by Nic Phelan, Lead Correspondent, IceCaps Hockey Report
ST. JOHN’S, NL. — Gabriel Dumont hails from the small town of Ville Degelis, about three hours north west of Quebec City just before crossing the border to New Brunswick. He was drafted 139th overall in 2009 after posting near a point per game in his sophomore campaign for the Drummondville Voltigeurs during their run to the QMJHL championship in 2009, and saw action against players like Taylor Hall and Jamie Benn during the Memorial Cup tournament. He followed up his draft finishing third in league scoring at 93 points over 62 games for Drummondville and a league leading 51 goals. Dumont was named to the QMJHL First Team All Star and the CHL Second Team all-star as a part of his final year playing junior hockey.
On June 1st, the Canadiens signed Dumont to a one year, two-way extension. The longest active member of the Hamilton Bulldogs/St. John’s IceCaps has spent the last five seasons with the Canadiens farm club. In 318 career AHL games Dumont has 73 goals and 81 assists for 154 points. Throughout junior and his early AHL career Dumont has proven to be more of a goal scorer, rather than a playmaker. In his 18 NHL appearances with the Canadiens Dumont did manage to take home an NHL goal against Marc Andre Fleury and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 17th, 2013.
Dumont projects to remain with the IceCaps this season, with an occasional call up always a possibility. Although Dumont saw three games with the Habs last season, the IceCaps figure to have more young guys vying for a spot in the lineup which Therrien may prefer to see in the lineup such as Hudon, McCarron, Carr or even Scherbak. Serving as Captain for the Bulldogs in 2014-15 he’ll be heavily relied on to provide leadership to the young players as they make the transition.
In case you missed our previous player features:
IceCaps Roster Feature – Sven Andrighetto
IceCaps Roster Feature – Mark Barberio
IceCaps Roster Feature – Mac Bennett
IceCaps Roster Feature – Tim Bozon
IceCaps Roster Feature – Daniel Carr
IceCaps Roster Feature – Connor Crisp
IceCaps Roster Feature – Josiah Didier
IceCaps Roster Feature – Darren Dietz