CHL: Saguenéens' Record-Breaking Goal Spree & Czech Player Impact

Chicoutimi, Quebec – The Saguenéens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) are currently rewriting the offensive record books, leaving opponents and analysts alike stunned by a scoring surge unlike anything seen in decades. Although the Brantford Bulldogs, featuring Czech stars Adam Benák, Adam Jiříček, and Vladimír Dravecký, began the season as a dominant force in junior hockey, the Saguenéens have emerged as serious contenders in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), which encompasses the three top Canadian junior leagues.

The Saguenéens’ recent performance has been nothing short of extraordinary. Over their last five games, they’ve tallied an astonishing 54 goals – an average of 10.8 goals per game, according to Le Journal de Québec. “Honestly, it’s hard to believe,” the publication wrote. “In today’s hockey, this is a completely crazy performance,” added Le Soleil.

This offensive explosion represents the best five-game scoring stretch in the QMJHL in 47 years. The previous high was set by the now-defunct Trois-Rivières Draveurs. The all-time record remains the Sorel Éperviers’ incredible 75 goals in a five-game span during the 1973-74 season. The Saguenéens are rapidly approaching that benchmark.

The Saguenéens’ recent results – 13-1, 10-3, 7-0, 14-2, and 10-0 – underscore the sheer dominance of their attack. What’s particularly noteworthy is that this isn’t a case of simply padding stats against weaker opponents. The Saguenéens’ 13-1 victory, for example, came against Drummondville, a team consistently ranked among the league’s best.

That game, unfortunately for the Drummondville Voltigeurs, saw Czech goaltender Jan Láryš endure a particularly tricky night. The 18-year-old, a Poruba native hoping to be selected in the upcoming NHL draft, allowed all 13 goals while facing 60 shots, posting a save percentage of approximately 78 percent. Láryš is eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and scouts are undoubtedly taking note of his situation.

Leading the charge for the Saguenéens has been forward Maxim Massé. He’s registered 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) over the last five games, propelling him to the top of the league’s scoring charts with 94 points overall. “Maxim has developed particularly consistent performances,” said Saguenéens head coach Yanick Jean. “He used to have good performances only in short intervals, now they are longer.”

Jean believes Massé is rapidly maturing into a player ready for professional hockey. “He has understood what he needs to do earlier than many others,” the coach added. Massé is planning to play university hockey next season, with a potential future in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him in the third round of a previous draft.

For now, Massé’s focus is on helping the Saguenéens secure their first QMJHL title in 33 years. Given their current form and position atop the league standings, that goal appears well within reach. If successful, the Saguenéens will compete against the champions of the other CHL leagues – the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL) – for the Memorial Cup, the championship trophy for Canadian junior hockey.

The OHL, where Adam Jiříček currently plays for the Brantford Bulldogs, remains competitive. Jiříček, drafted 16th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the club on July 2, 2024. He was assigned to the Bulldogs for the remainder of the 2024-25 OHL season on October 29, 2024, reuniting him with fellow Czech defenseman Tomáš Hamara.

Jiříček, a 6-foot-2, 176-pound defenseman, suffered a season-ending knee injury during international competition in December of the 2023-24 season, which tempered expectations leading up to the draft. Despite the injury, his talent and potential were evident enough for the Blues to select him in the first round. Elite Prospects describes Jiříček as a “mobile defenseman” with excellent vision and passing ability.

The Bulldogs, along with Benák and Dravecký, started the season strongly, but have faced increased competition as the year has progressed. The Saguenéens’ surge in the QMJHL highlights the depth of talent within the CHL and the unpredictable nature of junior hockey.

The QMJHL’s offensive landscape has dramatically shifted, and the Saguenéens’ remarkable run is a testament to their offensive firepower and team chemistry. Their pursuit of the Memorial Cup promises an exciting finish to the season, and their performance is captivating hockey fans across Canada.

What’s Next: The Saguenéens continue their regular season schedule with a game against the Halifax Mooseheads on March 15th. The Brantford Bulldogs will face the Ottawa 67’s on March 14th. Both teams are vying for playoff positioning as the regular season draws to a close.

What are your thoughts on the Saguenéens’ incredible run? Share your predictions for the Memorial Cup in the comments below!