Herd Word

Photo - Trevor MacMillan via The Hockey News

It's opening week finally.

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League regular season begins this week when the defending league champion Moncton Wildcats visit the Newfoundland Regiment on Thursday night. It will be the first QMJHL game in St. John's since 2008. 

Our Halifax Mooseheads will play a home-and-home series against the Charlottetown Islanders this weekend to start the year, opening up on the road before hosting their home opener on September 20. 

Photo - Crushers Facebook

MHL SEASON UNDERWAY
The Maritime Junior A Hockey League regular season got underway this past Thursday and there are a number of Herd alumni playing in the league. Defenseman Dominic MacKenzie along with forwards Logan Crosby and Cade Moser will suit up with the Pictou County Crushers while the Truro Bearcats have forwards Liam Welsh, Jake Todd and Callum Aucoin on their roster. 

Halifax affiliate players Cole Bent (Valley), Tucker Makinen (Yarmouth), Ryan Fletcher (Valley), Jameson George (Chaleur), Aidan Bent (Valley) and Cole MacLeod (Yarmouth) have also been named to rosters. 

19-year-old Logan Crosby, who played 163 games with the Mooseheads before being traded to the Moncton Wildcats, will wear the C on his chest for the Crushers after being named captain on September 11. In his third season with the Bearcats, Liam Welsh, 20, was given the C while Jake Todd was named an assistant captain on the Truro club. 

KILFOIL SCORES
While participating in Detroit Red Wings camp, forward Liam Kilfoil scored a really nice goal in the Wings' 6-5 loss against the Dallas Stars prospects on Sunday. 

Detroit has not announced their main camp roster so I am not sure if Kilfoil has been invited but I haven't seen the team announce they have released him either. 

A beauty from Liam Kilfoil pic.twitter.com/A0CoJaKTAK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 15, 2025

SIMONS PUTTING UP MONEY
Back in June, it was announced that the Halifax Mooseheads were asking the Halifax regional council for a loan worth about 1.5 million dollars to build a 4,720-square-foot training facility extension to the RBC Centre in Dartmouth. The council said they would look into it but as of September, had not made a decision. 

Well now, the clubs owners, Simon Sports, are saying they will be willing to pay for the full price of the construction. There are still questions and the final plan needs to be given the green light by the council either way it sounds like. Even once it is, the facility wouldn't be complete for another additional year or so. For the full story, click here. 

QMJHL FIGHT
After not being offered an entry level contract by the Nashville Predators who drafted him in 2023, former Moose defenseman Dylan MacKinnon was invited to Boston Bruins rookie camp over the weekend. The Bruins participated in the two-game Prospects Challenge hosted by Buffalo. During the team's game against New Jersey, MacKinnon fought fellow Q alumnus Cam Squires. 

ARENA UPGRADES
Talking about the home opener, fans should expect to see some changes when they head to the Scotiabank Centre on Saturday evening. A new public address system has been added to the facility, along with new interior and exterior digital signage. There will be new concessions offerings though no more info is given. Work is also currently being completed on a new state-of-the-art player area for the Mooseheads players and coaching stuff which is slated to open later this fall according to the article released by the team. 

Scotiabank renewed its naming rights partnership with the arena back in the spring and it was long rumoured (or known) that upgrades would be made once again to the almost 50 year old building. 

"We're excited to start a new season with our incredible fans. There are many new additions to the fan experience that we are looking forward to sharing with them. We have a great young team and we can't wait for all of us to be together again on Saturday night in Moose Country," said President Brian Urquhart. 

CHL TOP 10 
While our Mooseheads did not make the pre-season top 10 rankings, I thought I would share them for anybody who is interested. 
1. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 
2. Brantford Bulldogs 
3. Spokane Chiefs 
4. Chicoutimi Sagueneens 
5. Windsor Spitfires
6. Edmonton Oilers
7. Kitchener Rangers
8. Moncton Wildcats
9. Kelowna Rockets
10. Niagara IceDogs

Other things..

• This is a little late but I wanted to still share it anyways. Nova Scotia was well represented at Hockey Canada's Olympics orientation camp in late August & the four players attending got together for a picture.

  

  'Coupla bluenosers' Marchand, Turnbull, Crosby & MacKinnon
  Photo - Blayre Turnbull's Instagram

  
  
• FloHockey lists Halifax forward Liam Kilfoil as one of top future NHL prospects to watch in the QMJHL this year. Kilfoil went undrafted in 2025 but is eligible again for the 2026 entry draft. 
• Pictou County's Logan Crosby (3G & 1A) and Cade Moser (1G & 3A) have started the MHL season on a good note, with both recording 4 points each in 2 games. Jake Todd had two goals for Truro over the weekend. 
• On September 4, it was announced that the Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers were named the finalists to host the 2027 Memorial Cup. 

Herd Word

Below is another collection of stories that have happened recently in regards to our Halifax Mooseheads. A few of them are old news but I didn't share much in November as I wanted to because I did not feel good for most of the month. There are probably stories I am missing but I try my hardest to include what I can. Hope you enjoy this post. 

MOOSE TRACKS
The Halifax Mooseheads have brought back a behind the scenes look at the team with a new season of the Moose Tracks feature. The first episode is titled 'Legacy' and shows from training camp until the Mathis Rousseau goal. Check out the video below.

I got to say that it is nice to see these back and the video is very well done. Always good to see the behind the scenes stuff. I'm not sure when the next episode will be shared but I'm looking forward to it as the first one finished on a bit of a cliffhanger. 

Photo - Herd Twitter

FRANCHISE RECORD
We knew it was going to happen this season but we just didn't know when. Forward Jordan Dumais made more history last month when he set a new franchise record for points with 304 which was an assist on a first period goal during a game against the Cape Breton Eagles on November 12. Over 9,000 fans witnessed the milestone be accomplished that afternoon with the previous holder Brandon Benedict and his family in attendance as well. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect recorded three assists in total in a 4-0 victory and was named first star of the game. 

Benedict played for the Mooseheads from 1998 to 2003 and recorded 303 regular season points during his five seasons over 343 games in the QMJHL. He is now the head coach of the MHL's Valley Wildcats. The 41-year-old had a special moment with Dumais in the Herd dressing room post game. 

Dumais has continued to rack up points since and as of this post, has 320 through 191 games played. His total puts him at 146th overall in the Q. 

LARMAND
Cam Russell and the Mooseheads staff made a move a couple of weeks ago, adding 20-year-old forward Ethan Larmand to the roster from the Sudbury Wolves. The native of Midland, ON was placed on waivers by the Wolves after playing 169 games for the team, collecting 62 points. Larmand fills the vacant overage roster position and will wear #55.

"We're very happy to add Ethan to our lineup. He is a character guy who plays well at both ends of the ice and will give us some extra veteran leadership in the dressing room," said GM Russell. 

