Canadiens: In Other News… Ducharme Axed, Rocket Fight for Playoffs

Trois Rivieres Lions off to Solid Start in Inaugural Season

Head coach Eric Belanger ad GM Marc Andre Bergeron certainly had their work cut out for them when assembling what would become the Trois Rivieres Lions, the Canadiens first ECHL affiliate since the now defunct Brampton Beast changed affiliates to the Ottawa Senators after the 2017-18 season. The Beast had managed a few solid campaigns behind a potent offense comprised of the likes of David Vallorani, David Pacan, and Brandon Marino, as well as continually solid play from Zach Fucale in goal. In spite of continued roster issues stemming from call-ups to the Laval Rocket, the Lions currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference and second in the North Division with an 18-12-2 record, benefiting from a talented and potent roster comprised of ECHL regulars.

Free agent acquisitions in Olivier Archambault, Alexis D’Aoust, and Shawn St. Amant have picked up where they left off after mostly missing last season due to the Covid-19 pandemic and have continued to establish themselves as top scoring options who can be relied upon night after night. Phillipe Desrosiers has stepped up massively in goal with a 12-3-0 record and 2.77 GAA, and overall the Lions have given the city of Trois Rivieres the hockey team they’ve long been waiting for, and the city has embraced them quickly and passionately. Going forward, it seems as though the sky is the limit for the Lions as they look to build on what has been a largely successful start to their inaugural season.