Mooseheads’ Cataford named league MVP
Mathieu Cataford is officially in a class of his own in the QMJHL.
The league named the Halifax Mooseheads forward its most valuable player on Friday after a tremendous third season. Cataford finished third in QMJHL scoring with 90 points (40 goals, 50 assists) in 65 games, while also finishing tied for seventh at plus-43.
"Obviously, it's a huge honour," Cataford said. "I'm very proud of my season overall and the fact that I get this trophy but I think a lot of it has to do with my teammates throughout the season, especially (Markus) Vidicek. Playing with him on my line the whole year helped a lot. There's a huge part of him in this (award) too.
"I think overall in my season I was consistent, not only talking about points but also playing a 200-foot game. I'm trying to become a better player every day and I think that's what helped me have success."
Amazingly, the 19-yearold was also a finalist for the Marcel-robert Trophy, which is awarded to the league's academic player of the year. Cataford graduated from high school in 2023 with a 97 per cent average, while studying in his second language. He then earned A's in his commerce courses at Saint Mary's University.
"I would say I'm a perfectionist so a lot of it comes from that but I think also my parents taught me that school was important," said Cataford, who was also a finalist for the award in 2022-23. "I would say when I reached high school I was self-driven with it. I've always (had) a lot of focus, not only for school or hockey, but I'm just the type of person that when I do something I try to accomplish it the best I can."
Following the completion of his QMJHL season, Cataford joined the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League. The Silver Knights are the farm team for the Vegas Golden Knights, who drafted Cataford in the third round last summer.
Cataford had two assists in four games in Henderson, calling the experience an excellent learning opportunity.
"It was great because I got to see it's still just hockey," Cataford said. "Obviously the players are bigger and plays happen a little faster so I had to get used to that. It's a step up from junior but I felt comfortable and I got to see where I have to improve."
Cataford is now back home in Quebec and is looking to build on his game for what will almost certainly be his final year of junior. The Golden Knights signed him to a three-year entry level contract in December so the expectation is he will turn pro after the 2024-25 season.
"I would say I want to improve my explosiveness with my skating and work on getting my shot off faster," he said. "Right now I'm taking a little break because my season just finished. But in a couple of weeks I'll start my off-season training and I'll also get back on the ice. After that I'll be going to my development camp (with Vegas) and that'll be fun.
"I also got to play those games with Henderson and tried to make my mark a little bit because in training camp (in September) I was hurt so I couldn't participate. So I want to be ready for that development camp because that's the next step. After that, there's the main camp in September so I'm going to focus a lot on that because I really want to be ready. I'll spend time trying to get stronger and work on everything else I want to improve."