corps are centerman Jeremy Leroux (32 in 58), left winger Louis-Charles Plourde (25 in 67) and OHL defecting centerman Kyle Morey (25 in 67).
Overall, the team has some real high end talent, but lacks the depth it had last season.
The Drakkar should still be a force, but may struggle against deeper teams.
Ratings
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Notable Players
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Likely Team MVP
RW Justin Poirier
Other Season Previews
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