Alumni Spotlight | Canadian Major Junior

OTTAWA, ON – A total of 49 Central Canada Hockey League alumni skated in Canadian Major Junior hockey programs during the 2022-23 season. Below we will take a closer look at the past season’s for Giovanni Morneau, Kyle Jackson, Evan Boucher, Vincent Labelle, Brody Fournier, Hugo Marcil, Jakob Robillard, Zachary Gravel, and Djibril Toure.

GIOVANNI MORNEAU – CHARLOTTETOWN ISLANDERS (QMJHL)

The Ottawa, ON native and Rockland Nationals alumni jumped into Major Junior hockey this past season and immediately made an impact. The shifty centerman led all Islanders players in Points (51) and Assists (33) while finishing 2nd in Goals (18). He also had thirteen multiple point games, including a hat-trick and 1st star performance in a 6-3 win against Acadie-Bathurst on February 26th. If this past season was any indication, Morneau could be in store for another big season in 2023-24.

KYLE JACKSON – NORTH BAY BATTALION (OHL)

The Ottawa, ON native and Ottawa Junior Senators alumni improved in each of his three seasons with North Bay and set career-highs in every offensive statistical category this past season. He finished 2nd in Points (83), 2nd in Goals (31), and 2nd in Assists (52) in 67 games of action with the Battalion. He had a career-high 13-game point streak where he totalled 22 points and took a career high 1129 face-offs in 2022-23.  The Seattle Kraken prospect and former CCHL Rookie of the Year will now graduate from junior hockey and into the professional ranks in 2023-24 where he will look to land a roster spot in the NHL. 

EVAN BOUCHER – HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS (QMJHL)

The Timmins, ON native who spent time in the CCHL with the Brockville Braves, Nepean Raiders, and Rockland Nationals was again a goal-scoring machine in 2022-23, notching 37 goals in 78 combined regular season and playoff games, as he helped the Mooseheads to the QMJHL finals. He had eight multi-point efforts, including a 5 point (3G, 2A) game in a 9-4 victory over Saint John on November 18th. Boucher is expected to join the professional ranks for the 2023-24 season.

VINCENT LABELLE – MONCTON WILDCATS (QMJHL)

The Ottawa, ON native and Rockland Nationals alumni set career-highs in his overage season with the Wildcats, finishing third on the club in Points (69), Goals (27), and Assists (42) in 65 games of action. The crafty centerman took a career-high 1152 face-offs in which he won 54% of them and had a 10-game point-streak where he totalled 17 points (5G, 12A). It was announced in early February that Labelle is returning home for 2023-24 where he will suit up for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees of USPORTS.

BRODY FOURNIER – HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS (QMJHL)

The Ottawa, ON native and Smiths Falls Bears alumni stepped into his first season of Major Junior as a role player on an extremely deep Halifax Mooseheads team. Although playing bottom six minutes, Fournier still managed to hit double digits in goals as he tallied 13 goals to go along with 12 assists in 68 games of action. With a handful of Halifax’s top offensive producers graduating the junior ranks, it is expected that Fournier will be given more offensive zone time in 2023-24 where he will look to showcase his ability the way he did when he led the CCHL in Goals during the 2021-22 season.

HUGO MARCIL – MONCTON WILDCATS (QMJHL)

The Ottawa, ON native and Rockland Nationals alumni had a productive rookie campaign with the Wildcats in which he led all team rookie defensemen in Goals (4), Assists (14), and Points (18). He would finish third on the team among all rookie skaters in Points. With only 4 points in his first 24 games of the season, Marcil would reel off 9 points (1G, 8A) in his next 10 games as he began to find his comfort zone. In early June, Marcil was acquired by the Sherbrooke Phoenix where he is expected to suit up for the 2023-24 season. 

JAKOB ROBILLARD – CHARLOTTETOWN ISLANDERS/SHERBROOKE PHOENIX (QMJHL)

The Wendover, ON native and Cornwall Colts alumni took advantage of a mid-season trade from Sherbrooke to Charlottetown where he would give the Islanders a chance at two-points pretty much every night he was in nets. Overall, he would start 47 games on the campaign and pick up 22 victories. He faced 30+ shots in 19 of his 26 starts for Charlottetown, picking up 13 wins and a very strong .908 SV%. Robillard will be continuing his hockey career with the University of Prince Edward Island of USPORTS for the 2023-24 season.

ZACHARY GRAVEL – CHICOUTIMI SAGUENEENS/CAPE BRETON EAGLES (QMJHL)

The Victoriaville, QC native and Ottawa Junior Senators alumni set career highs in his third and final season of Major Junior hockey in 2022-23. After an early season trade from Cape Breton to Chicoutimi, Gravel would take off with his new team as his 28 goals placed him 2nd on the Sagueneens, while his 54 points placed him 4th.  He would have two 4-point (2G, 2A) efforts on the campaign as he helped Chicoutimi to a 33-31-3-1 record. Gravel will continue his hockey career with the University of Quebec-Trois Rivieres of USPORTS for the 2023-24 season. 

DJIBRIL TOURE – SUDBURY WOLVES (OHL)

The Dorval, QC native and alumni of the Carleton Place Canadians and Hawkesbury Hawks made the jump to Major Junior this past season and transitioned nicely. The 6’7”, 200 lb right-handed defenceman made the Wolves as a free agent walk-on and showcased his strong physical presence to go along with his powerful skating and pro level shot. He will look to continue his positive upswing as an overager for the 2023-24 season.