Son of former Canadien player, Maddox Dagenais aims for first round and overcomes criticism of inconsistency
The city of Buffalo will be the stage for the next National Hockey League (NHL) draft, where a remarkable coincidence marks the prospect lists: twelve of the young talents are children of former league players. This phenomenon highlights the strong family tradition present in professional hockey, where the sporting legacy often spans generations.
Among these names, Caleb Malhotra stands out, considered a strong candidate to be among the first six choices of the event. Caleb follows in the footsteps of his father, Manny Malhotra, a renowned former defensive center who ended his career wearing a Canadiens jersey.
In a statement made on the eve of the 2026 NHL Draft, during media day, Caleb Malhotra revealed the expectations that come with it. “There is a projection about the type of athlete I will be, influenced by the legacy that my father built. Good defensive performance, proficiency in faceoffs and leadership are expected from me”, explained the young player.
However, the scenario also includes Maddox Dagenais, whose trajectory is shaped differently. Son of Pierre Dagenais, another former Canadiens athlete, Maddox arrives in Buffalo hailed by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau as the top prospect in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). His physical profile, of a 1.93 meter and 89 kilos forward, combined with the 30 goals and 62 points scored at the age of 17 in junior hockey, makes him a figure of great interest.
The similarity between father and son is not restricted to the surname. Pierre Dagenais, at 1.90 meters tall, also had a robust and impressive physique. His time in the QMJHL, where he accumulated 150 goals in just three seasons, attests to his remarkable ability in the offensive sector.
However, the trajectory in professional sport is intrinsically complex. Pierre Dagenais’ offensive talent did not shield him from facing a peculiar situation during his own draft. Similarly, Maddox understands that, even with his evident qualities, observers have certain reservations about him, with consistency being one of the main concerns.
Sitting at a table in a hotel restaurant, 24 hours before the long-awaited draft, Maddox Dagenais confessed to having heard that word several times. “I have dedicated myself intensely, and I have noticed a significant improvement in my performance since Christmas,” said the young man.
Maddox Dagenais Expresses Annoyance With Criticism About His Consistency
The same criticism was reiterated by an NHL scout, who preferred to remain anonymous when consulted by a press vehicle. He noted that “there are matches where his presence on the field is less notable”, however, he expressed conviction in the young man’s motivation to improve.
The same recruiter added, stating that “Maddox, on some occasions, shows an excessive impetus in the attack, but he is fully aware of this and shows a strong desire to correct it. I am sure that this issue will not represent an obstacle in six, seven or eight years. His work standards are considered exemplary.”
Maddox Dagenais’ development path will continue in the QMJHL, where he will dedicate himself to honing his skills in Quebec City. With new regulations in place, top talent in the QMJHL are receiving intense offers from the NCAA. Dagenais is no exception, having turned down a six-figure offer from Penn State University, as Le Soleil reported last spring.
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The athlete’s agent, Andrew Maloney, declined to elaborate on Penn State’s specific proposal, but confirmed that “several college programs have already made offers to him. Athletes with Maddox’s talent level have a wide range of choices available.”
However, Dagenais chose to remain linked mainly to Remparts, the team where he played for the last two seasons.
“Refleti profundamente sobre essa escolha”, assegurou o jogador. “Quebec City holds a unique place in my heart. My experience on the ice has been very positive, and head coach Éric Veilleux will guide me in improving my defensive play and in various situations, including the power play. My goal is to master these fundamentals before advancing to a higher level. Achieving dominance in this league will also strengthen my self-confidence.”
The athlete also benefits from the constant support of his father, Pierre Dagenais, who plays an active role in his career. Pierre works as a specialized coach at the Maloney & Thompson agency, and the Dagenais family even moved to Charlesbourg, demonstrating full support for their son’s trajectory in the youth categories.
“Our stay here extends until the moment I stop being part of Rempart”, explained Maddox Dagenais. “It was great having them around this year. After an unsatisfactory game, they are always there to encourage us.”
“My dad is like a best friend to me,” Maddox Dagenais revealed. “He respects the role of my coach, but a few days a week we analyze videos of my matches. His focus is on me evolving both as an individual and as an athlete.”
The big question now is what will be the fate of Maddox Dagenais in the draft. The main rankings place him in the second half of the first round. During the prospect evaluation session, also held in Buffalo, the young man revealed that he had spoken to representatives from 25 NHL teams.
This week, the Ottawa Senators, holders of picks 25 and 32, contacted Dagenais again via video conference. The Senators’ scouting team features Christian DeBlois, whose father, Lucien, “recruited my dad in Moncton,” Maddox recalled with amusement, highlighting a peculiar family connection.
Either way, Maddox Dagenais could become the first QMJHL player to be selected in the draft unless other talents like Xavier Villeneuve, Tommy Blyel or Yegor Shilov are chosen before him.
“The rankings are interesting, but ultimately the final decision rests with the teams,” said Maddox, concluding his speech. “I’m not in competition with other players from Quebec; my competition is with myself. If another athlete from the region is drafted before me, I will be genuinely pleased for him,” he said before joining his family for the rest of the night.
Pierre Dagenais’ Unusual Draft Experience and Lou Lamoriello’s Lesson
It’s unusual for a player to be selected twice in a draft, and even more suspicious for it to happen by the same team. Essa foi a experiência vivida por Pierre Dagenais, que teve sua primeira seleção na 47ª posição geral pelo New Jersey Devils em 1996. Dois anos depois, ainda sem contrato, ele se tornou elegível novamente para o processo de seleção, visto que os Devils haviam perdido seus direitos sobre ele. However, the New Jersey Devils themselves picked him again, this time 105th overall. The reason behind this peculiar occurrence lay in the hope of Dagenais, who with a record of 66 goals and 67 assists, totaling 133 points, believed that by being eligible again, he could be selected in the first round by another team, guaranteeing a more advantageous contract. Additionally, the Colorado Avalanche, with four first-round picks, was led by Pierre Lacroix, a former partner of his agent, Bob Sauvé. “I heard people say I had a good chance of being picked in the first round,” recalls Dagenais. “But on the day of the draft, Lou came to me and declared, ‘You’re not going to be picked in the first round, you’re going to be picked in the fourth round,’ and exactly that happened. He wanted to set an example to discourage other players from re-entering the draft. I became that example for others.” Almost three decades later, Dagenais takes full responsibility for the situation: “I should never have acted like that, it was a mistake! This experience taught me a lot”, he admits. “I have deep respect for Lou; it was a valuable life lesson for me. My son will certainly not repeat the same mistake!” Maddox, although he doesn’t know all the details of his father’s story, knows enough to joke: “My plan is to only get drafted once!”
