QMJHL Players of the Month | January 2023
- Forward of the Month
Riley Kidney – Gatineau Olympiques – 8GP, 6G, 16A, 22Pts
The Gatineau Olympiques is a team on a mission this season. Fittingly, their biggest acquisition during the holiday trade period is on one of his own. Averaging almost three points per game since landing in Gatineau from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, Riley Kidney’s first few games of 2023 include seven straight multi-point games, a five-point outing on January 14 versus the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and a four-point night against the Val-d’Or Foreurs on the 27th. That’s not to ignore a +14 rating on the month and a pair of game winning tallies for the West Division-leading Olympiques.
A second-round selection of the Montreal Canadiens at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Kidney’s spectacular debut with Gatineau has vaulted him into seventh in the league’s scoring race with 67 points in 39 games.
Honorable Mention
Josh Lawrence – Halifax Mooseheads – 10GP, 12G, 8A, 20Pts
- Defenseman of the Month
Frederic Brunet – Rimouski Oceanic/Victoriaville Tigres – 10GP, 3G, 13A, 16Pts
Another big name from the trade period, Frederic Brunet is hoping to capture a playoff title with the resurgent Tigres. His performance since coming over from Rimouski has given every indication that he’ll be a key part of a potential postseason run, recording points in eight of his first nine games with his new club. Included in that run was a four-point outing against Val-d’Or on January 13 and a pair of three-point efforts, including one on the 28th versus the Charlottetown Islanders in which he sniped the game winning goal. His +10 rating and presence on the ice in all situations has bolstered a Tigres team firmly locked in a battle for first place in the Western Conference.
Brunet, a fifth-round selection of the Boston Bruins at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, recently recorded his 100th career regular season point in the QMJHL. He currently sits second among all defensemen with 50 points in 45 games.
Honorable Mention
Isaac Menard – Shawinigan Cataractes – 10GP, 2G, 9A, 11Pts
- Goaltender of the Month
Mathis Rousseau – Halifax Mooseheads – 8-0-0-0, 1.78 GAA, .938 SV%, 1 SO
It’s uncertain when the Halifax Mooseheads will next lose a game in regulation but one thing that seems a sure bet is Mathis Rousseau will do all he can to prevent it from happening. The 18-year-old from Boisbriand, Quebec went undefeated on the month, part of a 11-game personal win streak and 15 games earning at least one point for the Maritimes Division-leading Mooseheads. Six of his seven starts during the month saw him allow three goals or less, highlighted by a 2-1 shootout victory over the Quebec Remparts in which he made 32 saves in regulation and a 46-save performance against the Sherbrooke Phoenix in which he also added an assist. He completed his month with his third shutout of the season on the 29th, stopping all 23 shots against Acadie-Bathurst.
Rousseau sports a sparkling 25-4-2-1 record entering the month of February. His 2.48 GAA and .914% save percentage place him fourth in the league in both departments.
Honorable Mention
William Rousseau – Quebec Remparts – 4-0-1-1, 1.63 GAA, .922 SV%, 1 SO
- Rookie of the Month
Maxim Masse – Chicoutimi Sagueneens – 12GP, 9G, 4A, 13Pts
Maxim Masse entered the league as one of the most dynamic offensive players from his draft class. He’s done a thorough job of backing up those claims for a Chicoutimi club that has a very bright future. The first month of the new year saw the 16-year-old from Rimouski, Quebec record four multi-point games and a pair of multi-goal outings. On January 14 versus the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Masse recorded his first career game-winning goal. A couple weeks later, he’d repeat the performance on the 29th against the Rimouski Oceanic. Masse’s performance has helped make the young Sags a dangerous opponent, as reflected by the team’s 7-3-0-0 record over its final ten January contests.
Masse currently leads all rookies in scoring with 46 points in 45 games. The third overall selection at the 2022 QMJHL Draft, Masse arrived in the league after an impressive season with the College Notre-Dame Albatros last year.
Honorable Mention
Thomas Verdon – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies – 11GP, 4G, 10A, 14Pts
