EDMUNDSTON, Nouveau-Brunswick – The Edmundston Blizzard have completed one of the most important transactions in their history, acquiring forward Jérémy D’Astous, defenseman Raphaël Denis and the second and fifth round picks in the 2025 draft from the Grand Falls Rapids, in return for forward Nathan Plamondon, defenseman Aiden McCullough and future considerations.
A native of Saint-Eugène-de-Ladrière, Québec, D’Astous currently ranks fifth in the MHL in scoring with 16 goals and 35 assists for 51 points in 27 games. His points-per-game percentage (1.89) is the highest of any player in the league.
The 20-year-old forward played the last two seasons in the QMJHL. With the Shawinigan Cataractes, he tallied 19 points (5g, 14a) in 50 games in 2022-2023. Last year, with Shawinigan and the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, he combined for 23 points (8g, 15a) in 43 games.
As for Denis, he’s by far the top scorer of all MHL rearguards. In his second campaign with the Rapids, he has racked up 35 points (8g, 27a) in 26 games. He was named the league’s defenseman of the month for December.
A native of McMasterville, Québec, the 20-year-old defenseman had an excellent season with the Rapids in 2023-2024, collecting 26 points (6g, 20a) in 47 contests.
As a result, the Blizzard are losing 19-year-old forward Nathan Plamondon, from Québec City, who scored 12 goals and 10 assists in 34 games. Plamondon was the Blizzard’s fifth-highest goal scorer. As for Aiden McCullough, 17, from Paradise, Newfoundland, he took part in 19 games with the Cape Breton Eagles in the QMJHL this season, collecting one assist.
Blizzard management welcomes Jérémy D’Astous and Raphaël Denis, and thanks Nathan Plamondon for his precious services this season.
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Photos
Raphaël Denis, Jérémy D’Astous and Nathan Plamondon. Photos by Bryan Coté and Percy Picard
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Source: Hugues Chiasson, responsable des communications – Le Blizzard d’Edmundston; 506 740-0623 – (tél. cell.)