Flames prospect Matvei Gridin named finalist for QMJHL’s offensive rookie of year award

One of the Calgary Flames’ top prospects has been named a finalist for a major award. On Thursday, the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League announced several finalists for their league awards.

Among the players announced as up for awards was Shawinigan Cataractes forward Matvei Gridin, a Flames’ first-round selection in 2024, one of the three contenders for the QMJHL’s Michel Bergeron Trophy as the league’s top offensive rookie.

The other two finalists are Sherbrooke Phoenix forward Thomas Rousseau and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forward Ben Steiner.

Gridin was selected by the Flames in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft, using a selection acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm trade. Originally drafted out of the United States Hockey League, he moved to the QMJHL via the CHL’s Import Draft (and a subsequent trade of his junior rights prior to the start of the regular season).

Here’s what the league’s press release noted about Gridin’s season:

In his 18-year-old season, Gridin led QMJHL rookies in virtually every offensive stat, including points (79), goals (36), assists (43), plus/minus (+31), shots (236), game-winning goals (5), power-play assists (15) and shorthanded goals (4). He finished tied for first in Shawinigan team scoring with Félix Lacerte, who played six more games than him, and 12^th overall in the QMJHL. A first-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2024, Gridin was drafted first overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft by the Val-d’Or Foreurs, before being traded to Shawinigan.

Steiner was second in rookie scoring with 23 goals and 60 points through 57 games. Rousseau was third with 17 goals and 40 points through 58 games. Gridin played one fewer game than Steiner and two fewer than Rousseau, but led them pretty substantially in goals and points. We have little insight into the criteria used to determine the winner, but if it’s significantly based on the scoring race, Gridin stands a good chance of winning.

The Michel Bergeron Trophy was first awarded in 1969-70 to honour the QMJHL’s rookie of the year. The award was split into offensive and defensive trophies in 1980-81. Chicoutimi’s Emile Guite won the award last season. In the past, several players won the trophy that went on to become notable NHL players. Among them are Alexis Lafreniere (2017-18), Nico Hischier (2016-17), Nikolaj Ehlers (2013-14) and Sidney Crosby (2003-04).

The QMJHL award-winners will be announced on June 5, prior to the QMJHL Entry Draft.