Despite the COVID-19 pandemic keeping hockey rinks closed, it was still a great day for hockey in the community of Temiscaming, Quebec this Saturday.
That’s because a pair of local hockey players were selected in the annual Quebec Major Junior Hockey League annual draft.
Emeric Gaudet, a hulking 6’4” defender who played Midget AAA with the Amos Forestiers last year was selected in the fourth round, 68th overall by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, while Nico Laforge, a skilled forward who played minor midget AAA with the North Bay Trappers, was taken in the 11th round, 190th overall by the St. John Sea Dogs.
“To be drafted in the QMJHL means the world to me. It’s been a dream of mine for so long and it’s a dream come true to see my name called,” Laforge told BayToday’s Chris Dawson.
“To see one of my childhood best friends, Emeric Gaudet, get drafted was a special feeling and I really wish him the best of luck.”
It’s been a long time since this northwestern Quebec town of close to 2,500 on the Ontario/Quebec border has seen two local players wear a major junior jersey at the same time.
“It means a lot in town since we all know Nico and Emeric,” said Francois Harrisson, the general manager of the local junior A hockey team, the Temiscaming Titans which play in the non-sanctioned Greater Metro Junior Hockey League based in Ontario.
“They have played together since their early years of hockey and are now both drafted in Major Junior.”
Harrison says you need to go back to 1970-71 to find the last time two Temiscaming area players wore a major junior jersey in the same season when Richard Lemieux played for the Montreal Jr. Canadiens while Andre Savard dressed for the Quebec Remparts.
Laforge and Gaudet both left their small town to pursue their hockey dreams, but Laforge believes there is something special about growing up and playing hockey in Temiscaming.
“I think the town of Temiscaming is just really passionate about the game of hockey and the coaches here do a great job of letting us figure out things on our own,” said Laforge.
The players from here are a close-knit group. Laforge was disappointed that another Temiscaming product and Trappers teammate Will Perreault was not selected in the QMJHL draft.
“I would also like to mention Will Perreault in that conversation because I really feel like he doesn’t get the credit he deserves,” said Laforge.
“He’s an incredible hockey player and friend.”
See related: Trappers draft hopefuls eager for the OHL Priority Selection
See related: Trio of Trappers go late in the OHL Priority Selection
Scott Huycke has coached Laforge and Perreault for the past few years with the North Bay AAA Trappers. With the selection of Laforge, the minor midget team had four players selected in the OHL and QMJHL drafts combined this spring.
“I am extremely happy for Nico being drafted by Saint John in the QMJHL draft. Nico is a very good player and is mature beyond his years,” said Huycke.
“He was always a leader on his team for the past four years and his teammates could see that his work ethic was second to no one.”
Zachary Lefebvre was the last North Bay AAA Trappers player from Temiscaming to get selected in the QMJHL Draft. He was selected 168th overall in 2017 by the Val-d’Or Foreurs and currently plays for the Hawkesbury Hawks of the CCHL.
“Within the Trappers AAA Association, there has been a lot of Temiscaming, Quebec players over the years and we still have some going through the system currently,” noted Huycke.
But getting drafted by a major junior team, and actually making the team are still two different things. However, Gaudet and Laforge hope their hard work pays off as they both prepare for their first-ever QMJHL training camp and hope to continue to make their hometown of Temiscaming proud.
With files from Chris Dawson
