Cataford’s professional experience isn’t limited to what he did with Vegas and Henderson. He got a taste of how the game can be a business in June, when Halifax of the QMJHL traded him to Rimouski on June 12.

He played three seasons for Halifax, including being named QMJHL Player of the Year in 2023-24, but said his transition was smooth to Rimouski, where his opening nine-game stretch consecutive streaks with at least one point (seven goals, 14 assists) ended against Rouyn-Noranda on Thursday. He had multiple points in eight of nine games, including the first seven at the start of the season.

“I knew at some point during my junior career I was going to get traded,” Cataford said. “There were rumors towards the end of last season that Rimouski could be an option, but when I got the confirmation, for sure, I was really happy, especially with the Memorial Cup. Plus, it’s a very good organization, with players like Sidney Crosby and Brad Richards having played there before, so obviously I was extremely happy, I already knew a few guys on the team, and the adaptation here has been pretty easy and I’m enjoying my time so far.

As host of the Memorial Cup, Rimouski secures one of the four spots, alongside the champions of the OHL, the QMJHL (or finalist if Rimouski wins the championship) and the WHL.

Nichol said these high-intensity matches would provide a major boost to Cataford’s growth.

“As much as you want to, you can’t manufacture or invent these big moments and these big scenes,” Nichol said. “…Having these games deposited in your bank, these are things that are extremely important and helpful to the development of a player. So yeah, we’re really excited about that.”

Cataford (5-foot-11, 191 pounds) said he placed more emphasis on his nutrition during the offseason, which allowed him to get stronger in the gym and play harder on the ice.

Now, as Nichol said, he needs to keep his foot on the gas during a season that could go all the way to the Memorial Cup championship game on June 1, 2025.

“You took your game to another level over the last year and you really showed it in training camp,” Nichol said. “Now keep him there. … He’s been on the ice with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, all our guys, and has done a great job playing at a higher level. Now keep him. You go back to the junior, make your teammates reach this level and that’s how you continue to keep your foot on the accelerator.”

OTHERS TO WATCH

Liam Greentree, AG, Windsor: The Los Angeles Kings prospect has 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) during a streak of 10 consecutive games with at least one point. He has five games with at least three points, including consecutive games with four points (one goal, three assists), against Oshawa on October 14 and Guelph on October 18, then had his first two-goal game in October. .19 against Owen Sound. The Kings selected the 18-year-old in the first round (26th) of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Jakub Milota, G, Cape Breton: The Nashville Predators goalie prospect is 5-1-0 with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage in his last six games, including four games allowing two goals or less. The 18-year-old started the season 0-3-1 and allowed 14 goals in his first four games, including five goals in a game twice. Nashville selected Milota in the fourth round (No. 99) of the 2024 draft.

Caden PriceD, Kelowna: The Seattle Kraken defenseman prospect has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) during a streak of seven consecutive games with at least one point. This includes consecutive four-point games, against Portland (one goal, three assists) on October 11 and Prince Albert (four assists) on October 14. The 19-year-old, who was selected in the third round (No. 84) in the 2023 draft, has 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 11 games this season.