If the Baie Comeau - Drakkar make it back to the Quebec Major Junior League Championship this year, three Newfoundland hockey players will proudly hoist the Gilles - Courteau Trophy over their heads.
Last year, the team fell short of their championship quest to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. This year, the team is gearing up for a second run.
Jabez Seymour
North River’s Jabez Seymour, who was part of the final run last year, said this year’s team has the tools to achieve the same success.
“It was an amazing experience. The intense practices and playing with and against the best players in the QMJHL. I learned a lot, like how to win and lose,” said Seymour. “We’re a contender this year. And we plan to make it to the finals again.”
Seymour, best described as a solid two-way power forward, is in his second year with the team. He played with South Kent School in Connecticut before Baie Comeau-Drakkar drafted him in the first round of the QMJHL entry draft in 2022.
Jean Francois Gregoire, Head Coach of the Baie Comeau—Drakkar, said Seymour is a big physical presence who can play 200 feet every night.
“He brings a lot of size and depth to our game. He’s a young player, only 17 years old, but he's progressing well.”
Seymour said the best part about playing in the QMJHL is being surrounded by fellow Newfoundland teammates with whom he plays occasionally.
“It's pretty amazing. I remember when I was growing up, you didn't hear a whole lot about Newfoundlanders playing in the QMJHL, but each year, it's becoming a more common thing.”
Last year, Seymour also had the chance to play against a Newfoundlander in the QMJHL final. Riley Mercer, younger brother of New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer, is a Drummondville Voltigeurs goaltender.
It was a unique experience playing against a player he grew up admiring.
“When I was young, I watched him practice and in games, so I looked up to him. He then coached me a bit, going up through hockey and during different hockey programs. Now, getting a chance to play against him in this league is pretty special.”
Thomas Chafe
Thomas Chafe is the team's experienced veteran. Chafe grew up in Torbay and is in his fourth year in the Canadian Hockey League. He was drafted and played for two years with the Owen Sound Attack before being traded to Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL last year. Baie Comeau-Drakkar then quickly snatched him up before the start of this season.
Francois-Gregoire said he was looking for a versatile, skilled player who could play on the scoring and checking lines.
“We were looking for depth, and he's the type of player with experience who can fill up spots anywhere in the lineup. He got the tools to jump in any spot in the game and be effective.”
Chafe said he doesn't see many differences between the OHL and the QMJHL but is enjoying his time with Baie Comeau-Drakkar.
“I'd say the two leagues are pretty similar. They have some of the best players in Canada. Baie Comeau - Drakkar is a great team. It’s a great city, with awesome fans and a small rink, so fans get into it, which is helpful being the home team.”
Chafe said his strengths as a player are his skating, intensity, and tenacity for the puck. He also said that, given Baie Comeau's depth, he doesn't mind where he is placed in the lineup as long as he is helping out his team whenever he can.
Part of that is helping out fellow Newfoundlanders like Elliot Wright, a rookie on the team this year. Wright has played an estimated nine games this season, mainly on the fourth checking line, which is typical for a first-year player, especially on a team with a lot of depth like Baie Comeau-Drakkar.
Chafe feels Wright is doing everything right to make a difference on the team.
“I think he's gonna be a great player in this league. He is always doing the extra work on and off the ice. So he's young, but I think he's got a real bright future ahead of himself.”
Seymour also continually offers encouragement to Wright.
“It’s his first year, so he's battling to get in the lineup, but it's gonna come for him. He has to have patience. I was in the same situation last year. It's challenging at times. You get frustrated, but you have to think positively, keep moving forward, keep your head low, and grind, and you'll get there.”
Elliot Wright
Wright played for Bishops College prep school in Sherbrooke, Quebec, before joining Baie Comeau-Drakkar as a training camp invite.
Francois-Gregoire said Wright has a great physical presence, speed, and shot. He said they are developing him, but he has a lot of potential.
Wright said it was a big help to have fellow Newfoundland teammates help him transition to the team.
“It’s been great having guys like Seymour and Chafe here, who have been here before, especially Jabez, who was in the same situation as me last year. They both know what transitioning to a new team and city is like, and they helped me through it.”
He also said that his way of earning more ice time is simply being the type of player they know he can be.
"They favour big, strong physical forwards. I'm confident that I can secure a spot by showcasing my physicality, maintaining a strong forecheck, skating hard, establishing a large presence at the net, and sacrificing for the team."
Wright feels Newfoundland hockey players have a lot to offer CHL teams.
“I feel like growing up, we were overlooked. A lot of scouts never made their way to Newfoundland. We always want to show that we might be smaller than other provinces, but we still have great talent, as shown in our gameplay.”
François-Gregoire, who has coached the Baie Comeau-Drakkar for over six years, including stints with Drummondville, Acadia-Bathurst and Gatineau, was named QMJHL Coach of the Year last year. He said he favours Newfoundland players due to their reputation for having a strong work ethic, coachability, and willingness to sacrifice everything for their teammates.
“If we only drafted players from Quebec, we wouldn't be using all our available territory( NFLD and Maritimes). Expanding our draft pool increases our chances of finding great players."
Chafe, who grew up playing with Wright's older brother, said it's interesting to be teammates with his friend's younger brother, but it's great to have hometown guys who share similar experiences and backgrounds. If there is any advice he can give to young Newfoundland hockey players who dream of reaching the CHL, he said always keep learning and never take your foot off the gas.
“At this level, everyone is a good player. One lesson I've internalized and incorporated into my game is that work ethic always stands out. New amazing players join the league yearly; every team has its stars. What distinguishes players is their work ethic and their willingness to go above and beyond."
Update
Jabez Seymour was later traded to the Charlottetown Islanders after this article was published.
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