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.