A late welcome to the team Ethan. 

Photo - QMJHL website

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
The players of the month for November were announced last week and our leading scorer, Jordan Dumais was named the Forward of the Month. He scored 8 goals and 26 points in 12 games played. 

Baie-Comeau's Alexis Bernier was named the top defenseman, while the goaltender of the month was Nathan Darveau of Victoriaville. Raoul Bollard of the Drakkar was named the best rookie in November. 

TEAM OF THE WEEK
Herd defenseman Brady Schultz was named to the Q Team of the Week for the period ranging from November 27 to December 3, 2023. 

Photo - QMJHL website

CHL TOP 10
After a three loss week, all on the road against Quebec teams, our Mooseheads fell down to #7 on the CHL's top 10 rankings on Tuesday. 

1. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (25-3-2-0)   last week: 2
2. Prince George Cougars (21-7-0-0)   last week: 1 
3. Kitchener Rangers (20-7-1-0)   last week: 4
4. Saginaw Spirit (16-8-0-1)   last week: 8
5. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (17-8-2-0)   last week: 9
6. Saskatoon Blades (19-8-1-0)   last week: 10

7. Halifax Mooseheads (19-7-3-0)   last week: 3

8. Wenatchee Wild (19-8-3-0)   last week: n/a
9. Moncton Wildcats (18-7-1-1)   last week: 6
10. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (16-7-1-3)   last week: n/a

DURANDEAU
Former Herd forward Arnaud Durandeau has new colours after the New Jersey Devils acquired the 24-year-old from the New York Islanders last week. Durandeau will report to the AHL's Utica Comets. He had one goal and three assists in 12 games played with the Bridgeport Islanders before being traded. Since he left Halifax after the 2018-19 season, the Montreal, QC native has played 201 professional games most of them in the American Hockey League. 

Photo - Devils website

He joins a Devils organization that has a few other Mooseheads alumni in it, with Nico Hischier and Timo Meier playing in New Jersey while Xavier Parent is now Durandeau's teammate in Utica. 

NEXT GAMES
Our Moose will hope to turn things around this week after a disappointing road trip that saw the team go 1-3-1-0 over the five games. Halifax will have back to back home games in which the fans can cheer on a few players before they go off to World Junior camp. Thursday will see the Western conference leading Drummondville Voltigeurs come to town meanwhile the inaugural Toque Toss game is on Friday against the Gatineau Olympiques. 

Herd Word

This week has started off quite well for players associated with our Halifax Mooseheads. Here are some stories to end the month of October. 

LAVOIE

Former Herd forward Raphael Lavoie was named the AHL Player of the Week on Monday. The 23-year-old record four goals and six points in 3 games for the period ending October 29, 2023. His great week helped the Bakersfield Condors to three straight victories. According to the release; 'he recorded a game-high eight shots on goal and assisted on the winning goal early in the third period of the Condors' 4-1 victory at Tucson' on Friday evening. Lavoie leads Bakersfield in scoring with seven points through five games so far this season. 

Photo - AHL website

Congrats to Raphael and keep it going for the rest of the year. 

Photo - QMJHL website

TEAM OF THE WEEK
Veterans Markus Vidicek and Jordan Dumais were named to the QMJHL's Team of the Week yesterday. Vidicek recorded 4 goals and nine points while recording a +4 in the Mooseheads three games last week. Dumais continued to be hot as he collected 8 more points and was a +7 during the week. 

Vidicek's performance also landed him on the CHL's Team of the Week. 

EHLERS
Halifax Mooseheads alumni Nikolaj Ehlers hit a milestone during the Winnipeg Jets game against the NY Rangers last night. The 27-year-old scored a goal in the match which was his 400th NHL career point. Ehlers has played 532 regular season games recording 178 goals and 222 assists now. Congrats to Nikolaj on the accomplishment. 

CHL TOP 10
On Tuesday, the Canadian Hockey League announced the top 10 rankings and our Mooseheads found themselves in the #1 spot after going 2-1 during the week. You can find the full Top 10 below

1. Halifax Mooseheads (10-4-1-0)   last week: 2
2. Moose Jaw Warriors (10-6-0-0)   last week: 7 
3. Prince George Cougars (10-4-0-0   last week: 4
4. Portland Winterhawks (8-4-0-0)   last week: 1
5. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (8-3-1-3)   last week: 6
6. London Knights (7-4-0-1)   last week: 5

7. Saskatoon Blades (8-5-0-0)   last week: 3

8. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (12-2-2-0)   last week: 10
9. Mississauga Steelheads (10-3-0-0)   last week: 8
10. Moncton Wildcats (11-3-1-0)   last week: n/a

Photo - AMH Photography

ROUSSEAU GOAL
In case you missed it, Halifax net-minder Mathis Rousseau scored the first goalie goal in franchise history on October 20 in a 6-4 victory over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies at home. The goal made it onto TSN's The Best feature the next morning and was shown on Sportsnet Central too I believe. It was a very exciting event and as someone who has missed many of them by our Mooseheads, I was super excited to be in the audience for the historic moment. I loved seeing how happy all the boys were for him and the big smile Mathis had on his face. 

Video of the goal below

THIS WEEK

It should be quite a week in Moose Country as the Mooseheads will play three games at the Scotiabank Centre. Halifax will host the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Wednesday, the Rimouski Oceanic on Friday and the Sherbrooke Phoenix on Saturday. All games are 7pm puck drops. Saturday's match will be the annual Mooseheads Fight Cancer event so the team should be wearing special purple jerseys. 

Herd Word

Photo - Mooseheads website

FURLONG SIGNS

A few days after being named captain of our Halifax Mooseheads, defenceman Jake Furlong signed a 3-year entry level contract with the San Jose Sharks. Despite being sent back by the Sharks and I believe not playing a pre-season game in the NHL, Furlong clearly made enough of an impression for San Jose to sign him on October 5. The 19-year-old was selected in the fifth round, 140th overall in the 2022 NHL draft by the Californian team. 

"I'm super excited and humbled to be signing with the Sharks. It's a dream come true and I'm happy to be able to share this moment with my teammates, coaches and especially my family who helped me get here," Furlong said. 

