The Trois-Rivières Lions, ECHL affiliate of the Montréal Canadiens, have signed goaltender Samuel St-Hilaire for the 2026-27 season.
A native of Saint-Elzéar-de-Beauce, Québec, St-Hilaire spent last season with the Québec National in the Ligue nord-américaine de hockey (LNAH), appearing in 18 games.
St-Hilaire also made his professional debut in the ECHL, tending goal for the Wichita Thunder on January 25, 2025.
Prior to turning pro, St-Hilaire played three seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). After spending two years with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, he concluded his junior career with the Rimouski Océanic. In 81 career games, he compiled a 48-24-3 record, along with a 2.56 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.
During the 2023-24 season with the Phoenix, the Beauce native enjoyed the best campaign of his junior career, posting an 18-12-1 record, a 2.40 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage, and five shutouts. His outstanding season earned him a nomination for the Patrick Roy Trophy, awarded annually to the QMJHL's top goaltender. That same year, he also represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
St-Hilaire has also attended NHL rookie camps with the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023 before taking part in the Los Angeles Kings' rookie camp the following year.
The 22-year-old shared his excitement after signing with the Lions. "I'm extremely happy to be joining the Trois-Rivières Lions. Having the opportunity to play professionally close to home is something not everyone gets to experience, and it's very motivating for me. I know several Quebec players, as well as a few friends, who have played for the Lions, and I've only heard great things about the organization. I can't wait to get the season started, meet my new teammates, and play in front of the fans!"
St-Hilaire joins Anthony Beauregard, Mathias Laferrière, Landon Fuller, Édouard Charron, Jake Gravelle, Christopher Inniss, Mathieu Bizier, Isaac Dufort, Théo Gueurif, Sean Gulka, Kaleb Ergang, Félix Paré, and Vincent Nardone on the Lions' roster for the 2026-27 season.
The Trois-Rivières Lions will open the 2026-27 season on Friday, October 16, at Colisée Vidéotron. Full-season and half-season memberships, as well as Flex Packs, are available now at lions3r.com or by contacting a Lions ticket representative at 819-519-1634, ext. 200.
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