QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Back on the ice on Tuesday after four days off Quebec Remparts head coach Philippe Boucher will be able to work more precisely on the system as his 25 spots on the team has been determined.
Back on August 16 when the rookies training camp began, several players successfully 
retained the attention of Boucher as the veterans reported only on the 20th.
As the veterans reported to Quebec head coach Boucher, some rookies saw their dream ended.
For right winger Tommy Vaugeois, defensemen Brandon Lanning, Eric Nadon and Felix Tremblay, it was the end. If three players had to leave the organization welcome free agent forward Eric Brown. The young 17-year old, 5’09” 160 pound played last year for St. Louis Select in the NAPHL U16.
As 46 players still in the training camp on August 21st, two other players received the bad news as they were cut from the training camp on same day. Goaltenders Charles Olivier Rancourt and Marc-Antoine Berube-Jalbert learned they unfortunately had to leave the camp.
If several 16-year old players successfully earned a spot with Quebec organization in the past, everyone knows how hard it is to earn a place on junior team. If Quebec organization has had success in the past with American players, it hasn’t been the case lately.
On August 22nd, the organization has been proud to announce the young 16-year old defenseman Braeden Virtue agreed to wave-off his collegiate eligibility to live the Major Junior Hockey League experience.
American players can take part to junior hockey league camp only for 48 hours if they didn’t want to lose their eligibility to play in the NCAA. In hope of convincing the young kid to stay with the team, Boucher talk with Virtue parent’s and fortunately for the organization the 8th round selection (135th overall) in 2017 agreed to continue his career in Quebec.
After the team ended their training session on August 22nd five other players were cuts from the training camp. Players were goaltender Owen Liskiewicz, defenseman Maxime Lavoie and in case of American forwards Jake-Alexandre Putnam, Eric Brown and Benjamin McGlasing they left the camp after 48 hours keeping their collegiate eligibility.
On August 23rd, two other players learned the bad news. Fighting for one of the three veteran 20 years old spot on the team veteran defenseman Samuel Hould and 19 years old Pierre-Luc Lurette had to pack their equipment and leave.
With school about to begin for young 16 and 17-year old kids Major Junior team had to take some decisions. So on August 24th five other players learned the unfortunate news. Goaltender Philippe Bound, defenseman Felix-Olivier Chouinard left wingers Emile Hegarty-Aubin, Gabriel Montreuil center Alexandre Fortier, will all return to play in the midget AAA.
On August 24th, the Remparts announced they made a trade with the Acadie-Bathurst Titans. Quebec Remparts sent forward Ethan Crossman and the right to defenseman Felix-Antoine Drolet to the Titans, in return Acadie-Bathurst sent to Quebec their 6th and 7th round selections in 2019.
In another trade on August 25th, Boucher confirmed the arrival of left winger Anthony Wojcik from the Moncton Wildcats, Quebec sent their 0th round pick in 2019.
On August 26, two other players left the camp after they learned they weren’t succeful in their attempt to make the team. 17-year old right winger Guillaume St-Pierre and center Liam Leonard will respectively reports to their midget AAA team for 2017-18 season.
On Sunday August 27, Quebec made a trade with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Learned the day before he wasn’t successful in his attempt to make the junior team, Guillaume St-Pierre has been traded to the Huskies. In return Rouyn-Noranda sent to Quebec their 12th round selection in 2018.
In another move, on August 28th, Boucher made a trade with the Gatineau Olympiques. Quebec made the acquisition of defenseman Marc-Olivier Alain and the Gatineau 8th round selection in 2018, in return Quebec sent defenseman Darien Kielb and a 6th round pick in 2018.
On August 29th Quebec organization confirm the list of 25 players who will form the 2017-18 edition of the Quebec Remparts. Before confirming the list still with four veterans 20-year old one had to leave leaving three 20 years old players like the rule allow in junior hockey.
Unfortunately for defenseman Alexandre Drapeau he was the last player been cut by the organization before the 25 players list been sent to the league office.
Only two exhibition games still on schedule before Quebec Remparts officially open the 2017-18 regular season. Quebec will return in action on Friday September 8th as the team will face the Gatineau Olympiques. On Saturday September 9th Quebec will host Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.