Duo named Paul-Dumont Trophy finalists
Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic and Dawson Mercer of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, both eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft, have been named finalists for the Paul-Dumont Trophy as QMJHL Personality of the Year, the league announced Thursday.
The award, named after former league executive director and president Paul Dumont, recognizes individuals who had a positive media impact and helped improve the league’s image throughout the season.
Lafreniere, the consensus top pick for the 2020 draft, led the QMJHL in scoring with 112 points (35 goals, 77 assists) in 52 games for a points-per-game average of 2.15. The 18-year-old, who was named Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year last season, also helped Canada to gold at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in January. He topped Future Considerations’ Spring ranking for the 2020 draft.
Mercer, ranked 12th, had 60 points (24 goals, 36 points) in 42 games between the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Sagueneens. He, like Lafreniere, also helped Canada to gold at the World Juniors after earning an invitation to represent the QMJHL in the Canada Russia Series.
Mercer and Lafreniere were each named finalists, along with fellow 2020 eligible Hendrix Lapierre, for the Michael-Bossy Trophy, awarded to the league’s top professional prospects, on March 31.
Also nominated for the Paul-Dumont Trophy is Matthew Welsh of the Charlottetown Islanders.
Past recipients include well-known personalities such as Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Drouin, Brad Richards and Michel Therrien.