CHL TOP 10 

The Canadian Hockey League has announced the top 10 rankings for week 2 on Tuesday. Your Mooseheads find themselves #2 after going 3-0-0-0 in the past 7 days. Halifax has the longest active winning streak in the CHL currently at 5 following opening the season with two straight losses. Full top 10 is below

1. Portland Winterhawks (4-1-0-0)   last week: 2
2. Halifax Mooseheads (5-2-0-0)   last week: 6
3. London Knights (3-1-0-1)   last week: 1
4. Saginaw Spirit (2-1-0-0)   last week: 5
5. Moose Jaw Warriors (4-3-0-0)   last week: 4
6. Saskatoon Blades (4-2-0-0)   last week: 9
7. Prince George Cougars (6-2-0-0)   last week: n/a
8. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (3-2-1-2)   last week: 3
9. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (5-1-0-0)   last week: n/a
10. North Bay Battalion (3-1-1-1)   last week: n/a

Photo - QMJHL website

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Veteran goaltender Mathis Rousseau was named the QMJHL's player of the week ending October 9. The 19-year-old started all three games that Halifax had this past week, recording a 1.33 goals against average and a 0.944% save percentage. On Wednesday, Rousseau had a shutout after stopping all 26 shots against the Cape Breton Eagles. 

The Boisbriand, QC native was also named to the team of the week because of the above honour. The Mooseheads had two players on the team of the week ending October 2 in rookie Lou Levesque and Rousseau. Levesque had two goals and 5 points in two games played between September 25 and October 1. Congrats to these guys on being recognized for their play. 

DUMAIS
Last year's leading scorer for the Herd, Jordan Dumais still has not been returned to the team by the Columbus Blue Jackets and some people weren't sure why but with NHL's opening night rosters being submitted on Monday, the reason why has become clearer. Dumais played only one pre-season game for Columbus which was confusing. However, the Jackets announced their 2023-24 roster and the Montreal, QC native was placed on the injured/non-roster list with an upper body injury. It is thought that once he is is cleared to play, Dumais will be assigned to the Mooseheads. 

Hopefully Jordan will heal up quickly and be back to Halifax soon. 

NHL OPENING WEEK

The National Hockey League 2023-24 regular season began on Tuesday with three games and Halifax have 10 alumni on opening night rosters. Below you will find the players who have cracked their respective teams. 

Photo - Flames Twitter

Justin Barron - Montreal Canadiens
Jonathan Drouin - Colorado Avalanche
Nikolaj Ehlers - Winnipeg Jets

Benoit-Olivier Groulx - Anaheim Ducks
Nico Hischier - New Jersey Devils
Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche
Brad Marchand - Boston Bruins
Timo Meier - New Jersey Devils
MacKenzie Weegar - Calgary Flames
Filip Zadina - San Jose Sharks

As you will notice, a couple of guys have a new team this year compared to last season with Jonathan Drouin reuniting with Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado and Filip Zadina looking for a fresh start in San Jose. Jakub Voracek, who has been in the NHL since 2008, was traded to the Arizona Coyotes last year but has not played a game for them yet as he is injured with a concussion. Another note, BO Groulx has decided to change his number to #24 it was announced yesterday by Anaheim. Hopefully, he will stick with the big club this time and not get sent down to the AHL. 

I will have a full list of where alumni are playing later this month once all the leagues have begun playing. 

NAUSS

Congratulations are in order for Morgan Nauss who was given the Captaincy of the Acadia Axemen for this season. The Hammonds Plains native is a 4th year defenceman and had played 63 regular season games with Acadia, recording 8 points in his AUS career before the 2023-24 season began. He will be joined by Nick Deakin-Poot, Peyton Hoyt, Hudson Wilson, Perrick Rippon and Reilly Webb all of whom will serve as alternate captains. 

Photo - Axemen Twitter

"It is an honour to be named Captain of the Acadia Axemen. I plan to lead by example on and off the ice, along with many other leaders we have on our team," Nauss said. 

Herd Word

Photo - CHL website

CHL TOP 10
The Canadian Hockey League announced the pre-season top 10 rankings on Wednesday afternoon and our Halifax Mooseheads were among the teams ranked. 

1. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - QMJHL
2. London Knights - OHL
3. Portland Winterhawks - WHL
4. Saginaw Spirit - OHL
5. Moose Jaw Warriors - WHL
6. Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL
7. Victoriaville Tigres - QMJHL
8. Sudbury Wolves - OHL
9. Saskatoon Blades - WHL 
10. Owen Sound Attack - OHL

MAIN CAMPS
There are plenty of young men on NHL teams main camp rosters that have suited up for the Halifax Mooseheads sometime in their career. Many of the players are Herd alumni but there are a few who are currently on the Mooseheads' opening night roster (bolded).

Below is a list of players
Samuel Asselin - New York Islanders
Justin Barron - Montreal Canadiens 
Elliot Desnoyers - Philadelphia Flyers
Alexandre Doucet - Detroit Red Wings
Jonathan Drouin - Colorado Avalanche
Jordan Dumais - Columbus Blue Jackets
Arnaud Durandeau - New York islanders
Nikolaj Ehlers - Winnipeg Jets
Jake Furlong - San Jose Sharks 
Benoit-Olivier Groulx - Anaheim Ducks
Nico Hischier - New Jersey Devils
Zachary L'Heureux - Nashville Predators
Raphael Lavoie - Edmonton Oilers
Dylan MacKinnon - Nashville Predators
Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche
Brad Marchand - Boston Bruins
Jared McIsaac - Detroit Red Wings
Timo Meier - New Jersey Devils
Xavier Parent - New Jersey Devils
Mathis Rousseau - Arizona Coyotes
Mackenzie Weegar - Calgary Flames
Filip Zadina - San Jose Sharks

Good luck to all the players in their respective training camps especially the ones looking to crack an NHL roster. 

Photo - Bruins website

ALUMNI AS CAPTAINS
Some news came out of Boston yesterday as the Bruins announced former Mooseheads forward Brad Marchand as the franchise's 27th captain ahead of the 2023-24 season. The Halifax, NS native will be playing in his fifteenth season and could pass 1000 games played sometime this year. Marchand is a Stanley Cup winner in 2011 with Boston after being drafted by the team 71st overall in the 2006 NHL draft. The 35-year-old played 26 games with his hometown team during his junior hockey career. Congrats to Brad on being named captain of this historic club. 

He joins a handful of Herd alumni who will wear the C on their jerseys this season. Switzerland native Nico Hischier will be going into his fourth year as the leader of the New Jersey Devils after being given the captaincy on February 20, 2021. Over in Europe, Cameron Critchlow (Manchester Storm), Petr Vrana (HC Ocelari Trinec), Tomas Knotek (HC Slavia Praha), and Jan Stransky (BK Mlada Boleslav) have been given the responsibility of leading their respective teams once again this season. 

HOME OPENER DETAILS
A few details have come out about Friday's home opener along with some changes to game experience. 

The Mooseheads announced the schedule for the pre-game show which is as follows
Doors open: 5:30pm
Warmup: 6:30pm
Pregame show starts: 6:45pm
Retirement ceremony: 7:05pm

Halifax also made changes following an off-season survey including opening doors at 5:30pm this year. Fans can also buy 50/50 tickets online now so you can get them from your seat or at home. In another hope of reducing congestion on the concourse, improvements at the concessions have been made like a new POS system and added "hawkers" in the stands handing out snacks. Read the full article of what changes were made here. Scott MacIntosh also tweeted out that the team have called up four players for the home opener with five at NHL camps. 

