NHL fans, particuarily those fans who cheer for rebuilding teams, keep your eyes out for Blainville-Boisbriand Armada defenseman Xavier Villeneuve next season.
Amassing 62 points (12+50) through 61 games in his sophomore QMJHL season, Villeneuve was a dynamo this past season and given his dominance, it has come as no surprise that he has been rewarded with the Emile-Bouchard Trophy for defenseman of the year.
He becomes just the second D-1 defenseman to win the award, the first one dating back to former 10th overall pick of the Vancouver Canucks and eventual veteran of 16 NHL seasons, J.J. Daigneault who won the award in 1983. Villeneuve will have the chance next season to become only the second player in QMJHL history to win the award twice, matching Vegas Golden Knights' prospect Lukas Cormier.
Xavier Villeneuve (right) posing with Comissioner Mario Cecchini and the Emile-Bouchard Trophy (Photo: Ghyslain Bergeron)Nominees included Seattle Kraken prospect Alexis Bernier (Baie-Comeau) and Ty Higgins (Rouyn-Noranda).
Never want to miss out on any QMJHL news? Make sure to book mark THN's QMJHL site.