As a fan, it's always interesting to track hockey legacies. With today being Father's Day, what better time to look back at the careers of the dads of current QMJHL stars.
Francois Beauchemin (father of Samuel, Rouyn-Noranda)
Defenseman Francois Beauchemin played in the QMJHL from 1996 to 2000, with the Laval Titan College Francais, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and the Moncton Wildcats. Across his four seasons in the QMJHL, Beachemin netted 181 points (42+139) through 238 games, including a QMJHL championship win with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in 1999. Beauchemin would hear his name called in 1998 by the Montreal Canadiens. He would go on to play 903 games in the NHL, scoring 288 points (76+212) while being a premier defensive defenseman. He would be a big part of the Anaheim Ducks 2007 Stanley Cup win.
His son, Samuel, is a left winger with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, where he scored 40 points (13+27) over 63 games.
Pascal Dupuis (father of Kody, Shawinigan)
Left winger Pascal Dupuis, himself a second generation QMJHL player, played in the 'Q' from 1996-2000 with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Shawinigan Cataractes. He scored 247 points (105+142) over 229 games while in the QMJHL. Undrafted to the NHL, he would eventually play 16 seasons in the NHL, most notably winning a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and was part of the Penguins team that won it in 2016.
His son, Kody, actively plays for the Shawinigan Cataractes. The centerman scored 36 points (16+20) over 57 games.
Kody's grandfather, and Pascal's father, Claude played parts of three seasons in the QMJHl with the Laval National from 1971-1974, scoring 84 points (33+51) over 86 games.
Denis Gauthier (father of Ethan, Drummondville)
Defenseman Denis Gauthier suited up with the Drummondville Voltigeursfrom 1992-1996, scoring 129 points (35+94) through 238 games with the team, winning defenseman of the year in 1995-95. Denis was drafted 20th overall by the Calgary Flames in 1995, and went on to play in 554 NHL games, scoring 77 points (17+60).
His sons Ethan (currently of the Drummondville Voltigeurs) and Julien (New York Islanders) would follow his path, both playing in the QMJHL and getting drafted to the NHL. Ethan, his youngest, had 62 points (25+37) through 50 games with the Voltigeurs and is a 2023 second round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Manny Fernandez (father of Mathis, Shawinigan)
Goaltender Manny Fernandez played in the QMJHL from 1991-1994, with the Laval Titan, posting an .893 save percentage over 125 games while carrying the Titan to two QMJHL championships. He would get selected 52nd overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1992 NHL draft before embarking on a 13-season NHL career, which spanned 325 games while netting a .912 save percentage and included two William M. Jennings award wins.
His son Mathys took up goaltending as well, backstopping the Cataractes this season with a .910 save percentage through 23 games.
A Debriefing Of The 2025 QMJHL Draft
Yesterday, the 2025 QMJHL draft officially completed, with 219 players officially gaining ties to the league.
David Desnoyers (father of Caleb, Moncton)
Defenseman David Desnoyers played in the QMJHL between 1991-1995 with the Saint-Hyacinthe Lazer, tallying 96 points (22+74) through 199 games. He would then play three seasons with the University of Quebec-Trois-Rivieres before playing Quebec senior level hockey and in the Ligue Nord-Americain de Hockey.
His sons Elliott (Philadelphia Flyers prospect) and Caleb (Moncton Wildcats) both went on to play in the QMJHL. Caleb is coming off of an 84-point (35+49) draft eligible season, winning a QMJHL championship, named playoff MVP and the league's best professional prospect. He's a likely Top 10 pick in the 2025 NHL draft.
Pierre Dagenais (father of Maddox, Quebec)
Left winger Pierre Dagenais was the first overall pick in the 1995 QMJHL draft, playing in the league between 1995-1998 between the Moncton Alpines/Wildcats, Laval Titan College Francais and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and scoring 266 points (150+116) over 142 games between the three teams. He would get selected twice by the New Jersey Devils in the NHL draft, first in the second round (47th overall) in 1996 before being selected in the fourth (105th) in 1998. He would play a total of 142 NHL games, scoring 58 points (35+23), while also carving out an extensive career in Europe, playing in Switzerland, Finland, Austria, Russia and Norway.
His son, Maddox, was also selected first overall, instead by the Quebec Remparts last season. In his rookie campaign, Maddox tallied 26 points (12+14) over an injury riddled 43 game season.
Éric Landry (father of Lukas, Gatineau)
Centerman Éric Landry played three seasons in the QMJHL from 1993-1995, scoring 160 points (87+73) over 144 games, all with the Saint-Hycinthe Laser. He would leave the QMJHL early in the 1995-96 season, signing a pro deal with the Cape Breton Oilers of the AHL ahead of waht would become a 68 game NHL career, primarily with the Montreal Canadiens, scoring a total of 14 points (5+9) throughout his time in the big league. He would then leave North America to pursue opportunities in Russia and Switzerland, the latter of which where he became a star. Just last season, the 50-year-old suited up in five Swiss Div-3 semi-pro games with HC Bienio, scoring 13 points (5+8).
His sons, Manix and Lukas, would both play in the QMJHL, with Lukas suiting up in all 64 games last season with the Gatineau Olympiques, scoring 30 points (14+16).
2025 NHL Draft: Three QMJHL Stars Ranked As First Rounders On The Hockey News' Top 100 List
In just a couple weeks time, 224 players will have their dream turned into a reality as they'll have their name called at the NHL draft.
Éric Lavigne (father of Mael, Blainville)
Defenseman Éric Lavigne played in the QMJHL from 1989-1993 with the Hull Olympiques, amassing 87 points (29+58) through 240 games in the league. Éric would get drafted 25th overall in 1991 by the Washington Capitals and would ice in one NHL game with the Los Angeles Kings before bouncing around the AHL and England before finishing his career back in Quebec.
His son Mael Lavigne was part of the Rimouski Océanic's Memorial Cup participating team, scoring 49 points (17+32) through 63 games with the Victoriaville Tigres and the Océanic. After a recent trade, he's set to play out his overage season with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
Éric Lecompte (father of Nathan, Chicoutimi)
Left winger Éric Lecompte played four seasons in the QMJHL between 1991 and 1995 between the Hull Olympiques, Saint-Jean Lynx and the Sherbooke Faucons, netting 282 points (129+153) through 252 games between them. Lecompte would get selected 24th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, but would never step foot in the NHL, bouncing around the IHL and AHL before stops in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
Nathan, his son, is a 2025 NHL draft eligible centerman, who picked up 49 points (14+35) over 56 games with the Saguenéens this season.
David Bernier (father of Alexis, Baie-Comeau)
Right winger David Bernier played in the QMJHL from 1994-1999, scoring 267 points (103+164) over 310 games with the Saint-Hyacinthe Laser, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Beauport Harfangs and the Quebec Remparts. He was twice drafted to the NHL, drafted first by the Edmonton Oilers in the 7th round of the 1996 draft before re-entering and being taken in the eighth round by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1998. The highest level he would play at after his QMJHL career was in the United Hockey League before playing Quebec senior and semi-pro hockey.
His son Alexis, too, was drafted, this time in the third round by the Seattle Kraken last year. The defenseman is coming off of a 46-point season (14+32) which he was an alternate captain of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
Red Wings Prospect Delays NCAA Debut, To Return To Moncton For 2025-26
Thanks to the mid-season <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa">NCAA</a> ruling which allowed American prospects to come over to the CHL, over 100 Jr. A and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ushl/players">USHL</a> players had made their way to the CHL. While many of these players lacked NHL affiliation, one of the very few that made their way to major junior was <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a> prospect goaltender Rudy Guimond.
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