Shawinigan Cataractes 2024-25 Season Preview

The Shawinigan Cataractes are poised to be a sneaky good team this season, that might quickly become obviously good if one very specific thing happens.

Matvei Gridin.

It is believed that the Val-d'Or Foreurs have a trade in place that will occur at the beginning of the regular season that will send the Calgary Flames' 2024 first rounder to Shawinigan.

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Related: Matvei Gridin's Fate May Soon Be Decided

While this move will be massive for the team. Since it has not occured, I will not factor it into the team's outlook this season.

That said, even without Matvei Gridin, the Cataracts look real solid.

After struggling mightily on Chicoutimi, Mathys Fernandez looked like an entirely new goalie after being dealt to Shawinigan as he posted a .903 over 17 games to end the season.

Meanwhile, Felix Hamel played strongly as well -- rocking an .894 across 28 games.

The two goalies can tango, that's for sure, and should be a strong tandem this season.

Although, one would have to wonder whether they will remain a tandem by season's end? Will one ask for a trade to be a definitive starter, especially given that no team will use up two import slots on goalies?

Defensively, the team looks great too.

Jordan Tourigny is coming off back-to-back 40+ point seasons at 19, and has quickly become a fan favourite on the team.

Veteran Isaac Menard will return for his fifth season in Shawinigan, now as an overager, after a 25-point season as one of the team's associate captains. Menard is coming off a down year offensively after back to back forty point seasons before.

Meanwhile 2026 NHL draft eligibles Noah McKinnon and Shawinigan's 15th overall pick this year, Louis-Felix Gagnon, are expected to break into the lineup on opening night.

McKinnon, who was taken 37th last year by Shawinigan, played sporadically with the Cataractes to start last season before becoming a full time player in the New Year and he just took off.

He will look to improve off of a solid 14-point (4+10), 36-game rookie campaign.

Up front, the Cataractes are strong as well. They boast a plethora of solid players including 2023-24 team point leader center Felix Lacerte (59 in 52), last year's mid season addition right winger Vince Elie (72 in 67), overage centerman Louis-Philippe Fontaine (57 in 66), left winger Natan Ethier (34 in 62).

The team's sole import as of yet is left winger Jiri Klima (31 in 54), who finished the season at a near point per game pace. He could be a draft re-entry candidate to watch for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Not included in this mix of carry over talent from last year is centerman Chad Lygitsakos, who was the 3rd overall pick in the 2024 QMJHL Draft, and should hopefully have an immediate impact on the team and the league.

Overall, this team looks really solid on paper. Though, as it stands, I think they are contenders but maybe not my number one or number two.

Getting Gridin would absolutely put them in that conversation, though. On top of that, they still have an overager slot available, too.

It's clear that while Shawinigan has released it's rosters for the season, there's still lots that will be done.

That responsibility will fall in the hands of General Manager Martin Mondou.

Ratings

• Forwards: A

• Defense: A

• Goalies: B

• Overagers: A

• Verdict: Challenger

Notable Players

• G Mathys Fernandez

• D Jordan Tourigny

• D Isaac Menard (Overager)

• D Noah McKinnon

• D Louis-Felix Gagnon

• LW Jiri Klima (Import)

• LW Natan Ethier

• C/RW Felix Lacerte

• C Louis-Philippe Fontaine (Overager)

• C Chad Lygitsakos

• RW Vince Elie

Likely Team MVP

C Felix Lacerte (Unless Matvei Gridin signs)

Other Season Previews

• Sherbrooke Phoenix

• Val-d'Or Foreurs

• Victoriaville Tigres

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