The Rapids ended their 2024-2025 campaignby playing two games on the road. Despite being defeated on both occasions, it was an interesting end to a season that saw many ups and downs but remain still very promising. Only five players are not eligible to return next season and the team hopes everyone will be back for a playoff run.
With 41 points in the standings, the Rapids post their second-best showing since the 2022-2023 season where the team finished with 44 points. Their number of wins (16) is the second most since their arrival in Grand Falls.
It’s the way the team played over the past month that is an encouraging sign for the organization. Since February, the Rapids had a record of 6 victories, 2 losses and 2 extra time defeats for a total of 14 points. It was the best stretch of the season without a doubt by a squad who relied mostly on their defensive play and superb goaltending to win some close games.
It is now time to reset and look ahead to the new campaign. The MHL draft will be held in Grand Falls this summer with hopes of doing well with its selections. Some changes may occur down the road, but the core of the team has proven to be the right one if everybody returns for another opportunity to battle for a playoff spot.
As for head coach Greg Leland, he is very optimistic about the future and gives his reflections on this past season:
“Our season was actually two in one. With 8 players on our roster moving out, combined with 6 coming in, it created a situation that felt like we had two training camps”, mentions Leland.
“The trades that we did make, were made with an eye on the present as well as looking to improve our team in the future. Those trades are not completed as we will be receiving two very good players at the draft as well as some promising prospects acquired in those transactions.
While we moved out some of our major offensive contributors (D’Astous, Denis, and MacDonald) we were able to add considerable strength to our back end with the additions of Topilnyckyj, Allard, and Slivca. Those players, along with Mederic Allard and Nathan Plamondon, have provided us with skill and depth moving forward.
Leland also points out how strong his team played solid defense down the stretch.
“Even with the loss of those highly offensive players, we feel our team was much better defensively and thus we saw the benefits of that once our new players got integrated into our lineup and made the adjustments of playing on a new team.
The way we played and the corresponding results shown in the last month of the seasondemonstrated that we are on the path of making strides in terms of making our group a playoff contender in the future.
With 7 forwards 18 or under playing significant minutes, 4 returning D and two strong goaltenders, along with the above-mentioned assets on the horizon, we are certainly optimistic about the future”.
On a final note, the Rapids’ team banquet was held last Saturday night and 11 awards were presented to deserving players.
Both Jonah Leard and Brayden Campbell were honored on three occasions. Leard received the award for leading scorer, best offensive player and most valuable player. Campbell won rookie of the year honors as well as Student athlete and the fans’ choice award.
Other recipients are: Anton Topylnickyj (best defenseman), Brody Pare (unsung hero), Julien Gauvreau (most improved player), Loic Nadeau (community service) and Adam Lecours (Michaud Petroleum 3 stars selections).
This is the last Rapids’ report for the 2024-2025 season. However, we will keep you informed of any development or news surrounding the team over the course of the spring and summer seasons.
FINAL TEAM STATS
*Overall record: 16–27–9 (41 points)
*Home record: 11–11-4 (26 points)
*Away record: 5–16–5 (15 points)
*Goals scored: 157 (9th in the league)
*Goals against: 200 (5th most in the league)
*Power play goals: 36 (8th in the league)
*Shorthanded goals: 3
*Power play efficiency: 17.2% (11th in the league)
*Penalty kill: 79.0% (7th in the league)
*Penalty minutes: 1142 (5th in the league)
FINAL INDIVIDUAL STATS
*Points leader: Jonah Leard (65)
*Goals: Jonah Leard (26)
*Assists: Jonah Leard (39)
*Power play goals: Jonah Leard and Derek Bird(7)
*Shorthanded goals: Patrick Baxter (2)
*Winning goals: Nathan Rhodes and Jonah Leard (3)
*Goals against averages by goaltenders:
Adam Lecours (3.74) / Loic Nadeau (3.74)
EASTLINK NORTH:
EASTLINK SOUTH:
Top scorer: Lucas Canning (PCC) 53g 34a 87pts
Best Goals against average: Austin Caley(EDM) 1.98