The Trois-Rivières Lions, the ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, are proud to announce the signing of Quebec-born defenseman Xavier Bernard, who will bring valuable experience to the blue line ahead of the 2026–2027 season.
Originally from Mercier, in Montérégie, Bernard has spent the past five seasons playing between the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL. Last season, the 6-foot-5 defenseman played 54 games with the Rapid City Rush, a team owned by the same ownership group as the Lions, Spire. He recorded three goals and 13 assists for 16 points, while posting a +12 rating.
In total, the left-handed defenseman has appeared in 166 ECHL games, recording 52 points, including 13 goals and 39 assists. He has also accumulated 160 penalty minutes and an impressive +56 rating. In the AHL, Bernard has played 83 games, tallying one goal and six assists for seven points, along with 61 penalty minutes.
During his junior career, the 2016 first-round selection of the Drummondville Voltigeurs also suited up for the Sherbrooke Phoenix and Val-d’Or Foreurs. Over five seasons in the QMJHL, the Montérégie native played 275 games, collecting 103 points and 265 penalty minutes, while posting a +80 rating.
Bernard was also a teammate of Lions forward Israel Mianscum during his time with the Sherbrooke Phoenix.
Now 26 years old, the defenseman is returning to Quebec. “I’m very happy to join the Lions. I’m really looking forward to playing in front of my family, friends and the Lions fans. Our expectations are high, and we can’t wait for the season to begin.”
Xavier Bernard now 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, Vincent Nardone, Samuel St-Hilaire, Thomas Lacombe, Thomas Darcy and Robert Orr on the Lions’ roster for the upcoming season.
The Trois-Rivières Lions’ 2026–2027 season will get underway on Friday, October 16, at the Colisée Vidéotron. Season and half-season memberships, as well as Flex packages, are available at lions3r.com or through a sales representative by calling 819-519-1634, extension 200.
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