1958/59 Preseason Preview (Power Rankings)

1- Quebec Reds
The defending Sound Cup champions enter the season with high expectations and a target on their backs. After an impressive championship run last season, Quebec is primed to contend again, boasting one of the most formidable center groups in the league, led by Derek Hauptmann, the 22-year-old phenom who exploded onto the scene last year. With Mathias Tardif and Hank Rodriguez providing substantial depth, the Reds will have no shortage of firepower down the middle. On the wings, Bastian Nachtnebel is coming off a breakout year and will be counted on to drive the offence alongside Jules Henry and Nicolas Béland. The defence remains solid, bolstered by Travis Jacquessonne's continued development, though Edouard Lécuyer's decline is a concern. In goal, William Parker was a difference-maker during the Reds' championship run, and as long as he remains steady, Quebec will be difficult to beat. However, the depth behind him is thin, with Patrick Bell regressing significantly and Omar Kinnard having not seen the ice since getting drafted early in 1956. Quebec's championship window is wide open, and if Hauptmann and Nachtnebel continue to dominate, there's no reason they can't repeat as champions. The biggest challenge? Dealing with the pressure that comes with being the team to beat.

Best Player: C Derek Hauptmann
Best Rookie: C John Chartrand (1-12)

2- Trois-Rivières Tigres
The Tigres enter the season with their eyes firmly set on another championship run. Two seasons removed from their incredible 1956 Sound Cup victory, the Tigres remain one of the ECHO's most formidable teams, boasting one of the league's best defences and a rock-solid goaltender in Emmett O'Leary, who continues to dominate at 28 years old. O'Leary has been the backbone of this franchise since arriving in 1952, and as long as he's in the net, Trois-Rivières will remain a

1958 ECHO Re-signing Phase

Bathurst Phantoms
For the second year in a row, the Phantoms decided not to re-sign anyone whose contract was expiring.

This means key players like goaltender Jean-Luc Giroux, promising young winger Stephen Dawson (for whom they gave up multiple picks 3 years ago), and center James Chartrand will all be heading to free agency, leaving Bathurst with significant gaps to fill.

Cape Breton Islanders
The Islanders made several key moves, first locking in goaltender David Buck on a three-year deal worth $242K per season. They also secured their blue line by re-signing defenseman Doug Willoughby ($99K per year through 1960) and Mathieu Sauriol ($41K per year through 1959).

However, wingers William Woods and Fred Twist, along with defenseman Bjorn Erikson, will not be returning and are set to test the open market.

Charlottetown Monarchs
Charlottetown prioritized their back end, re-signing star defenseman Geoffrey Jeffries to a massive $724K per year deal through 1963. They also locked in goaltender Glen Lloyd on a four-year contract worth $133K annually and extended defenseman Benoit Cote through 1961 at $40K per year.

On the other hand, the Monarchs decided not to retain centers Doug Fournier, Justin Spring, and Tom Hardcastle, as well as winger Steve Wetherell and defenseman Darren McLeish, all of whom will now hit free agency.

Fredericton Stars
Fredericton handed out three new contracts, first re-signing center Cassius Robitaille to a 5-year deal worth 817k annually, then they would hand center William Evans a new 4-year contract worth 156k per season and finally, center Cédric Dupont was brought back for another 3 years at 74k per season.

This does mean that Stanley Fraser, one of the best goaltenders in the ECHO right now, is heading to f

