Yahoo Sports Recap: The QMJHL At Under-17 World Challenge
This weekend saw the conclusion of the Under-17's, with Team Canada White coming out on top in the Gold medal game besting Team Canada White 3-1.
Below is a sneak peak at how the QMJHL's representatives did at the tournament.
Team Canada Red
Coached by: Travis Crickard (Saint John)
C Chad Lygitsakos (Shawinigan)
In our recent interview with Chad Lygitsakos, he told us how important it was for both him and his family to have gotten the opportunity to represent team Canada despite what he felt like was a poor camp this past summer.
Well, it's safe to say that Lygitsakos took the opportunity by the horns as he notched three goals across four games for sole possession as his team's goal leader.
The 5-foot-8 centerman will look to carry on the momentum from his stellar play at the tournament as he returns to Shawinigan where he's already put up four points (3+1) across 13 games with the Cataractes so far.
C Maddox Dagenais (Quebec)
After being named the first overall selection of the 2024 QMJHL Draft last summer and going on to score 16 points (7+9) across his first 16 games of his rookie campaign with the Remparts, there was a lot of anticipation as to how well Dagenais might perform for Team Canada at the tournament.
Unfortunately, it was a bit of a quiet tournament for the 'Dagger' as he was only able to pot a single assist across four games.
He'll return to Quebec City with a silver medal in hand and hopefully a re-ignited spark.
C Romain L'Italien (Cape Breton)
Speaking of quiet tournaments, Eagles centerman Romain L'Italien laid only eggs on the scoresheet -- going point-less at the event.
The 2024 fourth overall pick will return to Cape Breton, where he's immediately become an impactful forward with five points (2+3) across 12 games with the team.
Team Canada White
Coached by: Mathieu Turcotte (Blainville-Boisbriand)
D Benjamin Cosette-Ayotte (Val-d'Or)
'BCA' had a big tournament for the gold medal winning Team Canada White, potting two assists across five games -- tied for second most points from defensemen on his team.
The 6-foot-1 blueliner joins the Foreurs where he's already been able to produce three points (1+2) across 14 games.
LW Jayden Plouffe (Chicoutimi)
Chicoutimi's Plouffe arguably had the worse tournament of all the QMJHL prospects, and it wasn't exactly because of his absence on the scoresheet.
During the semi-final game, Plouffe went down awkwardly and had to be stretchered off the ice.
Team Canada White head coach Mathieu Turcotte tells me Plouffe is doing OK. Looks like he’s done for the tournament but may be able to leave hospital tonight and rejoin the team, rather than having to stay overnight. Upper body injury. Sounds like a good outcome considering. https://t.co/1SiKJPHj8a
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 8, 2024
Despite suffering an upper-body injury and a scare, he was feeling good enough to dress for the final game instead of returning immediately to Chicoutimi albeit didn't play out of precaution.
Thankfully he's okay and hopefully shouldn't be out too long.
The winger has already picked up three points (1+2) over 14 games with the Saguenéens this season.
G Antoine Proulx (Acadie-Bathurst)
Proulx was Team Canada Red's backup at the tournament and only appeared in a single game, picking up the win and stopping 19 of 21 in the process for a .905 save percentage -- for the third highest save percentage at the tournament.
Proulx has yet to play a game with the Titan this season, instead playing AAA with the Levis Chevaliers where he's secured a .925 save percentage across eight games -- winning all but one.
QMJHL draft picks
Apart from the QMJHL guarantees, the tournament featured fellow QMJHL draft picks in centerman Tynan Lawrence (Team White) and defenseman Cameron Chartrand (Team Red).
Chartrand was taken by the Saint John Sea Dogs with the 19th overall pick in the 2024 QMJHL Draft but has yet to report, choosing to play AAA in the United States. He had a strong tourney, putting up two assists over four games. The 6-foot-1 defender committed to join Boston College in the 2027-28 season.
Meanwhile Tynan Lawrence was taken with the 10th selection by the Saguenéens, but opted to play in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks where he's tallied 10 points (4+6) in order to preserve his NCAA commitment with Boston University. He arguably had the best tournament of all QMJHL draft picks, accumulating six points including three goals and assists over five games.
With the recent news of the NCAA allowing CHL players to remain eligible for college hockey, there's whispers of Tynan Lawrence following in his brother Josh's footsteps and making the move to the QMJHL.
However, as it stands, Lawrence will return to Muskegon -- who had approached the OHL in the hopes of joining the league according to Jeff Marek.
Related:
Related: 'Q' & A With Chad Lygitsakos
Related: CHL Players Eligible For NCAA As Of Next Year. What Does This Mean For The QMJHL?
More news
Related: Bruins Sign Moncton Defenseman To ELC
