Caleb Desnoyers

Last updated
Caleb Desnoyers
Born (2007-04-11) April 11, 2007 (age 18)
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 173 lb (78 kg; 12 st 5 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
QMJHL team Moncton Wildcats
NHL draft 4th overall, 2025
Utah Mammoth

Caleb Desnoyers (born April 11, 2007) is a Canadian junior ice hockey player for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He was selected fourth overall by the Utah Mammoth in the 2025 NHL entry draft.

Contents

Playing career

Desnoyers played for the Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League at 15 years old. During his first season with the team he recorded 23 goals and 30 assists in 42 games. He ranked second in the league in scoring with 53 points. [1]

On June 9, 2023, Desnoyers was drafted first overall by the Moncton Wildcats in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. [2] [3] During the 2023–24 season, in his rookie season, he recorded 20 goals and 36 assists in 60 regular season games. Among rookies, he ranked third in points, power-play assists (18) and face-off efficiency (53.9%). [4] Following the season he was named to the Rookie All-Star Team. [5] He was also named a finalist for the Michel Bergeron Trophy, awarded to the QMJHL's rookie of the year. [6]

On October 22, 2024, Desnoyers was selected to compete in the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge. [7] On November 3, 2024, he scored his first career hat-trick. [8] He finished the week with five goals and three assists in three games and was subsequently named to the QMJHL Team of the Week for the week ending November 5, 2024. [9] [10] The 2024–25 season marked a breakout for Desnoyers, who finished fifth in scoring during the regular season with 84 points in 56 games, helping his team to win the Jean Rougeau Trophy. [11] He was a finalist for the Michel Brière Memorial Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player of the season, [12] and was named a First Team All-Star. [13] As well, he received the Paul Dumont Trophy as the QMJHL personality of the year. [14] In the QMJHL playoffs, the Wildcats embarked on a deep run to the Finals, where they defeated the Rimouski Océanic in six games to claim the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as league champions. In 19 playoff games, Desnoyers had 9 goals and 21 assists, with his 30 points being second in postseason scoring. He received the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs, becoming the first player to do so in their draft-eligible season since Jonathan Drouin in 2013. [15] As QMJHL champions, the Wildcats competed at the 2025 Memorial Cup, losing in the semi-final to the OHL's London Knights. Desnoyers had a goal and an assist in four tournament games. [16]

Following his successful season, Desnoyers received the Michael Bossy Trophy, awarded to the player considered the QMJHL's top prospect for the 2025 NHL entry draft. [17]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2024 Finland

On October 23, 2023, Desnoyers was selected to represent Canada White at the 2023 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. [18] [19] During the tournament he recorded three goals and two assists in eight games and won a gold medal. [20]

On April 16, 2024, Desnoyers was selected to represent Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships. [21] [22] During the tournament he recorded one goal and four assists in five games and won a gold medal. [23] In August 2024, he represented Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. [24] During the tournament he recorded one goal and four assists in five games and won his third gold medal in nine months. [25] [26]

Personal life

Desnoyers' father, David, played major junior ice hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the now-defunct Saint-Hyacinthe Laser. His older brother, Elliot, is a professional ice hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). [27]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2023–24 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 602036562641122
2024–25 Moncton WildcatsQMJHL5635498439199213014
QMJHL totals1165585140652310223216

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2023 Canada White U17 Gold medal icon.svg83254
2024 Canada HG18 Gold medal icon.svg51456
2024 Canada U18 Gold medal icon.svg51458
Junior totals185101518

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
QMJHL
All-Rookie Team 2024 [5]
First All-Star Team 2025 [13]
Paul Dumont Trophy 2025 [14]
Gilles-Courteau Trophy champion2025 [15]
Guy Lafleur Trophy 2025 [15]
Michael Bossy Trophy 2025 [17]

References

  1. Brien, David (March 30, 2023). "2023 QMJHL Draft Under the Microscope: Caleb Desnoyers". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  2. Tidcombe, Matt (June 10, 2023). "Desnoyers selected first overall in QMJHL Draft". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  3. Smith, Brad (June 10, 2023). "Cats select Desnoyers at #1, make more news in Round 1". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  4. Barrett, Kevin Barrett (April 9, 2024). "Wildcats' Desnoyers nominated for QMJHL rookie award". Telegraph-Journal . Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Caleb Desnoyers named to 2023-24 Rookie All-Star Team". Canadian Hockey League. May 7, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  6. "Desnoyers named Michel-Bergeron Trophy finalist". Canadian Hockey League. April 9, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  7. Morreale, Mike G. (October 22, 2024). "22 CHL players selected for 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge". NHL.com . Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  8. "Desnoyers puts on 5-point show in Cats 7-4 win". Canadian Hockey League. November 3, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  9. "Desnoyers named to QMJHL Team of the Week". chl.ca. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  10. Barrett, Kevin Barrett (November 5, 2024). "Around the Q: Caleb Desnoyers shines as Wildcats' star player". Telegraph-Journal . Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  11. Giampietro, Justin (May 15, 2025). "Caleb Desnoyers – 2025 NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profile". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  12. Brien, David (May 21, 2025). "The QMJHL announces finalists for eight more trophies". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  13. 1 2 Brien, David (May 8, 2025). "The QMJHL unveils its 2024-2025 All-Star Teams". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Brien, David (May 9, 2025). "QMJHL announces 2024-25 winners of seven trophies". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 MacLaren, Will (May 19, 2025). "Kings of the jungle; Wildcats ride second period outburst to third league title". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  16. Rainbird, Daniel (May 31, 2025). "London Knights return to Memorial Cup final with 5-2 win over Moncton Wildcats". Globe & Mail . Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  17. 1 2 Brien, David (June 5, 2025). "QMJHL announces winners of eight trophies". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  18. "Canadian rosters named for 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". Hockey Canada. October 23, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  19. Boucher, Jeremy (October 26, 2023). "The Best U17 Players In The World to Face-Off". The Hockey News . Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  20. "Canada White atop podium at 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". Hockey Canada. November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  21. "National Men's Under-18 Team roster named for 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship". Hockey Canada. April 16, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  22. "19 CHLers named to Team Canada's roster for the 2024 IIHF U18, including Wildcats' Desnoyers". Canadian Hockey League. April 17, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  23. "Desnoyers among 25 CHL players to earn U18 Gold". chl.ca. May 7, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  24. Vickers, Aaron (July 30, 2024). "Desnoyers among top 2025 NHL Draft prospects to play for Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup". NHL.com . Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  25. Mullaly, Lauren (August 13, 2024). "Desnoyers earns 3rd gold medal in 9 months at Hlinka Gretzky Cup". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  26. La Rose, Jason (August 4, 2024). "By the numbers: Team Canada and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup". Hockey Canada . Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  27. Lavoie, Eric (April 24, 2023). "Another Gaulois in the Desnoyers family". Hockey Canada . Retrieved October 6, 2024.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Utah Mammoth first round draft pick
2025
Succeeded by
Incumbent