CAPTAIN
Once again, general manager Cam Russell and the coaching staff will need to name a new leadership group for the 2023-24 season. At the beginning of the month, I asked on Twitter who you think will be named captain and here are the results. 

Markus Vidicek - 22%
David Moravec - 12%
Jordan Dumais - 57%
Mathieu Cataford - 9%

With three of these young men away at NHL camps, we most likely will not find out who will lead this year's team until possibly October. I suspect we will see Jordan Dumais wear the C. 

Around the CHL ~ volume #2 season edition #14

For the first time since 2019, all three leagues will be doing playoffs and starting at the same time. With the regular season ending across the country in junior hockey over the past weekend, I thought I would share who led each team in the player categories and the division winners. Names below probably won't be a surprise but it is nice to see a Halifax Moosehead on the leader board once again. 

League leaders
Goals - Connor Bedard 71 goals (WHL Regina Pats), Alexandre Doucet 58 goals (QMJHL Halifax Mooseheads), Matthew Maggio 54 goals (OHL Windsor Spitfires)
Assists - Jordan Dumais 86 assists (QMJHL Halifax Mooseheads), Ty Volt 81 assists (OHL Sarnia Sting), Connor Bedard 72 assists (WHL Regina Pats)
Points - Connor Bedard 143 points (WHL Regina Pats), Jordan Dumais 140 points (QMJHL Halifax Mooseheads), Matthew Maggio 111 points (OHL Windsor Spitfires)
Defenceman points - Pavel Mintyukov 88 points (OHL Ottawa 67's), Tristan Luneau 83 points (QMJHL Gatineau Olympiques), Ben Zloty 81 points (WHL Winnipeg ICE)
Rookie points - Alexander Suzdalev 86 points (WHL Regina Pats), Maxim Masse 62 points (QMJHL Chicoutimi Sagueneens), Michael Misa 56 points (OHL Saginaw Spirit)
Goalie wins - Dylan Ernst 38 wins (WHL Kamloops Blazeers), Mathis Rousseau 36 wins (QMJHL Halifax Mooseheads), Dom DiVincentiis 36 wins (OHL North Bay Battalion)
Save percentage - Nathan Darveau 0.929 SAV% (QMJHL Victoriaville Tigres), Thomas Milic 0.928 SAV% (WHL Seattle Thunderbirds), Dom DiVincentiis 0.919 SAV% (OHL North Bay Battalion)
Goals against average - Thomas Milic 2.08 GAA (WHL Seattle Thunderbirds), William Rousseau 2.22 GAA (QMJHL Quebec Remparts), Dom DiVincentiis 2.33 GAA (OHL North Bay Battalion)

Division leaders
WHL - Winnipeg ICE 115 points/57 wins (East division), Seattle Thunderbirds 111 points/54 wins (U.S. division), Kamloops Blazers 103 points/48 wins (B.C. division), Red Deer Rebels 92 points/43 wins (Central division)
OHL - Ottawa 67's 107 points/51 wins (East division), North Bay Battalion 99 points/48 wins (Central division), Windsor Spitfires 94 points/44 wins (West division), London Knights 92 points/45 wins (Midwest division)
QMJHL - Quebec Remparts 109 points/53 wins (East division), Halifax Mooseheads 107 points/50 wins (Maritimes division), Sherbrooke Phoenix 105 points/50 wins (Central division), Gatineau Olympiques 105 points/49 wins (West division)

BMO CHL top ten ~ week 25
1. Gatineau Olympiques {49-12-5-2} week 24 #1
2. Sherbrooke Phoenix {50-13-3-2} week 24 #4
3. Winnipeg ICE {57-10-1-0} week 24 #3
4. Seattle Thunderbirds {54-11-1-2} week 24 #2
5. Quebec Remparts {53-12-1-2} week 24 #6
6. Ottawa 67's {51-12-3-2} week 24 #8
7. Halifax Mooseheads {50-11-4-3} week 24 #5
8. North Bay Battalion {48-17-2-1} week 24 #10
9. Kamloops Blazers {48-13-4-3} week 24 #7
10. Saskatoon Blades {48-15-4-1} week 24 HM
Honorable mentions: Sarnia Sting {41-18-5-4 #9}, Barrie Colts {42-17-6-3 HM}, Prince George Cougars {37-24-6-1 n/a}

Herd Word

With the regular season beginning this week, there is lots of news popping up so I thought I would do another Herd Word. 

CHL TOP 10
The Canadian Hockey League announced the pre-season edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings on Tuesday and our Halifax Mooseheads were among the honourable mention teams on the list. 

According to the website; The climb up the ranks begins this season for the Halifax Mooseheads as the club returns a well-rounded offensive core headlined by newly minted Columbus Blue Jackets draftee Jordan Dumais who was one of only seven QMJHL skaters to reach triple-digit production last season. 

Other honourable mention teams include the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL and the WHL's Portland Winterhawks. 

MACKINNON
It's been a good summer for alumni Nathan MacKinnon who after leading the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup title back on June 26, signed an 8-year contract extension earlier this week. The contract will start in the 2023-24 season and is worth $100.8 million dollars. At an average annual salary of $12.6 million, this will make MacKinnon the highest paid player in the National Hockey League. 

"Nathan is obviously one of the premier players in the NHL so a long-term extension was something we wanted to get done before the season started," said Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland. "He has that rare combination of speed and power with a high compete level that makes him a generational player. We are thrilled he will continue to be a member of this team and this community for many years to come." 

"Denver's the only place I want to be, for sure," MacKinnon recently said in Henderson, Nevada, during a pre-season player media tour. 

MacKinnon has recorded 242 goals and 648 points in 638 career regular season games. The 27-year-old is going into his 10th NHL season and his point total ranks sixth on the franchise's all-time scoring list. 

PREDICTIONS/PREVIEWS
Many believe that the Mooseheads will contend for the Maritimes division title this season and could contend in the playoffs in the spring. 

Chronicle Herald's Willy Palov shared his predictions of how the QMJHL will end come March;

3. Halifax Mooseheads: There's some debate about whether this is Halifax's 'go for it' year or if it's 2023-24. With the depth and balance the Mooseheads have in their lineup, it might end up being both. Zachary L'Heureux, Cam Whynot, Jordan Dumais and Mathieu Cataford are just some of the blue-chip pieces in place for a turn at the top of the cycle that should last a minimum of two years. 

The QMJHL shared their division previews for the 2022-23 season and on Wednesday, it was the Maritimes division's turn. Check out the video below.

Below you'll also find a video from the Canadian Hockey League previewing the QMJHL. 

