The Moncton Wildcats and Rimouski Oceanic began their highly anticipated battle in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Championship Series on Saturday, May 10, 2025, for the right to lift the prestigious Gilles-Courteau Trophy. With both teams set to advance to the Memorial Cup tournament in Rimouski, Quebec, beginning May 22, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Entering the playoffs with the best record in the league at 53-9-2, the Wildcats have been a dominant force this season, losing only one game throughout their playoff run. Their only setback came in Game 3 against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar during the second round. Caleb Desnoyers, a top NHL prospect, has been leading the charge for Moncton. He finished fifth in league scoring during the regular season with an impressive 35 goals and 84 points. In the playoffs, Desnoyers has continued his stellar performance, scoring nine goals and accumulating 24 points, which ties him for the lead in postseason scoring.
“He’s always been the lead guy throughout his hockey career,” said TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button. “At this time last year, he was helping Canada win a gold medal at the under-18 World Championship as a 17-year-old on a line with [phenom] Gavin McKenna and [fellow top prospect] Porter Martone.”
Desnoyers' contributions have been complemented by the emergence of secondary scorers like Gabe Smith and Juraj Pekarcik. Smith, a Utah Mammoth prospect, had a breakout year, recording 20 goals and 39 points in 52 games during the regular season. In the playoffs, he has registered four goals and 17 points in 13 games, positioning him as a crucial asset for the Wildcats.
Pekarcik, acquired from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, has also made a significant impact. The Slovakia native recorded 24 goals and 67 points in his first season in the QMJHL and has added six goals and 14 points in the playoffs. His ability to find the net has been vital for Moncton's offensive strategy.
In goal, the Wildcats have relied on a strong tandem of Mathis Rousseau and Rudy Guimond. Rousseau, who was traded to Moncton after a successful stint with the Halifax Mooseheads, boasts a remarkable record of 31-8-4 in the regular season with a .925 save percentage and a 2.27 goals-against average. He has continued to perform well in the playoffs, going 5-1 with a 2.59 GAA and .912 save percentage.
Guimond, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, has been nothing short of spectacular. He achieved a perfect record of 16-0-0 in the regular season, with a 1.73 GAA and .940 save percentage. In the playoffs, he has maintained his unbeaten streak, going 7-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .927 save percentage, showcasing his reliability in crucial moments.
On the other side, the Rimouski Oceanic entered the QMJHL Final after a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Shawinigan Cataractes, where trade deadline acquisition Eriks Mateiko scored the game-winner in double overtime. Rimouski finished the regular season with the second-best record at 46-14-4, but injuries have plagued their playoff journey.
Last year's QMJHL MVP, Mathieu Cataford, has only appeared in six playoff games due to injuries but made a return for the decisive Game 7 against Shawinigan. Meanwhile, star defenseman Spencer Gill has missed the entire playoffs with a lower-body injury, impacting the Oceanic's defensive lineup. Despite these challenges, Rimouski has relied on its depth, with captain Mathieu Joseph stepping up to tie Desnoyers for the lead in playoff scoring with 13 goals and 24 points.
“When you lose someone like Cataford, you know you have some depth to fall back on like Mathieu,” Button noted. “He isn’t a name guy who catches the attention of everyone, but he personifies Rimouski as a good balanced team.”
Rimouski's success has also been attributed to the stellar play of rookie goaltender Mathis Langevin. Acquired from the Titan prior to the trade deadline, Langevin has emerged as a key player, boasting a playoff record of 10-2 with a league-leading 1.38 GAA and .947 save percentage. His performance has been crucial in keeping Rimouski competitive against formidable opponents.
As the series unfolds, the anticipation is palpable. Game 2 of the QMJHL Championship Series is set to take place on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Moncton before the series shifts to Rimouski for Game 3 on Monday, May 12, 2025. Both teams are eager to secure a pivotal win that could set the tone for the rest of the series.
“I always try to break things down to the final four teams when I’m projecting the playoffs,” said Button. “When you have a scenario where you have the two best teams in the QMJHL playing in the final, it’s great for the Memorial Cup and it’s great for the league.”
With both teams showcasing incredible talent and determination, the QMJHL Championship Series promises to deliver thrilling hockey action that fans won’t want to miss.
