ECHL: Trois-Rivières Lions Get Three Bodies From Laval

Forwards Heading To Trois-Rivières

Riley Kidney

The Montreal Canadiens second-round pick in 2021 is heading down to Trois-Rivières after being a healthy scratch in the first two games of the season for the Laval Rocket. Kidney, 22, has spent the last two seasons with the Rocket, where he’s put up 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 121 games. This is likely a move to get Kindney some more playing time, but it wouldn’t be a shock if he doesn’t stay in Trois-Rivières for an extended period of time.

Prior to going pro, the Halifax, Nova Scotia, native spent four years in the QMJHL. He spent the majority of his junior career with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, where he put up 62 goals and 154 assists for 216 points in 189 games. During the 2021-22 season, he would lead the QMJHL with 70 assists. Kidney would add four goals and 21 assists for 25 points in 17 playoff games with the Titan. He would finish his career with the Gatineau Olympiques, where he had 14 goals and 51 assists for 65 points in 29 games. During the 2023 playoffs with Gatineau, he would put up six goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 13 games.

Joe Dunlap

Dunlap, 25, is entering his first full season of professional hockey after spending five years in the NCAA at Ohio State. In 141 games with the Bukeyes, he had 32 goals and 34 assists for 66 points. Prior to playing in the NCAA, Dunlap spent two seasons in the USHL. During his time with the Central Illinois Flyers and Fargo Force, he would put up 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points in 141 games. The Windham, New Hampshire, native made his professional debut at the end of last season, playing in one game with the Rocket. I would expect Dunlap to spend a decent chunk of the season in Trois-Rivières.

Darick Louis-Jean Joins Lions Blueline

Louis-Jean, 24, will likely spend the entire season with the Lions. The Montreal, Quebec, native is entering his fifth season in the ECHL and began his professional career with the Lions during the 2021-22 season, where he had two assists in 11 games. Since leaving the Lions, Louis-Jean has spent time with the Iowa Heartlanders, Savannah Ghost Pirates, and Norfolk Admirals. In 199 games, he’s put up 15 goals and 58 assists for 73 points. He has four goals and four assists for eight points in 21 Kelly Cup Playoff games. I expect Louis-Jean to fit in nicely for the Lions in the top four.