HERD ON TV
Our Halifax Mooseheads will be in two games that will be apart of the CHL on TSN broadcast this season. The Herd's game against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar on November 3 and their match at the Moncton Wildcats on November 27 are among the fifteen-ish games set to be shown on TSN in the first half of the season. For a full list of matches, click here. 

The CHL also announced their TV Game of the Week broadcast schedule and it includes Halifax's match on October 8 versus the Islanders in Charlottetown. Fans can watch the game via the CHL mobile app and online at watch.chl.ca for free. Full schedule here. 

IMPORTANT DATES

• The date and location for the NHL/CHL Top Prospects game was announced by Regina Pats star and 2023 draft-eligible prospect Connor Bedard the other day. It will be played in Bedard's hometown of Vancouver, BC on January 25, 2023. 
• The QMJHL's holiday trading period will be Sunday, December 18 to Friday, January 6.
• Dates for the 2023 Memorial Cup were also announced and the tournament will be played from May 26 to June 5 in Kelowna. 

Photos - Avalanche Twitter & CHL website

Around the CHL ~ volume #2 season edition #13

Two of the leagues have wrapped up their regular seasons so here are the winners and leaders as of today. With another wave of COVID back in January, the QMJHL postponed quite a bit of their season meaning that they are finishing two weeks later than the OHL and WHL. The 2022 playoffs begin on Thursday for the latter two while our Halifax Mooseheads and the rest of the league will get going in the post-season early May.  GO Moose GO!

League leaders
Goals - Luke Evangelista 55 goals (OHL London Knights), William Dufour 52 goals (QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs), Ben King 52 goals (WHL Red Deer Rebels)
Assists - Lucas Edmonds 79 assists (OHL Kinston Frontenacs), Arshdeep Bains 69 assists (WHL Red Deer Rebels), Riley Kidney 65 assists (QMJHL Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Points - Wyatt Johnston 124 points (OHL Windsor Spitfires), Arshdeep Bains 112 points (WHL Red Deer Rebels), William Dufour 109 points (QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs)
Defenceman points - Olen Zellweger 78 points (WHL Everett Silvertips), Miguel Tourigny 75 points (QMJHL Acadie-Bathurst Titan), Nathan Staios 66 points (OHL Hamilton Bulldogs)
Rookie points - Matthew Savoie 90 points (WHL Winnipeg ICE), David Goyette 73 points (OHL Sudbury Wolves), Jakub Brabenec 58 points (QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders)
Goalie wins - Luke Cavallin 36 wins (OHL Flint Firebirds), Daniel Hauser 34 wins (WHL Winnipeg ICE), Thomas Couture 26 wins (QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs)
Save percentage - Taylor Gauthier 0.928 SAV% (WHL Portland Winterhawks), Marco Constantini 0.917 SAV% (OHL Hamilton Bulldogs), Samuel Richard 0.915 SAV% (QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Goals against average - Daniel Hauser 2.00 GAA (WHL Winnipeg ICE), Marco Costantini 2.32 GAA (OHL Hamilton Bulldogs), Fabio Iacobo 2.40 GAA (QMJHL Quebec Remparts)

Division leaders
WHL - Winnipeg ICE 111 points/53 wins (East division), Edmonton Oil Kings 104 points/50 wins (Central division), Everett Silvertips 100 points/45 wins (U.S. division), Kamloops Blazers 99 points/48 wins (B.C. division)
OHL - Hamilton Bulldogs 107 points/51 wins (East division), Windsor Spitfires 95 points/44 points (West division), North Bay Battalion 93 points/43 points (Central division), London Knights 85 points/39 wins (Midwest division)
QMJHL - Quebec Remparts 94 points/46 wins (East division), Charlottetown Islanders 93 points/43 wins (Maritimes division), Sherbrooke Phoenix 86 points/41 wins (Central division), Gatineau Olympiques 81 points/34 wins (West division)

BMO CHL top ten ~ week 25
1. Hamilton Bulldogs {51-12-3-2} week 24 #1
2. Winnipeg ICE {53-10-3-2} week 24 #2
3. Edmonton Oil Kings {50-14-3-1} week 24 #3
4. Quebec Remparts {46-15-2-0} week 24 #6
5. Saint John Sea Dogs {42-17-1-3} week 24 #9
6. Windsor Spitfires {44-17-4-3} week 24 #4
7. Charlottetown Islanders {43-12-7-0} week 24 #7
8. North Bay Battalion {43-18-3-4} week 24 #8
9. Everett Silvertips {45-13-5-5} week 24 #5
10. Portland Winterhawks {47-16-3-2} week 24 HM
Honorable mentions: Kamloops Blazers {48-17-3-0 #10}, Sherbrooke Phoenix {41-17-2-2 HM}, Red Deer Rebels {45-19-2-2 n/a}


Note: the Gatineau Olympiques have the most extra time losses with 13 so far (11OTL/2SOL) while the Saginaw Spirit have the least with just one overtime loss. Also, despite being the only champions last year with a President Cup, the Victoriaville Tigres finds themselves in jeopardy of not making the playoffs.

Around the CHL ~ volume #2 season edition #12

It's another weird season because of the coronavirus and with all three leagues back in play once again, let's check out who leads in different categories around the CHL. The regular season has been extended, mainly in the QMJHL meaning teams have played anywheres from 30 to 46 games so far. Check back in a couple of months to see who finishes the season on top. GO Moose GO!

League leaders
Goals - Luke Evangelista 34 goals (OHL London Knights), Ben King 34 goals (WHL Red Deer Rebels), William Dufour 28 goals (QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs)
Assists - Wyatt Johnston 47 assists (OHL Windsor Spitfires), Arshdeep Bains 42 assists (WHL Red Deer Rebels), Xavier Simoneau 38 assists (QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders)
Points - Rory Kerins 73 points (OHL Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Kyle Crnkovic 66 points (WHL Saskatoon Blades), William Dufour 58 points (QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs)
Defenceman points - Clay Hanus 44 points (WHL Portland Winterhawks), Brandt Clarke 43 points (OHL Barrie Colts), Jeremie Poirier 36 points (QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs)
Rookie points - Matthew Savoie 55 points (WHL Winnipeg Ice), Jakub Brabenec 35 points (QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders), Ty Nelson 33 points (OHL North Bay Battalion)
Goalie wins - Dyland Garand 24 wins (WHL Kamloops Blazers), Brett Brochu 23 wins (OHL London Knights), Ivan Zhigalov 15 wins (QMJHL Sherbrooke Phoenix)
Save percentage - Taylor Gauthier 0.934 SAV% (WHL Portland Winterhawks), Joe Ranger 0.929 SAV% (OHL Mississauga Steelheads), William Rousseau 0.916 SAV% (QMJHL Quebec Remparts)
Goals against average - Joe Ranger 1.92 GAA (OHL Mississauga Steelheads), Dylan Garand 2.00 GAA (WHL Kamloops Blazers), William Rousseau 2.10 GAA (QMJHL Quebec Remparts)

