Friday, May 15, 2026

Elite defenseman Villeneuve commits; Celebrini wears the C for Canada

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As rumored in recent months, standout QMJHL defenseman Xavier Villeneuve has committed to BU for 2026-27.  A 5'11", 162 lb., left shot from Laval, Quebec, Villeneuve, who will turn 19 in late September, has been a force on the blueline for the Blainville-Boisbrian Armada for the past three seasons. 

Villeneuve is coming off an injury-shortened season with BBM (6-32-38 in 37 games), but finished strong in the playoffs with a 6-8-14 line in 17 games. A year ago, he rang up 62 points (12G,50A) and was named the Q's Defenseman of the Year and a first-team all-star. In 2023-24, he was the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned CHL All-Rookie honors.

Villeneuve skated on Canada's gold medal 2025 World Junior Championship squad, leading all defensemen with four goals.

He also skated in last fall's CHL-USA series alongside fellow incoming freshman Caleb Malhotra and scored the game-winner in the second game of the series. 

FloHockey.tv points out that as "an undersized transitional defenceman and true power-play quarterback, Villeneuve shows certain traits reminiscent of Lane Hutson’s style of play."

 “I find the comparison flattering. Lane is a guy who’s performing in the NHL, but I mainly want to bring my own style. I watch all defencemen under six feet, especially without the puck, but Lane is definitely the best example,” he explained. 

This season, he has focused on improving specific areas of his game: “I’ve made big progress on what I wanted to improve, especially defensively. My goal is to prove that I can be a complete player.”  

► Villeneuve's elite skating, ankle-breaking moves and pinpoint passing are on display in this highlight video.  

 

A projected first round pick in next month's 2026 Entry Draft, he is NHL Central Scouting's #18-ranked North American skater. Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News ranks Villeneuve #10 for the draft, noting:

Possibly the purest offensive blueliner in the class, Villeneuve is as dynamic as they come on the back end. When he's at his best, he can dance around the ice with the puck the way some of the NHL's best do it. Villeneuve can stickhandle in a phone booth, and he has some of the best vision of any defenseman in the class.    

Earlier this month,The Athletic's Scott Wheeler ranked him #20 :

His skill level, offensive hockey sense and puck play are all legitimately elite. He’s constantly making plays and finding openings. And while he’s more shifty than fast (he has mastered using his head, shoulders and eyes to be deceptive and shake past opponents), his speed has improved, he opens up a lot of space for himself on the ice, and he defends smartly for his size, using his edges and a combination of IQ and instincts. It's his shimmies over his breezy feet that really grab you, though. He beats and loses players effortlessly and plays the game with incredible poise and dimension. He has phenomenal edges, a quick release and a good stick.  He does have a unique skill set, though, and his ability to break ankles will translate. 

Villeneuve will be one of four newcomers to BU's defense corps joining portal transfers Jax Wismer (Vermont) and Adam Barone (Lake Superior St.) and fellow freshman Haoxi Wang (OHL Niagara). In addition, Carter Amico, who spent the first semester of last season at BU, returns from USHL Muskegon where he currently is playing in the Clark Cup finals.

● Elite Prospects Page 

● NHL.com 2026 NHL Draft: Villeneuve modeling game after Canadiens' Hutson

●The HockeyWriters.com Villeneuve Draft Profile 

►Center Egor Shilov, who had been committed to BU for 2027, has shifted his commitment to Penn State.  

Looking ahead

College Puck NXT is out with the first ranking of 2026 recruit classes and has BU second behind Michigan State.  The ranking was done prior to Villeneuve's commitment with BU's class including Malhotra, Wang, Amico, Viktor Norringer and recently committed Niklas Aaram Olsen.


Looking back

Macklin Celebrini was selected as captain of Canada's IIHF World Championship squad by his teammates. He retained the C even after Sydney Crosby joined the squad. Crosby, who will be an assistant captain, was captain of Canada's Olympic team with Celebrini wearing an A. 

Lane Hutson assisted on a pair of goals as Montreal doubled up Buffalo, 6-3, to take a 3-2 lead in their playoff series. He has a 2-10-12 line in 12 playoff games and is second among defensemen in post-season scoring.     

Former Terrier goalie Jason Tapp was named Assistant Coach of the Year at the recent AHCA Conference in Florida. Tapp, who played for BU from 1998 through 2002, has been Dartmouth's associate head coach for the past six seasons.

Women's Team

Four former Terriers are competing in the PWHL finals.  In game one, Montreal defeated Ottawa, 3-2, in overtime. Marie-Philip Poulin and Nadia Mattivi had assists for Montreal while Rebecca Leslie scored Ottawa's opening goal.

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