Armada loses veteran presence as three 20-year-olds advance to university hockey
The Blainville–Boisbriand Armada will enter next season without three of its most experienced 20-year-old players, each of whom concluded their QMJHL careers after the 2025–26 campaign and will continue their hockey and academic paths at Canadian and American universities.
Forward Vincent Collard, who served as Armada captain, leads the group. Collard arrived in Blainville after stints with Baie‑Comeau and Moncton and finished his major-junior career with 325 games and 197 points. He posted 41 points in 2025–26 and helped the Armada reach the playoff semifinals. Collard is scheduled to join St. Thomas University for the 2026–27 season.
Maël Lavigne was acquired by the Armada in the summer of 2025 to add size and depth for a playoff push. The 6'4", 197-pound forward totaled 181 points across 315 QMJHL games with Baie‑Comeau, Victoriaville, Rimouski and Blainville‑Boisbriand. Lavigne, who had reached the league final the previous year with Rimouski, will play for the University of Nebraska–Omaha next season.
On the blue line, Théo Lemieux became a durable presence for the Armada after arriving midway through 2022–23. His 223 games with Blainville‑Boisbriand rank among the franchise leaders, and his 104 points put him in fourth place in scoring among Armada defencemen. Over his junior career he compiled 108 points in 248 games and plans to join Niagara University for 2026–27.
- Each player finished as a 20-year-old graduate, ending their QMJHL eligibility.
- The trio provided leadership, size and stability during the Armada’s run to the 2026 playoff semifinals.
- All three have committed to university programmes for 2026–27, two in the United States and one in Canada.
Local impact and roster considerations for Blainville
The departures represent a notable turnover for the Armada ahead of the 2026–27 season. Collard’s role as captain and his scoring touch will be difficult to replace, while Lavigne’s combination of height and experience brought a physical element the club used in its playoff push. Lemieux’s steadiness on defence and consistent point production from the back end leave a gap in both minutes and veteran presence.
For the Armada’s coaching staff and management, the challenge will be to integrate younger prospects and potential acquisitions to fill these roles. The QMJHL regularly sends players on to university hockey each summer; this cycle is a reminder of the developmental role Blainville plays in preparing athletes for post‑junior careers.
| Player | QMJHL games | Career points | Next destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent Collard | 325 | 197 | St. Thomas University |
| Maël Lavigne | 315 | 181 | University of Nebraska–Omaha |
| Théo Lemieux | 248 (career) / 223 with Armada | 108 (career) / 104 as Armada defenceman | Niagara University |
Those figures underline the experience level the Armada is losing: multiple seasons of steady production, leadership and many playoff minutes. For local fans, the summer will be a time to track which returning juniors, incoming recruits and possible trades will reshape the roster.
While the three players move on, their progression also reflects the QMJHL’s function as a development route to higher education and pro opportunities. Blainville supporters can expect to see the next wave of Armada players try to fill the void and carry the club forward.
