We’ve been looking for an original way to start this text, but there’s no other way to say it: Jordan Dumais is unstoppable. That’s all, there is nothing more to add.
The Halifax Mooseheads forward increased his scoring record by seven points, three goals and four assists in three games last weekend, giving him a total of 28 points in 11 games since the Columbus Blue Jackets returned to Nova Scotia.
Every week a spectacular new sequence with No. 11 causes a stir on social media.
This is not surprising, we have to admit. The young Jackets prospect has already demonstrated his offensive talent over the last two seasons.
In his 2021-2022 draft year, he finished the year with 109 points in 68 games. He then dominated the QMJHL last season, producing 140 points, including 54 goals, in 64 games, good for first place in the point standings.
Everything indicates that, unless he gets injured, he will get closer to a hundred again. It is said that he will come close, as he has already missed ten Mooseheads games due to his extended stay in Columbus, where he sustained an injury, and all indications are that he will miss more games during the holiday season will, as it would be surprising if he were not part of Junior Team Canada’s plans. If he manages to secure a place in the team, we calculate that we would miss a total of nine more games.
A first since Giroux?
So he would play 41. Using the good old rule of three, it’s safe to assume that if he keeps up this pace, he’ll finish with 104 points.
If so, he would be the first QMJHL player since a certain Claude Giroux between 2005 and 2008 to score 100 points or more in three consecutive seasons.
“Wow! he says when we mention this possible weapon feat. It’s cool to be in the same conversation with a player like that, but I try not to think about it too much. I just have to focus on playing my style, and “That’s where the points come from. I still have things to work on.”
Speaking of plateauing, he became the leading scorer in Mooseheads history at the end of the week by increasing his point total to 306, ahead of Brent Benedict (303).
We spoke to him last Thursday night before he broke that mark, and he admitted that everyone was busy reminding him, although he tried not to pay too much attention to it.
“Everyone talks to me about records. Every time I arrive at the arena, the fans remind me how many points I am missing from beating him. It’s fun […] and I try not to stress about it too much.”
Team goal
Points, records and individual honors are one thing. For Dumais and the Mooseheads, however, the overall goal is much larger.
After a loss in the QMJHL grand final last year, Halifax is hoping to bounce back this season by getting its hands on the Gilles Courteau Trophy, which it lost to the Quebec Remparts last year.
In addition to Dumais, some veterans from last year’s edition are also back, notably goalkeeper Mathis Rousseau, forwards Mathieu Cataford and Markus Vidicek, and defenders Jake Furlong, David Moravec and Dylan MacKinnon.
“It’s in the back of my mind for all the guys that were there last year. What happened in the final was tough. Luckily we still have a good team ready to win again and everyone agrees.
A passage about the Columbus coach
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Even though he has dominated the QMJHL offensively for three seasons, many continue to doubt Jordan Dumais’ potential to successfully make the transition to the pros. The main character obviously disagrees and his recent stay in Columbus showed him that he was on the right track.
After an excellent camp, an upper-body injury somewhat dampened his momentum and his chances of starting the year with the Blue Jackets, who kept him on the team despite everything to aid his rehabilitation.
There he lived the life of a professional and took part in team meetings and training sessions as if he were a normal player.
“It’s hard to put into words what my experience was like,” he admitted. To have the chance to be together with the professionals again and again [de la] Ice cream to see what they do every day, it’s really cool. You can see that they do all the little things that need to be done and that they are consistent in what they do.”
The Montreal striker therefore tried to be a sponge and absorb as much information as possible while having the chance to live a “professional life”.
“Each player has their own personality and does their business in their own way. Guys like Patrik Laine or Johnny Gaudreau, for example, are still discreet guys. They don’t talk too much and focus on what they need to do.”
On October 20, the Jackets finally sent Dumais back to the Mooseheads and he returned to the QMJHL with the belief that he was another step closer to his goal of one day playing in the NHL.
“I gain more confidence every year,” he says.
A position at the ÉCJ?
It will be another important year for Dumais, who hopes to help the Mooseheads win top honors after their disappointing loss to the Quebec Remparts in last year’s grand final (see other text).
But he should also be offered a golden opportunity to earn a spot with Junior Team Canada during training camp, which is scheduled to begin in a little less than a month, in preparation for the World Juniors, which will be held in Sweden this year.
Dumais attended training camp last year and was one of the last players released.
“It would truly be an honor to be invited to this camp and represent Team Canada.”
“It would really be an honor to be invited there. It would be cool to have the Team Canada jersey. At the end of the day, I try to control the things I control.”
Performance of the week
Mathis Rousseau
DIDIER DEBUS SCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
The Mooseheads goaltender simply shined in his team’s 4-0 win over the Cape Breton Eagles on Sunday night, making 36 saves for his second shutout of the season. Rousseau once again established himself as one of the QMJHL’s best goaltenders at the start of the season. In 15 games this season, he has lost just once while maintaining a 1.79 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage.
The duel to watch
Drummondville @ Rouyn-Noranda
Friday, November 17th, 7 p.m., at Glencore Arena
The Voltigeurs and Huskies are tied atop the QMJHL Eastern Association with 28 points each, but Rouyn-Noranda has played one fewer game.
Number of the week
20
We already have a 20-goal scorer in the QMJHL. Baie-Comeau Drakkar striker Justin Poirier reached the milestone on Sunday by scoring in his team’s win over Val-d’Or Foreurs. The young 17-year-old striker has been on fire recently, scoring 11 of his 20 goals in his last eight duels.