Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2024-25 Season Preview

The Huskies have said goodbye to a number of players this off-season.

Blackhawks prospect left winger Samuel Savoie and Lightning prospect defenseman Dyllan Gill have capped off their junior careers in an unfortunate manner, both missing most of last season with injuries. Both will jump ship to pro hockey for their 20-year old seasons.

Both of last season's imports, Daniil Bourosh and Kraken fourth rounder Andrei Loshko, will not return.

Meanwhile, Loshko will head to the OHL to play for the Niagara IceDogs.

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Related: Seattle Kraken Prospect Leaves QMJHL's Huskies For OHL

This isn't even including the departures of their overage talents including CHL goalie of the year William Rousseau (.924 in 50 games), point per game defenseman Jeremy Langlois (62 in 61) and five year veteran of the Huskies organization centerman Anthony Turcotte (48 in 63).

So, who are the overage crop for the team this year?

Well, one of them is only the QMJHL's point and assist leader last season, Antonin Verreault, with 107 points (36+71) in 68 games. Not a big deal.

Aside from him, they are looking at three other options.

There's defenseman Alex Carr, who set a career high 31 points last season. There's also former forty point scoring defenseman Ty Higgins (35 in 46), who had 22 points in his last 23 games since being acquired by the Huskies. Lastly, the team also brought back former 2020 QMJHL third overall pick left winger Leighton Carruthers (13 in 65) to the camp.

Just based on track record, I'd assume they pick Carr and Higgins here.

Supporting them on the blueline are notables Axel Dufresne (22 in 65) and Alexis Lemire (14 in 44). They also picked up 18-year old Latvian defenseman Harijs Cjunskis, who had four points (1+3) over 15 games in the Swiss Under-20 league with HC Lugano Jr.

Their other import is Swiss center Lars Steiner, who is coming off of a two point performance at the Hlinka-Gretzky this past August after posting 22 points over 33 games with Davos Jr. of the Swiss Under-20 league.

Given that the team has few proven centers, this could be an opportunity for the youngster to step up in a big way.

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Also in the mix up front is 2025 NHL Draft eligible left winger Bill Zonnon, who is coming off of an impressive 58 point (18+40) sophomore campaign last season.

Joining him is fellow left winger Thomas Verdon (51 in 68) and right winger Benjamin Brunelle (42 in 67).

The Huskies are a team that has really good pieces, but have some deep holes. The team has no proven center depth.

On top of that, even though the team has a strong defense corps, they lack in the goaltending department.

19-year old goalie Kyle Hagen struggled mightily behind Rousseau, posting an .842 save percentage last season over 11 games. The former 15th overall pick in the 2021 QMJHL Draft certainly has it in him to be a better goalie, having previously maintained an .892 over 20 games in 2022-23.

Meanwhile, Samuel Meloche had decent stats in the Quebec U-18 AAA league, playing 29 games at an .911 save percentage, but has only had a single game of QMJHL experience.

It's clear that the Huskies have a lot of faith in their goaltending to get it done, and if they can, they may very well match last year's season.

Although, that will only happen if they either improve their depth or goaltending. Or, both.

Ratings

• Forwards: B

• Defense: A

• Goalies: C

• Overagers: A

• Verdict: Contender

Notable Players

• D Alex Carr (Overager)

• D Ty Higgins (Overager)

• D Axel Dufresne

• D Alexis Lemire

• LW Antonin Verreault (Overager)

• LW Thomas Verdon

• LW Bill Zonnon

• RW Benjamin Brunelle

Likely Team MVP

LW Antonin Verreault (Overager)

Other Season Previews

• Saint John Sea Dogs

• Shawinigan Cataractes

• Sherbrooke Phoenix

• Val-d'Or Foreurs

• Victoriaville Tigres

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