Maddox Dagenais
2025-26 Team: Québec Remparts (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: Mar. 27, 2008
Place of Birth: Montreal, QC, CAN
Ht: 6-foot-4 Wt: 196 pounds
Shoots: L
Position: C
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible
Rankings
Selected first overall in the 2024 Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League, Maddox Dagenais is built to wreak havoc offensively any chance he can get. After a decent showing as a rookie with 26 points in 43 games, Dagenais’ production increased to 62 points in 62 games this season.
He had a slow start to his draft season, but the production started to pop off as the season progressed. He had 25 points in the first four months, but the points were coming more consistently as he had 37 points in the second half of the season. On top of averaging a point per game from January to March, he also had a decent faceoff percentage, winning 51.3% of his draws. That alone shows the potential that Dagenais has with his power forward game.
Whenever Dagenais steps on the ice, he instantly becomes a bull in a china shop with his strong competitive drive and energy. He quickly attacks with his speed and agility as he moves extremely well for his frame, getting in on the attack quickly, challenging defenders head on and pushing his way to the open ice. He’s physical and isn’t afraid to show making some big-time hits and show his dominance. He can quickly control the pace of shift as he can slow the play down and then regain that advantage on his opponents with his quick first few steps. He uses his size to his advantage well down low and along the boards to win battles.
Offensively, Dagenais has shown that he can be a playmaker, but it’s his goal scoring and shot that are trademarks to his game. He has an insane and swift release and has the accuracy to pick corners easily. He does a great job of getting to the shooting lanes for those prime scoring chances and has a heavy one-timer shot as well. His shoot first mentality is what makes him lethal, and although the volume of his shots are high (273, fourth overall in the QMJHL), the selection can be inconsistent and needs to be better. Although his overall skillset is average, he’s impactful.
Related: THW’s 2026 NHL Draft Guide
Dagenais’ defensive game does has have some potential as his speed allows him to shadow attackers and pressure them whenever he can. He can anticipate plays well and makes timely stick checks to knock pucks loose. The consistency can wane from time to time but he can have just as much of an impact without the puck as well.
Other THW Draft Profiles
Maddox Dagenais- NHL Draft Projection
Dagenais’ second half has really pushed him towards the end of the first-round conversation. A player of his caliber with his shot and speed would instantly force a team to take a chance on him as he could be a valuable selection in the 25- 32 spot. Some rankings have him have within that range already, but at worst he could be a mid-second round selection. He has a lot of potential in his game and his play as of late has helped improve his draft stock.
Quotables
“Where Dagenais improved the most this year is his speed management. He understands better when to use his speed or when to slow down the play. Dagenais loves to use his speed and puck handling to move the puck from one end to the other. He is a solid puck carrier in transition and it creates plenty of scoring chances on the rush for him and his teammates.” – Jer Tremblay, McKeen’s Hockey
“He is a ferocious, ball of energy with a hard shot and strong puck skills. With that, he sacrifices a focus on positioning for an all-out drive, every single shift. He tilts towards the net and has the frame to gain space from the crease to the high-slot.” – Gabe Foley, Recruit Scouting
“He’s on the rise overall. Dagenais is a two-way centre who is mostly deployed at even strength and the power play, but has the commitment to be used in a checking role if asked.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
Strengths
- Strong competitive drive and work ethic
- Great speed and agility for his size
- Physical presence in tough areas
- Uses size to advantage in board battles
- Strong and powerful shot
Under Construction- Improvements to Make
- Rounding out game to be more versatile
- Needs to attack middle more consistently
- Shot selection can improve
NHL Potential
Dagenais’ game will surely make him an impactful middle six player for any NHL team, as they value big, skilled and fast centres. He has all three of those traits to be successful. A safe bet for him would be a third line centre that can provide some decent secondary scoring, but if he continues to elevate his game like he has and improve away from the puck, his ceiling can grow. His lethal shot can do damage at even strength and will make any power-play dangerous.
Risk- Reward Analysis
Risk- 2.5/5, Reward 3.5/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense- 6.5/10, Defense 6/10
Awards/ Achievements
Dagenias won the OMHA player of the year award in 2023-24 and won a silver medal at the 2024-25 U17 World Hockey Challenge. He represented the CHL at the Prospects Challenge against the USA NTDP.
Interviews/ Links
Maddox Dagenais Stats
Videos
