QUEBEC CITY P.Q. — Identified as the favorite to not just to win their division but also as the team to beat in the QMJHL by The Hockey News publication, the Quebec Remparts will have tough task ahead of them if they want to answer the prognostication. Already in second place overall with a record of 5-1-1-1); behind the Drummondville Voltigeurs (6-0-1). As far as other teams in division are concerned, Chicoutimi is young team, Baie-Comeau head coach Stepane Hains wants an intense, physical team; and Rimouski is in Rebuilding mode. Let’s take a look at how the Eastern Division faired in the month of September. Quebec Remparts: The Remparts began their 2009-10 regular season with a 2-1-1 record by winning twice against Lewiston (5-3) and Shawinigan (5-2), but lost to Drummmondville (4-1), and Chicoutimi (5- 4 in overtime). Patrick Roy’s team seemed to play better on the road losing only once. They lost against Rimouski (4-3) on September 11th before winning in Chicoutimi (5-4) September 19th. Twenty year old Marc-Olivier Vallerand is the teams scoring leader with 11 points (4g) in eight games. Jonathan-Audy Marchessault, how has a point in seven consecutive games, is second with 9 points (7g). Rookie Ryan Bourque who was hit severely against Chicoutimi in Quebec didn’t make the trip in Abitibi. As of this writing, the team did not give any indication if the youngest son of Ray Bourque will play the next game against Baie-Comeau in Quebec on October 2nd. Peter Dalmas (Colorado Avalanche prospect) will have the task of performing game in and game out as the number one netminder. He ended September with a goals against average of 3.39 and a .892 save percentage. Backup Jean-Philippe Gagnon ended with a 3.12 GAA and a .882 save percentage. Chicoutimi Sagueneens: Chicoutimi compiled a record of 2-3-0-2 after seven games, second in their division but 15th overall in the QMJHL. Two members of the first line are the overall scoring leaders for the Sagueneens: Jacob Lagace (9 points) and Antoine Roussel (7 points). The other member of the first line, Nicolas Deschamps, had 4 points (4a) in only four games played. Chicoutimi head coach Richard Martel made an important decision when he decided to go with two young goaltenders to begin the regular season. Robin Gusse, their first round selection (17th overall) last summer impressed everyone in training camp, earned the right to stay with the team. The Bayonne, France native played very well, especially against the Quebec Remparts, making 42 saves on 45 shots in a 4-3 shootout win. Chicoutimi’s other goaltender, 17 year old Christopher Gibson, is a Finland native who will try to get the job done for Chicoutimi when called upon for the Sags. Another rookie fans in Chicoutimi will have to keep an eye on is left winger Alexandre Roy. The 6’ 1″, 193 pounds, works hard every time he steps on the ice. Alexandre Lavoie is another young talent in Chicoutimi who had five points in seven games, but time won’t be long before he will get his share of goals for the Sags. He is another player who gives all he has each time he steps on the ice. Rock Reginbald is another first round selection in 2009 (6th overall) that will need time to adjust to the QMJHL but he works hard and isn’t afraid to give all he has to help his team to win. Rimouski Oceanic: Ranked third in the Eastern Division, the Oceanic (2-3-2) has played well overall but dropped some games that head coach Clement Jodoin thought his team could have won. Rimouski opened their regular season with two home games against Quebec (a 4-3 win in OT) and Gatineau (losing 9-4) before going on the road to play Drummondville (lose 6-1) and Shawinigan (5-4 loss). The Oceanic returned home for two games against Rouyn-Noranda losing both 4-1 and 4-3, ending the month of September in Halifax with a 4-3 win. Felix Lefrancois has 9 points in 7 games (5g), Jakub Culek has 8 points (3g) in 7 games and Peter Straka with 7 points (5g) in 7 games, are the top three scoring leaders for the Oceanic. With 12 rookies in the lineup, Oceanic goaltender Matthew Dopud will have a tough task ahead of him to prevent the puck from crossing the goal line. With an experienced head coach who likes to teach the game, Jodoin will have his hands full. Baie-Comeau Drakkar: Last year the team earned a place in the playoffs. This year with only five rookies in the lineup, Baie-Comeau are optimistic of reaching the playoffs once again. Head Coach Stephane Hains wants his team to play with intensity and be physical. After the first month of activity, the Drakkar was in last place, 17th out of 18 teams in the QMJHL, cumulating a record of 2-4-1-0 after 7 games. Marc-Olivier Minar (3g-6a), Simon Olsson (3g-4a) and Gabriel Bourque (1g-6a) are the teams offensive leaders. The organization, count heavily on the offensive duo of Guillaume Goulet and Bourque Gabriel to be the offensively catalysts. In goal, Nathan Dunnett (acquired last year from Drummondville in the Marco Cousineau trade) will finally get his chance to be the main guy. Simon Giroux will act as Dunnett’s backup to learn the ropes as 17 year old. Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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