Whenever a community can brag about one of their own, they do it. In the past, the Quinte region has seen many high level hockey players. Bobby and Dennis Hull, the Crawford family, Andrew Shaw, Matt Cooke, Brad Richardson, and most recently Quinte Red Devils grad Owen Beck, who won the Memorial Cup with the Saginaw Spirit.
This past weekend in Moncton New Brunswick, two teens who now live in Belleville, have added themselves to that list.
Maddox Dagenais, who played for the Quinte Red Devils last season, was selected 1st overall in the 2024 Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Draft. Maddox and his father Pierre are the only father/son duo ever selected 1st overall (Pierre Dagenais – 1995 to Moncton). Pierre Dagenais, a former NHL’er, is a hockey instructor in Belleville.
Maddox Dagenais says the family left Belleville Monday and it was a busy week.
“Tuesday we were at the Videotron Centre (Remparts Arena), for a visit in Quebec. It was awesome. The Friday was a long day. At 8:00 p.m., I just wanted my name to get called. I was so happy.”
He says to be able to celebrate with his family was incredible.
The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (18 hours from Belleville) had the 1st overall pick. The Quebec Remparts traded a player, two 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick to get the 1st selection this year.
Dagenais says it is humbling to see the Remparts put so much on the line to select him. He adds that with Quebec City being much closer to home, people close to him will be able to see him play more often.
“They can see me everyday. If I have a game in Blainville, Drummondville, Sherbrooke, in Quebec (City). If I have trouble they can come to me. I think it’s awesome.”
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The Dagenais family at the QMJHL draft in Moncton
He says it is back to Belleville all summer to get ready for the fall.
“On the ice with Andrew Shaw, my dad, five days a week. I have to work every part of my game to be better than last year.”
Dagenais is a student at L’Envol Catholique, a secondary school in Quebec. He was the OMHA East Player of the Year this past season with the Red Devils.
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Maxim Dubé, who resides in Belleville, at the QMJHL Draft (Photo: Supplied by Dubé family to Quinte News)
Maxim Dube was also taken in the 1st round (12th overall) by the Gatineau Olympiques. Dube also attends L’Envol in Trenton and has lived in Belleville for several years.
He had an incredible season in 2023-24. He skated for the Long Island Gulls in New York AAA, where he amassed 90 points in 68 games. Growing up about 90 minutes from Gatineau (near Pembroke), Dube says it is very special.
“It was great, it was unbelievable. It was an experience, it was like a dream come true, it was a dream since I was three, always wanted to play their (Gatineau) . Just a dream come true.”
He is now back in Belleville and says it will be a very busy off-season.
“Putting in the work, getting bigger, stronger, faster. Just getting ready for camp. Don’t give up, don’t be lazy, always show up on time, be a hard worker. I think from there you’ll make it.”
Maxim Dube being selected by Gatineau with the 12th overall pick Friday (Photo: QMJHL)