1958 ECHO Draft Preview

As the 1958 ECHO Draft approaches, scouts and executives are locked in final debates over a deep and talented prospect pool. While this year lacks a single dominant superstar, it makes up for it with a variety—elite playmakers, hardworking grinders, and even a few electrifying scorers ready to make an impact at the semi-professional level. At the top of the draft, Blaise Jacquessonne is expected to be a marquee selection. The speedy winger has drawn comparisons to his older brother, Travis, but plays a much different game—flashy, aggressive, and unafraid to take risks. His ability to transition from wing to center only adds to his value. Joining him at the top of the draft board is Noël Parent, a hardworking winger known for his grinder mentality. He may not put up highlight-reel plays, but his determination and loyalty to the game make him a strong bet for teams looking for long-term stability. Meanwhile, Ryan Bennett, a natural center, impressed the scouts with his ability to play in the faceoff circle and his strong defensive awareness, and Tobias Harrison, a proud African-Canadian winger who decided to ditch the OEHL draft for the ECHO instead, remains one of the hardest-working players in the draft class. For teams looking for raw energy and physicality, Warwick Porter is a big-bodied center who loves to throw hits. On defence, Jason Bordeaux and Tyler Gershwin provide different but valuable skill sets—Bordeaux as a selfless, team-oriented blueliner and Gershwin as an all-heart player who inspires his teammates. Between the pipes, Aldélius Asselin is a goalie who thrives under the spotlight. At the same time, Fergus MacClanahan, a bombastic Newfoundlander, is a massive presence in the crease with a strong lateral game. Both will likely be highly sought-after netminders in this year’s draft. For teams in need of pure offensive firepower, [b]G

1958 ECHO Retirements

G Alex Davis
Teams: Quebec Reds (1945-47), Halifax Highlanders (1947-58)
Record: 355-246-9
Sound Cups: 4 (1948, 1950, 1951, 1955)
Awards: GOY (1947-1949, 1951), PMVP (1948)

Davis hangs up his pads after a storied career as the best goaltender the league has ever seen (although Emmett O'Leary is building his case). Beginning with the Quebec Reds before becoming the face of the Halifax Highlanders, Davis was a vital part of four championship-winning teams and captured numerous individual accolades, including multiple Goalie of the Year awards and a Playoff MVP title. Known for his lightning-quick reflexes and ability to shine under pressure, Davis has left an indelible mark on the sport. In retirement, Davis plans to remain in Halifax, where he and his wife, Evelyn, have raised their three children. He looks forward to coaching youth hockey and spending more time outdoors, indulging in his love for fishing and hiking. Davis is also keen to start a goaltending academy, hoping to pass on his expertise to the next generation of netminders.

D Simon St-Pierre
Teams: Montréal Métros (1945-1951), Fredericton Stars (1951-56)
Sound Cups: 1 (1946)
Awards: DPOY (1950, 1951, 1953)

St-Pierre exits the league as one of its most revered defenders, having been the backbone of the Montréal Métros for much of his career before finishing with the Fredericton Stars. A relentless force on the blue line, St-Pierre's hard-nosed style earned him three Defenseman of the Year honours (the only defenseman so far to win it with two different teams) and a Sound Cup victory early in his career. St-Pierre is returning to his family farm outside Quebec City, where he plans to enjoy a quieter life with his wife and their four children. A lifelong outdoorsman, he's excited to get back to hunting and farming. He also intends to stay connected to the game by mentoring young defensemen in

1958 ECHO League Meetings

A General's Exit
In the spring of 1958, the Moncton Generals mourned the passing of their long-time owner, Archibald Cunningham, who died at the age of 87 from complications related to a stroke. The former Canadian Army General had overseen the team since 1932, building it into a proud franchise with a fiercely impulsive style. However, in recent years, Cunningham's health had begun to decline, and his son, Peter Cunningham, had increasingly taken on the reins of day-to-day operations. Peter's vision for the team became evident with the Generals' recent rebrand, a move that marked a new era for the franchise. While the senior Cunningham had been impulsive, Peter has shown a more measured approach, blending his father's legacy with his strategic outlook. The transition has been gradual, with Peter quietly becoming the team's operational leader over the last year or two. Now, as the torch has officially passed, the Generals will look forward to an exciting future under his stewardship.

A Close Call on Physical Play
At the 1958 league meetings, one of the hot topics revolved around a rule proposal intended to curb excessive physicality in the game, particularly in situations like the one involving Martin Rose and Edouard Lefebvre on opening night at the Aréna de Montréal, which had sent shockwaves through the league when Rose delivered a brutal hit to Lefebvre, resulting in a fractured collarbone and the Métros' star player being sidelined for the remainder of the season. In response, the league proposed a new rule to impose stricter penalties for hits that led to injuries—specifically those that targeted the head or upper body. The rule would have mandated an automatic five-minute major penalty and a 10-game suspension for any player found guilty of applying excessive force in such situations. The proposal, however, narrowly failed to pass, with several teams, like Charlottetown and the Mont