QMJHL Players of the Month | January 2024
- Forward of the Month
Jacob Mathieu – Rimouski Oceanic – 11GP, 12G, 7A, 19Pts
The Rimouski Oceanic plan on making noise as hosts of the 2025 Memorial Cup. But offensively, the party has already started thanks in part to Jacob Mathieu. The 19-year-old winger from St-Odelin, Quebec began 2024 with two goals and an assist against Chicoutimi on January 4 to reach 100 points in his QMJHL career. It would be the first of three multi-goal games and seven multi-point outings during the month for the fourth-year veteran. Held off the scoresheet only once in January, Mathieu also registered an impressive six power play markers during the month, doubling the number he scored all last season.
Mathieu currently sits second on the Oceanic with 44 points in 35 games. Despite being held out of the lineup until late October due to injury, he holds team leads in goals (27) and +/- differential (+12).
Honorable Mention
Maxime Pellerin – Victoriaville Tigres – 11GP, 6G, 14A, 20Pts
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- Defenseman of the Month
Vsevolod Komarov – Drummondville Voltigeurs – 8GP, 2G, 12A, 14Pts
Vsevolod Komarov seems to really enjoy his new surroundings in Drummondville. The feeling is undoubtedly mutual. The Chelyabinsk, Russia native, who turned 20 on January 11, recorded a point in each game during the month, part of an overall nine-game point streak. The third-year veteran went out with a bang to conclude January, posting a goal and two assists against his former Quebec Remparts teammates on the 21st and a goal and three assists versus Gatineau on the 26th. Not to be outdone in his own end, Komarov racked up a +14 rating over the course of the month, keeping the Voltigeurs in a thrilling race for top spot in the Western Conference standings.
A fifth-round selection of the Buffalo Sabres at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Komarov has vaulted to second in the QMJHL defensive scoring race with 43 points in 38 games. This is the second straight month he’s earned Defenseman of the Month honors.
Honorable Mention
Mathis Gauthier – Gatineau Olympiques – 10GP, 3G, 10A, 13Pts
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- Goaltender of the Month
Nicolas Ruccia – Cape Breton Eagles – 3-2-0-1, 1.56 GAA, .943 SV%, 2 SO
Nicolas Ruccia’s rise through the goaltender ranks also reflects his team’s journey up the standings. The 19-year-old from Laval, Quebec allowed three goals or fewer on five occasions in January, with notable victories over Quebec and Chicoutimi coming on the 11th and 18th, respectively. That represented back-to-back shutouts for the fourth-year veteran, who set a new franchise record of over 173 minutes without allowing a goal. Ruccia also posted a save percentage of .935% or better in four starts during the month for an Eagles club holding its own in the Eastern Conference standings.
With almost two months of regular season play remaining, Ruccia has already matched his previous career high with 14 victories. His 2.59 GAA ranks fourth, his .912% save percentage fifth and his five shutouts are good for second among all league netminders.
Honorable Mention
Mathis Rousseau – Halifax Mooseheads – 4-0-2-0, 2.30 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO
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- Rookie of the Month
Zach Pelletier – Gatineau Olympiques – 5-1-1-1, 2.45 GAA, .905 SV%
The Gatineau Olympiques are putting the pieces together for their next great squad. One of the players representing the club’s next wave of talent is Zach Pelletier. The 17-year-old netminder from Mont Laurier, Quebec came into his own once the calendar turned to 2024, picking up a point in each of his last seven starts, including a four-game win streak from the 5th to the 18th. On six occasions, Pelletier allowed three goals or fewer. Over the course of six outings, the talented netminder also maintained a save percentage of .900% or better. On January 18, Pelletier recorded his first career shootout victory in the QMJHL.
Pelletier enters February with a record of 9-14-3-2. A second-round selection of the Olympiques at the 2022 QMJHL Draft, Pelletier posted a sparkling 1.88 GAA in 20 games in Quebec’s U18 AAA ranks last season.
Honorable Mention
Vincent Desjardins – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada – 10GP, 3G, 8A, 11Pts