Division leaders
WHL - Everett Silvertips 70 points/33 wins (U.S. division), Edmonton Oil Kings 67 points/32 wins (Central division), Kamloops Blazers 63 points/31 wins (B.C. division), Winnipeg Ice 61 points/29 wins (East division)
OHL - Mississauga Steelheads 61 points/28 wins (Central division), Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 53 points/24 wins (West division), Hamilton Bulldogs 52 points/24 wins (East division), London Knights 51 points/25 wins (Midwest division)
QMJHL - Charlottetown Islanders 52 points/25 wins (Maritimes division), Quebec Remparts 45 points/22 wins (East division), Sherbrooke Phoenix 45 points/21 wins (Central division), Gatineau Olympiques 41 points/18 wins (West division)

BMO CHL top ten ~ week 15
1. Winnipeg ICE {38-4-2-1} week 14 #1
2. Everett Silvertips {37-7-1-1} week 14 #3
3. Charlottetown Islanders {35-8-1-1} week 14 #4
4. Edmonton Oil Kings {34-10-2-1} week 14 #2
5. Portland Winterhawks {31-11-2-2} week 14 #5
6. Kamloops Blazers {32-11-2-3} week 14 #8
7. Hamilton Bulldogs {30-11-1-4} week 14 HM
8. Sherbrooke Phoenix {29-12-1-3} week 14 #10
9. London Knights {30-13-0-2} week 14 n/a
10. Quebec Remparts {31-12-1-3} week 14 #7
Honorable mentions: Kingston Frontenacs {30-14-2-3 #9}, Mississauga Steelheads {28-16-1-0 #6}, Moose Jaw Warriors {26-14-1-4 n/a}

QMJHL Season Begins Tonight

The 2021-22 QMJHL regular season begins this evening with the defending champion Victoriaville Tigres hosting the Shawinigan Cataractes at 8 p.m. Atlantic time. 

Some news before we get into the previews. 

Last week, the Canadian Hockey League announced that the 2021 CIBC Canada Russia Series will not be played given the ongoing challenges presented by the global pandemic. Details regarding the 2022 event will be announced at a later. This kind of sucks as it would've been nice to see if a couple of Halifax Mooseheads players were invited. We'll have to wait now most likely until December to see if Zachary L'Heureux and Elliot Desnoyers or any other guys will participate in Team Canada's world junior camp.

Three of the four current Mooseheads players that were invited to NHL main camps have been reassigned back to the junior club earlier this week. Bobby Orr and Cameron Whynot were released from the Carolina Hurricanes and Calgary Flames respectively on Saturday meanwhile Zachary L'Heureux got sent down by the Nashville Predators on Monday. From the Herd's preview for the home opener, L'Heureux is currently day-to-day with an upper body injury suffered at Predators camp last week. He is also due to serve the remaining three games of a four-game suspension to start the year after receiving the sentence on April 13th of last season. 

James Swan and Attilio Biasca will be out to start the season after both players suffered hand injuries during training camp and remain on the sideline indefinitely with a mid-to-late October return timeframe. Halifax is hopeful that they will have forwards Jordan Dumais and Vincent Gauthier in the lineup when puck drops tomorrow night after they both received injuries as well. 

Welcome back Moose Country! The Halifax Mooseheads have been permitted by the Nova Scotian government to host games at full capacity once again. Proof of full vaccination will be required meanwhile masks will still be mandatory for the immediate future. Check out the video the team put out to hype up fans. 

Even though our Halifax Mooseheads failed to make the CHL Top 10 pre-season rankings, which were released today, I thought I would share the list anyways. There are four QMJHL teams who got ranked with two of them coming from the Maritimes division. Another Maritime club is in the honourable mentions (London Knights, Charlottetown Islanders, Brandon Wheat Kings). 

Now let's get to the previews from other media personnel.

• Sportsnet has one question for every team in the Quebec league. 
• Junior hockey is finally getting back to normal after the pandemic wiped out the 2020 post-season for all 3 leagues under the CHL and the Ontario Hockey League lost it's entire 2020-21 season. 
• CBC Sports' Rob Pizzo and CHL play-by-play man Victor Findlay try to preview the season below. 
  
  
  
  
• Saltwire's Willy Palov, who has been covering the Halifax Mooseheads for years, has shared his thoughts on how good the Herd will be this year. 
• Most analysts have Halifax finishing the regular season 4th in the Maritimes division including Stephane Leroux from RDS and Palov from Saltwire

Yes it's going to be another different season but I am really excited to get back to cheering for the boys and hopefully it will be much more normal year. With a number of the Mooseheads' leading scorers returning and being a year older, Halifax should have an offensive team and could make some waves in what will be a tough Maritime division. Go Moose Go! See you Saturday Moose Country. 

Photos - QMJHL, Mooseheads & CHL websites

Around the CHL ~ volume #2 season edition #11

With no playoffs to speak of for this season, this post comes a little later than normal. As a way to wrap up 2019-20, I wanted to share who led the three leagues during the season. 

League leaders
Goals - Nick Robertson 55 goals (OHL Peterborough Petes), Adam Beckman 48 goals (WHL Spokane Chiefs), Egor Sokolov 46 goals (QMJHL Cape Breton Eagles)
Assists - Marco Rossi 81 points (OHL Ottawa 67's), Alexis Lafreniere 77 assists (QMJHL Rimouski Oceanic), Eli Zummack 64 assists (WHL Spokane Chiefs) 
Points - Marco Rossi 120 points (OHL Ottawa 67's),  Alexis Lafreniere 112 points (QMJHL Rimouski Oceanic), Adam Beckman 107 points (WHL Spokane Chiefs)
Defenceman points - Noel Hoefenmayer 82 points (OHL Ottawa 67's), Alex Cotton 67 points (WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes), William Villeneuve 58 points (QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs)
Rookie points - Shane Wright 66 points (OHL Kingston Frontenacs), Michal Teply 63 points (WHL Winnipeg ICE), Zachary L'Heureux 53 points (QMJHL Moncton Wildcats)
Goalie wins - Alexis Shank 36 wins (QMJHL Chicoutimi Sagueneens), Dustin Wolf 34 wins (WHL Everett Silvertips), Jacob Ingham 33 wins (OHL Kitchener Rangers)
Save percentage - Dustin Wolf 0.935 SAV% (WHL Everett Silvertips), Kevin Mandolese 0.925 SAV% (QMJHL Cape Breton Eagles), Nico Daws 0.924 SAV% (OHL Guelph Storm)
Goals against average - Dustin Wolf 1.88 GAA (WHL Everett Silvertips), Samuel Hlavaj 2.25 GAA (QMJHL Sherbrooke Phoenix), Brett Brochu 2.40 GAA (OHL London Knights)

