QMJHL: forward Maxim Massé is the jewel of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens

UPGRADE DAY

Yanick Jean has managed several very talented 16-year-old players during his career: Phillip Danault, Hendrix Lapierre and William Dufour among others. But of that number, none had an offensive impact as quick as the one he claimed for third overall in the last QMJHL Draft: Maxim Massé.

The 16-year-old right winger dominates all rookies in the Courteau circuit so far this season. He is not only the only first-year player to have reached the 25-goal mark, but also the only rookie hockey player to average more than one point per game since the start of the season (51 points in 50 games). .

For comparison, Danault, whom Jean coached at age 16 with the Victoriaville Tigres in 2009-2010, finished his first season in the QMJHL with 28 points in 61 games. For his part, Lapierre had 45 points in 48 games in his first season after being the first overall pick in the 2018 QMJHL Draft.

“Of course, each player is different,” says Yanick Jean first, referring to other young people his age whom he has coached in the past. On the other hand, I have never managed a 16-year-old player as dominant as that in terms of offensive production. »

A PILLAR

Beyond his offensive production, it is first and foremost the way in which he collects his points that impresses Jean.

“In our league, it’s completely different to play against the first lines and the first pairs of defensemen, night after night, than against the opposing fourth line and fifth and sixth defensemen. Since day 1, Massé has been playing against the best lines on the other side, all while maintaining a positive differential. His production is not limited only to making points on the power play and that is what is really impressive. »

For now, the Sags seem to have hit the bullseye by selecting him just behind defender Tomas Lavoie and goaltender Gabriel D'Aigle in the last draft.

“He exceeds our expectations. His personality, his desire to improve and his passion for hockey make him improve every day. He loves it, he eats it and constantly wants to improve. »

In the midst of the reconstruction process, Chicoutimi can already count on a key element for the future.

“It’s a good post on which we can lean! adds the one who combines the functions of head coach and general manager of the team. 

HAPPY IN CHICOUTIMI

Himself somewhat surprised at the impact he's already having on his team at such a young age, the 6'1″, 181lb right winger credits a lot of his success to being a landed in Saguenay.

“Since I arrived in Chicoutimi, things have been going really well. Yanick trusts me and he gives me ice time. I couldn't be better cared for than here. »

This confidence on the part of his trainer seems reciprocal, since the native of Rimouski was full of praise for Yanick Jean.

« What I love the most about Yanick is his competitive spirit and I love that. We all want to win here and me the first. »

SCHOOL HOCKEY PRODUCT

Moreover, Massé used the path of school hockey to perfect his development. He spent the majority of his minor hockey career with the Mistral school program, in the School Preparatory Hockey League (LHPS).

“It was really fun and an excellent caliber game. I think if in your head you think you can succeed, you're going to find a way to do it, no matter where you play.

Massé then made the jump to the U18 AAA level with the Notre-Dame Albatross last season, before becoming a top draft pick the following summer. 

Performance of the week 

Louis-Philippe Fontaine

A magical night against their great rivals

The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forward had a dream night last Sunday, scoring four points, two goals and two assists, in a 8 to 4 win over their lifelong rivals, the Val-d'Or Foreurs. 

The duel to watch < /p>

Rimouski @Victoriaville

• Sunday evening, 4 p.m., at Colisée Desjardins

The Océanic and the Tigres are trying to maintain their third place in their respective conferences. 

The number of the week: 2< /em> 

Halifax Mooseheads forward Jordan Dumais is just two points short of hitting 100 points for the second year in a row. It has 98 in 47 parts.