Mathieu Cataford has had a solid amateur career. In four seasons at the QMJHL level, he scored 99 goals and 150 assists (1.13 points per game). In the process, he earned the Michel-Briere Trophy, a prestigious QMJHL league MVP award (40 goals, 50 assists in 65 games in 2023-24).
Now? He's invited to Team Canada's World Juniors training camp.
Canada's World Junior camp roster. pic.twitter.com/0iZcq4Rs4Y
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) December 2, 2024
The QMJHL MVP will join names like Easton Cowan, Sam Dickinson, and Jett Luchanko to compete for a chance to play in the 2025 World Juniors. The competition begins on December 26, 2024, and concludes on January 5, 2025. The action takes place in Ottawa, split between the Canadian Tire Centre and TD Place.
Canada is one of 10 teams participating, including the United States, Sweden, Germany, and Czechia. The host nation will play in Group A alongside the United States and Germany, which will be a competitive group.
Golden Knights fans already know what the exciting forward can do for the team. They've seen his offensive handles during the preseason, where he's created two hits and a shot on goal. He also impressed fans at the 2024 Rookie Faceoff in El Segundo, California. Now, they could see what he does on a bigger stage, playing against the world's best players. Could it be another step forward in his development journey?
How Mathieu Cataford earned his spot at the 2025 World Juniors camp with Canada
Mathieu Cataford picked up where he left off last season, putting together an impressive campaign with the QMJHL's Rimouski. He scored 11 goals and 27 assists in 25 games this season. That's projected to finish as 29 goals and 71 assists in 66 games in 2024-25.
Last season, the 19-year-old played four games with the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights. He scored two assists in that span, giving him valuable minor-league experience.
Originally, Cataford was a third-round pick (77th overall) by the Golden Knights in the 2023 NHL Draft. He's listed at 5'11" and weighs 189 lbs, carrying a right-handed shot.
Aside from being named the QMJHL's MVP last season, he was also named to the QMJHL's All-Rookie Team in 2021-22. The 19-year-old also made the QMJHL's First All-Star Team last season, solidifying an incredible season with the Halifax Mooseheads. The cherry on top was Cataford winning the Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal in 2022-23.
Being invited to Team Canada's training camp will provide another big step in Cataford's development journey. He'll bolster his stock with the Vegas Golden Knights if he can make it to the 2025 World Juniors with Team Canada. Fans know he has the skills and hockey intelligence to do so, which would get him one step closer to NHL stardom.