Division leaders
WHL - Portland Winterhawks 97 points/45 wins (U.S. division), Edmonton Oil Kings 94 points/42 wins (Central division), Kamloops Blazers 86 points/41 wins (B.C. division), Prince Albert Raiders 82 points/36 wins (East division)
OHL - Ottawa 67's 101 points/50 wins (East division), London Knights 92 points/45 wins (Midwest division), Saginaw Spirit 87 points/41 wins (West division), Sudbury Wolves 70 points/34 wins (Central division)
QMJHL - Sherbrooke Phoenix 106 points/51 wins (Central division), Moncton Wildcats 101 points/50 wins (Maritimes division), Chicoutimi Sagueneens 96 points/45 wins (East division), Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 68 points/32 wins (West division)

BMO CHL top ten ~ week 25
1. Sherbrooke Phoenix {51-8-3-1} week 24 #1
2. Ottawa 67's {50-11-0-1} week 24 #2
3. Moncton Wildcats {50-13-1-0} week 24 #3
4. Portland Winterhawks {45-11-3-4} week 24 #6
5. Everett Silvertips {46-13-3-1} week 24 #4
6. London Knights (45-15-1-1} week 24 #7
7. Chicoutimi Sagueneens {45-12-5-1} week 24 #8
8. Edmonton Oil Kings {42-12-6-4} week 24 #5
9. Saginaw Spirit {41-16-3-2} week 24 #10
10. Spokane Chiefs {41-18-4-1} week 24 HM
Honorable mentions: Kitchener Rangers {40-16-5-2 #9}, Kamloops Blazers {41-18-3-1 n/a}, Cape Breton Eagles {40-20-2-1 n/a}

CHL Announces Pre-season Top 10

With the real games beginning tomorrow night, the Canadian Hockey League released it's pre-season top 10 rankings on Wednesday. Surprisingly, the Memorial Cup champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies did not make the list. Will be interesting to see how often we'll see our Mooseheads ranked this season.

Top 10 Rankings - pre-season
1. London Knights
2. Chicoutimi Saguenéens
3. Saskatoon Blades
4. Ottawa 67's
5. Kamloops Blazers
6. Halifax Mooseheads
7. Saginaw Spirit
8. Edmonton Oil Kings
9. Sherbrooke Phoenix
10. Vancouver Giants

Honourable mentions- Peterborough Petes, Moncton Wildcats, Calgary Hitmen

Around the CHL ~ volume #2 season edition #10

Well it's that time of year again, the regular season is over so here is a recap of the leaders in the Canadian Hockey League. The 2019 playoffs begin in all three leagues later this week so watch here for posts about the post-season. Our Halifax Mooseheads had a strong season and will look to go far in the playoffs after finishing atop the Eastern conference in the QMJHL. GO MOOSE GO!

League leaders
Goals - Justin Brazeau 61 goals (OHL North Bay Battalion), Joachim Blichfeld 53 goals (WHL Portland Winterhawks), Samuel Asselin 48 goals (QMJHL Halifax Mooseheads)
Assists - Peter Abbandonato 82 assists (QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda Huskies), Justin Almeida 78 assists (WHL Moose Jaw Warriors), Morgan Frost 72 points (OHL Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Points - Jason Robertson 117 points (OHL Niagara IceDogs), Joachim Blichfeld 114 points (WHL Portland Winterhawks), Peter Abbandonato 111 points (QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Defenceman points - Mac Hollowell 77 points (OHL Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Josh Brook 75 points (WHL Moose Jaw Warriors), Charle-Edouard D'Astous 66 points (QMJHL Rimouski Oceanic)
Rookie points - Brayden Tracey 81 points (WHL Moose Jaw Warriors), Cole Perfetti 74 points (OHL Saginaw Spirit), Egor Serdyuk 65 points (QMJHL Victoriaville Tigres)
Goalie wins - Dustin Wolf 41 wins (WHL Everett Silvertips), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 38 wins (OHL Sudbury Wolves), Samuel Harvey 35 wins (QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Save percentage - Dustin Wolf 0.936 SAV% (WHL Everett Silvertips), Samuel Harvey 0.926 SAV% (QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda Huskies), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 0.920 SAV% (OHL Sudbury Wolves)
Goals against average - Dustin Wolf 1.69 GAA (WHL Everett Silvertips), Samuel Harvey 2.08 GAA (QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda Huskies), Michael DiPietro 2.40 GAA (OHL Ottawa 67's)

Division leaders
WHL - Prince Albert Raiders 112 points/54 wins (East division), Vancouver Giants 101 points/48 wins (B.C. division), Everett Silvertips 99 points/47 wins (U.S. division), Edmonton Oil Kings 92 points/42 wins (Central division)
OHL - Ottawa 67's 106 points/50 wins (East division), London Knights 99 points/46 wins (Midwest division), Saginaw Spirit 96 points/45 wins (West division), Niagara Ice Dogs 95 points/44 wins (Central division)
QMJHL - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 119 points/59 wins (West division), Drummondville Voltigeurs 107 points/52 wins (Central division), Halifax Mooseheads 102 points/49 wins (Maritimes division), Baie-Comeau Drakkar 102 points/49 wins (East division)

BMO CHL top ten ~ week 26
1. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies {59-8-0-1} week 25 #1
2. Prince Albert Raiders {54-10-2-2} week 25 #2
3. Drummondville Voltigeurs {52-13-2-1} week 25 #3
4. Ottawa 67's {50-12-4-2} week 25 #4
5. London Knights {46-15-6-1} week 25 #5
6. Vancouver Giants {48-15-3-2} week 25 #7
7. Baie-Comeau Drakkar {49-15-2-2} week 25 #6
8. Halifax Mooseheads {49-15-2-2} week 25 #8
9. Everett Silvertips {47-16-2-3} week 25 10
10. Saginaw Spirit {45-17-3-3} week 25 #9
Honorable mentions: Saskatoon Blades {45-15-8-0 n/a}, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds {44-16-7-1 n/a}, Edmonton Oil Kings {42-18-4-4 n/a}, Niagara IceDogs {44-17-7-0 n/a}

Herd Word

Photo - Shawn Davidson

LAVOIE
On the same day he had been cut from the World Junior team, 18 year old Raphael Lavoie found out he would participate in the 2019 Sherwin-Williams Top Prospects game next month. "The 24th annual showcase of the CHL’s top prospects eligible for the NHL Draft will be played on Wednesday January 23, 2019, at the ENMAX Centrium, home of the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels.  The 40 competing players were chosen by NHL clubs and include talent from across the WHL, the Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League." according to the press release. It hasn't been the season most expected Lavoie to have after the Montreal, QC native had 30 goals and 63 points in a full season last year however he still has 34 points in 31 games so far.

