Three Finalists Announced for the Guy Carbonneau Trophy in the QMJHL

Three exceptional talents have risen to the forefront as finalists for the prestigious Guy Carbonneau Trophy in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (LHJMQ).

In contention are Félix Gagnon from the Drakkar de Baie-Comeau, Nikita Prishchepov from the Tigres de Victoriaville, and Anthony Turcotte from the Huskies de Rouyn-Noranda.

Félix Gagnon, a stalwart in Baie-Comeau for four seasons, showcased his versatility under the guidance of head coach Jean-François Grégoire.

He excelled particularly in the penalty-killing department, leading the league with four assists in such situations.

Additionally, Gagnon topped the charts in faceoff efficiency, winning 882 of his 1378 draws and registering a remarkable 64% success rate, positioning him among the league’s best.

Combined with his offensive prowess of 58 points (21 goals, 37 assists) and a stellar plus-43 rating, Gagnon emerged as a defensive force to be reckoned with, ranking seventh overall in the league.

On the other hand, Nikita Prishchepov of the Victoriaville Tigres proved to be a pivotal player for his team, contributing beyond just point production.

Prishchepov, the fifth-highest scorer for the Tigres with 67 points (22 goals, 45 assists) in 63 games, displayed remarkable composure in the faceoff circle under coach Carl Mallette’s guidance.

His impressive faceoff win percentage of 54.2% (548 wins in 1011 attempts) underlined his importance in critical game situations.

Moreover, his defensive acumen was on full display during penalty-killing scenarios, where he notched five goals and eight points, securing the second rank in the league behind Lou-Félix Denis.

Meanwhile, Anthony Turcotte, a seasoned 20-year-old with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, enjoyed a record-breaking season, setting personal bests across the board.

Turcotte’s contributions were widespread, highlighted by his 16 goals, 32 assists, 48 points, and an outstanding plus-35 rating.

His prowess extended to the penalty kill, where he tallied two goals and an assist, further solidifying his reputation as a two-way threat.

Turcotte’s dominance in the faceoff circle was equally impressive, with 746 wins out of 1236 draws, translating to a stellar 60.4% success rate, ranking him third in the league.