The Novas are proud to celebrate the achievements of two former players, Riley Sampson and Jack Hayne, who both played for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) during their championship season.

This year, the Wildcats captured the President’s Cup, awarded to the QMJHL playoff champions. It’s one of the most prestigious trophies in Canadian junior hockey and a testament to the team’s resilience and dominance throughout the postseason.

Riley Sampson and Jack Hayne contributed to the Wildcats’ historic run, helping push Moncton to national recognition. As QMJHL champions, the team earned a spot in the 2025 Memorial Cup, Canada’s national major junior championship, where they faced off against the best teams from the WHL, OHL, and host Rimouski Oceanic.

Although the journey ended short of lifting the Memorial Cup, Riley and Jack’s success this season places them among the top players in the country at the junior level. The Memorial Cup is the ultimate stage for CHL players, and being part of it is a major career milestone.

Everyone at The Novas organization is incredibly proud of Riley and Jack’s development and accomplishments. From suiting up in Nova Scotia to performing on the national stage, they continue to inspire our current group of players.

The Novas are proud to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of alumnus Brady Peddle, who recently helped lead the Waterloo Black Hawks to the Clark Cup Finals in the United States Hockey League (USHL). Although the Black Hawks fell just short in a thrilling five-game series, losing 4-3 in the final to the Muskegon Lumberjacks, Peddle’s performance was nothing short of outstanding.

The USHL is the top Tier I junior hockey league in the United States and is widely regarded as one of the premier development leagues for NCAA and NHL prospects. The Clark Cup is awarded annually to the USHL playoff champion, making it one of the most prestigious trophies in North American junior hockey.

During the Black Hawks’ playoff run, Peddle stood out as one of the most reliable and impactful defensemen in the league. Logging major minutes in all situations, he combined defensive responsibility with offensive instincts, contributing consistently at both ends of the ice.

Brady had previously committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Michigan State University, a member of the prestigious Big Ten Conference. The Spartans have a long and storied hockey tradition, and Brady’s addition adds strength to a growing program with national ambitions.

Brady’s development over the years, from his time with The Novas to making waves in the USHL and now advancing to NCAA hockey, is a testament to his work ethic, talent, and determination. Everyone in The Novas organization is incredibly proud of his journey and looks forward to watching him take the next step in East Lansing.