When head coach Gardiner MacDougall joined the Moncton Wildcats organization in the summer, it set the tone for the season.

(Photo: Vincent Éthier)

Nine USports championships, two Universiade championships, one U-18 Gold Medal, a Memorial Cup as an interim head coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs and coming off of an undefeated 50-0 season in regular season, playoffs and tournaments last year.

It was championship or bust for the Wildcats.

With their 3-2 win over the Rimouski Océanic tonight, they've done exactly that -- securing the QMJHL championship and the regular season title in MacDougall's rookie season.

Now, all that is left for MacDougall and the Wildcats is the Memorial Cup. 

They'll meet up again with the Rimouski Océanic, who host the event next week, and will face off against the playoff champions of Canada's two other major junior leagues, the OHL's London Knights and the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers.

Florida Panthers Prospect To Leave QMJHL, Commits To Maine The Memorial Cup host Rimouski Océanic's roster boasts many NHL prospects. On their blueline, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers">Florida Panthers</a> prospect defender Luke Coughlin.

This will be Moncton's third appearance in the Memorial Cup, having won the QMJHL championship in each appearance. However, the Cats' have yet to secure the big trophy.

Unlike MacDougall, this will prove to be uncharted waters for Moncton's entire roster as no player on the team has made it this far in their junior careers.

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