Congrats to Raphael, go show those scouts that you deserve to be a top 10 draft pick.

TOP 10
The KIA Canadian Hockey League Top 10 for Week 14 was announced on December 19 and your Halifax Mooseheads found themselves going into the holiday break ranked 7th in the country after a 2-0-0-1 record that week.

Full rankings below
1. Prince Albert Raiders (31-2-0-1)
2. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (28-6-0-1)
3. Ottawa 67's (25-6-3-1)
4. London Knights (23-5-2-1)
5. Everett Silvertips (27-7-1-1)
6. Drummondville Voltigeurs (25-7-1-0)
7. Halifax Mooseheads (24-7-1-1)
8. Vancouver Giants (22-8-2-0)
9. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (23-9-1-1)
10. Niagara IceDogs (20-7-5-0)

Honourable mentions: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (21-8-4-1), Sudbury Wolves (21-9-1-1), Moncton Wildcats (23-10-2-1)

FIRST HALF
Despite injuries and a few games that they really should've won, the Mooseheads finished the first half of the 2018-19 season in a pretty good place. Halifax is on top of the Maritimes division having won 24 of their first 33 games. They are third in QMJHL with an even 50 points. Halifax also has the third best power play so far this season while their penalty killing is the best in the league at 88.7%. Samuel Asselin, who was acquired from the Bathurst Titan after the season began, leads the Herd with 24 goals and 42 points which is good enough for 15th in the Q. Third year goaltender Alex Gravel finds himself in the top 5 of a few categories; save percentage (4th - 0.918), wins (2nd - 18) and shutouts (T-2nd - 2).

Halifax's last match before the break was against the Charlottetown Islanders where the Mooseheads skated to a 6-2 victory on home ice. Jordan Maher scored twice while Gravel made 30 saves.

TEAM OF THE WEEK
For the week ending December 17, 2018 the QMJHL announced the players on it's team of the week and there were two Mooseheads among them.

FUCALE
It was announced earlier this week that former Moose goaltender Zach Fucale had been named to the Canadian Spengler Cup team. The majority of Team Canada for this tournament is made up of players who play overseas now because their options to play pro in North America have dried up. Canada will play 2 preliminary matches against European clubs than head to the medal round. Fucale made 24 saves yesterday to help his team to a 2-1 victory against host HC Davos. Zach was apart of the team that won the gold medal two years ago at this tournament.

Good luck to Zach and Team Canada this week!

Photo - Avs website

MACKINNONWith it being December, attention has turned to the NHL All-Star game that will be held by the San Jose Sharks on Kanuary 27. Over the last couple of weeks, fans have been able to vote who they think should be named the captains of each of the division teams. Well the NHL announced the results of that vote this morning and former Herd star forward Nathan MacKinnon was voted as the C for the Central division. Kid Mack has been playing on what many have called the best line in hockey this season and has recorded 22 goals and 59 points. This will be Nathan's third All-Star appearance in his NHL career. He joins Auston Matthews (Toronto - Atlantic), Connor McDavid (Edmonton - Pacific) and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington - Metropolitan) as the captains.

Herd Word

Photo - Q twitter

GRAVEL
Veteran goaltender Alexis Gravel had a great week and the QMJHL plus CHL have recognized his success this past weekend. Gravel was named the player of the week for the week ending October 15. The 18 year old started in two of the 3 games the Mosoeheads had last week and had a 2-0 record including a 5-0 shutout win on Sunday against Bathurst. He now has a 2.51 goals against average on the season which is good enough for 6th in the league. On Tuesday, the Asbestos, QC native was also named the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Week.

TEAM OF THE WEEK
The QMJHL also announced the team of the week on Monday which included Gravel and defenceman Jared McIsaac. Congrats to both boys. Halifax has had a strong start to the season and with the return of McIsaac, the club seems to have figured out the defense allowed just 2 goals in the last week. Jared played it's first game of the season on Thursday and has a goal and three assists in three games.

CAPTAIN
On Wednesday, the Herd finally announced their leadership group. I'm not sure what took so long but it will be nice to see a C on someone when the team takes on the Moncton Wildcats tonight. Cam Russell, Eric Veilleux and the brass have named veteran Antoine Morand captain for the 2018-19 season. The 19-year-old was traded by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan back in June to Halifax after winning the Memorial Cup with the Titan.

Morand will be joined by Samuel Asselin, Jared McIsaac, Benoit-Olivier Groulx and Joel Bishop who were all named alternate captains and will split duties between road and home games. Asselin has scored quite a bit this season after being acquired a few days into the regular season from Bathurst and is 5th in team scoring. Benoit-Olivier Groulx is just above Samuel in team scoring with 11 points and I'm sure is hoping to have a good season after getting drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in June. Bishop has played just one game so far this year before going down with an injury but it sounds like he will be back in the lineup tonight in Moncton.

Congrats guys.

CANADA RUSSIA SERIES
More news came from the league offices on Wednesday morning as the QMJHL announced its roster for the Canada/Russia series that will be played next month. A total of five current Mooseheads were named to the roster. Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Justin Barron, Raphael Lavoie, Jared McIsaac and Antoine Morand will represent Halifax when Team QMJHL takes on Russia in the final two games on Tuesday November 13 in Sherbrooke, QC and Thursday November 15 in Drummondville, QC. According to the team's press release, this is the second time that McIsaac and Groulx have participated in this event and the third time for Morand after representing Bathurst in 2016 & 2017. For Lavoie and Barron, who both have yet to be drafted into the NHL, it is their first time. This event, which will be held in four other cities before coming to Quebec, is another step on the way to Hockey Canada selecting who will represent the maple leaf at the 2019 World Juniors. Below is the full roster.

Photo - Q website

TOP 10
Your Halifax Mooseheads stayed at number 3 in this week's KIA CHL Top 10 rankings despite a 3-0 record over the last 7 days. The Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL took over first spot, displacing the Baie-Comeau Drakkar who fell to #7.

Week 5 rankings:
1. Prince Albert Raiders {11-1-0-0}   last week: 2
2. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies {9-1-0-0}   last week: 6
3. Halifax Mooseheads {8-2-0-0}   last week: 3
4. Victoria Royals {7-1-0-0}   last week: 4
5. Peterborough Petes {8-2-0-0}   last week: n/a
6. Vancouver Giants {9-1-1-0}   last week: 7
7. Baie Comeau Drakkar {8-2-0-1}   last week: 1
8. Ottawa 67's {8-3-0-0}   last week: n/a
9. Saginaw Spirit {6-2-1-0}   last week: n/a
10. Guelph Storm {6-2-1-0}   last week: 9
Honourable mention: Seattle Thunderbirds {6-1-1-0}, Moncton Wildcats {6-3-1-0}, Mississauga Steelheads {6-2-1-0}