Last night, the Drummondville Voltigeurs defeated the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 4-3, to win the QMJHL Gilles-Courteau Trophy. The Voltigeurs, including Philadelphia Flyers prospect Alexis Gendron, will represent the QMJHL at the Memorial Cup.
Gendron wasn’t one of the game’s three stars, but his contributions were requirements en route to Drummondville hoisting the Gilles-Courteau Trophy. On the powerplay, he contributed a secondary assist. In even-strength hockey, Gendron added a primary assist. His efforts helped provide a lead and then extend the lead with an insurance marker.
In 15 postseason games with the Voltigeurs, Gendron tallied 19 points (11G, 8A) on 72 shots, including four power play goals and two game-winners.
Gendron: 2023-2024
During the regular season, Gendron played more games in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms than in the QMJHL with Drummondville. Gendron accumulated seven points (5G, 2A) in 17 games with the Phantoms. Not bad for a first stint in the AHL, but returning to the QMJHL was the best option. He flashed the ability to be a goal scorer and continued to flex that strength during his first run with the Voltigeurs.
His numbers were almost identical to his postseason production during the regular season. In 16 games with Drummondville, Gendron produced 18 points (10G, 8A) on 88 shots, including four powerplay goals and three game-winners.
A seventh-round selection from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Gendron agreed to a 3yr/$2.58mil entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 25th, 2023. Based on his performance in Lehigh Valley and with the Voltigeurs in 2023-2024, he is a prime candidate for a promotion back to the AHL. His entry-level contract, offered by Daniel Brière, is valid through 2025-2026.
2024 Memorial Cup
The 2024 Memorial Cup will be eye-opening for the Flyers farm system as Drummondville, in all probability, will eventually square off against the London Knights, featuring Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey.
Representing the QMJHL, the Voltigeurs swept the Drakkar, 4-0, to advance to the 2024 Memorial Cup. Currently, the Knights are up 3-0 in their series against the Oshawa Generals. The Saginaw Spirit will host the tournament, and like London, the Moose Jaw Warriors are a game away from sweeping the Portland Winterhawks to represent the WHL.
What will happen when two unstoppable forces meet, representing the QMJHL and the OHL? How will Gendron stack up against Bonk and compare to Barkey? Stick around because the 2024 Memorial Cup will get spicy between Philadelphia prospects.
