Maxim Massé, a 20‑year‑old forward from Chicoutimi, Quebec, has been named the David Branch Player of the Year, the award that recognizes the top competitor in Canadian junior hockey. The distinction places him at the pinnacle of a season that combined offensive firepower with international triumph.
Massé’s trophy cabinet already includes the Jean Believeau Trophy for top scoring in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and the Michel Brière Trophy as the QMJHL’s MVP. He led the CHL with 51 goals and 51 assists, joining an exclusive group of players who have reached the 50‑goal and 100‑point milestones in a single campaign.
His performance helped the Chicoutimi Saguenéens capture the Gilles‑Courteau Trophy and secure a spot in the Memorial Cup. Massé is only the second player from Chicoutimi to earn CHL Player of the Year honors, the first since Pierre‑Marc Bouchard in 2002, a milestone that underscores the rarity of his achievement.
International accolades and a promising future
Beyond domestic success, Massé contributed to Canada’s gold‑medal victories at the Under‑18 World Junior Championships and the Gretzky‑Hlinka Cup. He also captured the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL’s best professional prospect and was previously honored as the league’s top rookie in 2022‑23. The following season, he will test his talents at the University of Massachusetts, marking a rare transition from the CHL directly to the NCAA.
Massé’s trajectory mirrors that of other elite prospects such as Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Alexis Lafrenière, Gavin McKenna and Alex DeBrincat, all of whom amassed both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year accolades before reaching the NHL. Unlike most of those players, who entered major‑junior programs directly from high school, Massé’s path will take him through college hockey, a route that has only recently become viable for top CHL talents.
The Anaheim Ducks selected Massé in the third round of the 2023 draft, a testament to his rising stock. As he prepares for his collegiate debut, the hockey world watches closely, anticipating how his blend of skill, work ethic and international experience will translate to the next level of competition.