For the first time since 2010, the Moncton Wildcats are champions of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
Backstopped by stellar goaltending, propelled by an explosive second period, and anchored by standout performances from key NHL prospects, Moncton defeated the Rimouski Océanic 3–2 in Game 6 on Monday to capture the Gilles-Courteau Trophy and book their ticket to the 2025 Memorial Cup.
The victory caps a 4–2 series win and marks Moncton’s third league championship in franchise history—its first since the days of the President’s Cup.
And this one was earned the hard way.
Wildcats roar in the second
The Wildcats entered Game 6 determined to close out the series on the road, and it was in the second period where they truly took over. Utah Mammoth prospect Gabe Smith scored a pair of goals—including the eventual series-winner at 17:46—while Boston Bruins draftee Loke Johansson added another to give Moncton a 3–0 cushion heading into the third.
Smith, 18, was dominant all postseason long. With Monday’s performance, he finished with six goals and 22 points in 19 playoff games, tied for third in QMJHL postseason scoring. A fourth-round pick (103rd overall) by Utah in 2024, Smith had points in 16 of 19 playoff games, including five multi-point nights and two multi-goal games.
“He’s a gamer,” head coach Gardiner MacDougall said post-game. “When the moment calls for it, Gabe rises. He’s done it all year.”
Rimouski mounted a furious third-period push behind goals from regular-season scoring champion Jonathan Fauchon and captain Mathieu Jacob, but Moncton netminder Mathis Rousseau stood tall, turning aside 24 shots to seal the win.
Across the rink, Oceanic goaltender Mathis Langevin was strong in defeat, making 30 saves to keep his team within reach.
Desnoyers named Playoff MVP, Morin breaks out
Moncton centre Caleb Desnoyers was awarded the Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP after tallying nine goals and 30 points in 19 games—second only to Fauchon. The 17-year-old becomes the first NHL Draft-eligible player to win the honour since Jonathan Drouin did so with Halifax in 2013. Desnoyers is currently ranked No. 6 on Bob McKenzie’s final draft board.
“It’s a huge honour,” said Desnoyers, moments after lifting the trophy. “But this is about the team. We battled for this.”
While Smith and Desnoyers carried the offence up front, Calgary Flames prospect Etienne Morin quietly dominated from the blue line. The 2023 second-rounder led all defencemen in playoff scoring with 20 points (2G, 18A) in 19 games, and his 10 power play assists were the most of any player in the postseason.
Morin added five power play points in the Finals alone, playing a crucial role in the Wildcats’ ability to maintain offensive zone pressure and convert key man advantages.
New era in Moncton
This championship marks a new chapter for the Wildcats under first-year head coach Gardiner MacDougall, who arrived in Moncton after 24 seasons at the helm of the University of New Brunswick, where he won nine national titles—including an undefeated run in 2023–24.
“Winning doesn’t get old,” said MacDougall, who now adds a QMJHL crown to his crowded trophy case. “These kids earned every bit of this.”
Although Rimouski fell short, their playoff run was nothing short of historic. The Océanic became the first team in QMJHL history to force a Game 6 in the finals after falling behind 3–0 in the series. It was a gutsy effort from a team that never folded, led by the dynamic Fauchon, who topped all playoff scorers with 11 goals and 31 points.
Despite the loss, Rimouski will still compete at the Memorial Cup as tournament hosts.
The road to the Memorial Cup
With the QMJHL title secured, Moncton now shifts its focus to the Memorial Cup, which begins Friday in Rimouski. The Wildcats will join the WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers—led by 2026 NHL top prospect Gavin McKenna—and the London Knights (OHL), alongside the host Oceanic.
The opening game will feature Rimouski and Medicine Hat at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on TSN, the official broadcaster of the Memorial Cup.
Utah’s Gabe Smith, Calgary’s Etienne Morin, and Boston’s Loke Johansson will all be ones to watch. As for Desnoyers? He’ll be looking to boost his already surging draft stock on junior hockey’s biggest stage.
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