(Moncton, NB) -- The Quebec Remparts moved up in the draft to select forward Maddox Dagenais (Blainville, QC) with the first overall selection in the QMJHL Draft.
The 2024 selection session began on a good note for the Remparts, as General Manager Simon Gagné made a major transaction to get his hands on the very first choice of the evening.
The Cape Breton Eagles sent their 1st round pick - 4th overall (CHA) in 2024 to the Remparts and gave up a 2nd round pick (DRU) in 2025, a 1st pick round (QUE) in 2026 and goaltender Louca Connolly - 10th overall pick (184th) from Quebec in 2023.
The Remparts therefore selected forward Maddox Dagenais, listed first by the QMJHL Recruitment Center. This is the first time in the team's history since its return in 1997 that the Remparts have selected a player first in the draft. Sylvain Côté, originally from Quebec, was the last player to be selected first by the first generation Remparts in 1982.
Aged 16, Dagenais, a 6'3, 181 pound forward, played this year with the Quinte U16 AAA Red Devils of the OMHA (Ontario Minor Hockey Association). In 35 games, he scored 42 goals and obtained 39 assists for 81 points, in addition to winning the player of the year title in the OMHA, ETA division.
His father Pierre, 1st choice in the 1995 QMJHL selection session of the Moncton Alpines, played in the QMJHL for three seasons with Moncton, Laval and Rouyn-Noranda and continued his career among the professionals (NHL and AHL) for seven seasons with the New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens organizations. He completed his career in Europe for five seasons (Finland, Austria, Russia and Norway).
“For several months, Maddox Dagenais had expressed his desire to maintain his eligibility to play for the United States. We met with him and his family to present to them what our organization can offer in terms of environment and support to our players and it was up to him to make the decision,” first mentioned the team’s general manager. Simon Gagne. “He took the time to evaluate all his options and after reflection, he decided to make the jump to the QMJHL and join the team from the next training camp,” concluded Simon Gagné.
“It is with great enthusiasm that I join the Quebec Remparts,” declared the very first choice of the 2024 selection session, Maddox Dagenais. “During our meeting with the leaders of the Remparts, I really appreciated what I saw and the discussions we had. I then took the time to think carefully to come to the conclusion that the option offered to me was the right one for the pursuit of my career,” continued Dagenais.
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