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Maxim Masse Wins 2026 CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award
On Monday, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) crowned Chicoutimi Saguenéens forward Maxim Massé as the David Branch Player of the Year, the highest individual honor in junior hockey. The ceremony, held in Toronto, highlighted Massé’s dominant 2025‑26 campaign and his place among the league’s elite.
Massé finished the season with 51 goals and 51 assists, totaling 102 points and topping the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) charts. His production earned him the Jean‑Béliveau Trophy for most points and the Michel Brière Memorial Trophy as the QMJHL’s most valuable player—both of which feed into the David Branch selection. The Branch award, renamed in 2019‑20 to honor former CHL president David Branch, is presented to the MVP of the three member leagues: the Michel Brière (QMJHL), the Red Tilson Trophy (OHL), and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL).
Only five players have ever captured both the CHL Rookie of the Year and the David Branch honors. Massé joins Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Alex DeBrincat and Alexis Lafrenière on that list. He earned Rookie of the Year in 2023, the same year the Saguenéens reached the QMJHL finals.
The Ducks’ 2024 NHL Entry Draft pick was selected 66th overall in the third round by the Anaheim organization. Massé has also worn the maple leaf on the international stage, representing Canada at the 2024 Hlinka‑Gretzky Cup. After concluding his junior career, he committed to the University of Massachusetts for the 2026‑27 season.
The awards banquet also honored other league leaders. Bryce Pickford of the Edmonton Oil Kings claimed the WHL’s MVP title, while the OHL’s top scorer received the league’s most valuable player award. The event celebrated the achievements of all 61 CHL teams, which span ten Canadian provinces and four U.S. states.
The David Branch award sits within the CHL’s long‑standing tradition of recognizing individual excellence. The season’s climax is the Memorial Cup, where the champions of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL—alongside a host team—compete in a round‑robin format to crown the national champion.
Massé’s accolade signals his standing among junior hockey’s brightest talents and underscores the potential impact he could bring at the professional level. Anaheim’s organization has expressed confidence in his development, citing his skill set and consistency.
Beyond individual honors, the CHL continues to emphasize player development and exposure. The league hosts events such as the CHL USA Prospects Challenge and the annual CHL Canada/Russia Series, although the latter was cancelled in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As the 2026‑27 season approaches, Massé will transition from junior hockey to collegiate play, while the Ducks monitor his progress in preparation for future roster moves. The award also serves as a reminder of the CHL’s role in shaping future NHL talent.
In summary, Maxim Massé’s receipt of the David Branch Player of the Year award marks a significant milestone in his career, reflecting his outstanding performance in the 2025‑26 season and his status as one of the most promising prospects in Canadian junior hockey.
Massé finished the season with 51 goals and 51 assists, totaling 102 points and topping the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) charts. His production earned him the Jean‑Béliveau Trophy for most points and the Michel Brière Memorial Trophy as the QMJHL’s most valuable player—both of which feed into the David Branch selection. The Branch award, renamed in 2019‑20 to honor former CHL president David Branch, is presented to the MVP of the three member leagues: the Michel Brière (QMJHL), the Red Tilson Trophy (OHL), and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL).
Only five players have ever captured both the CHL Rookie of the Year and the David Branch honors. Massé joins Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Alex DeBrincat and Alexis Lafrenière on that list. He earned Rookie of the Year in 2023, the same year the Saguenéens reached the QMJHL finals.
The Ducks’ 2024 NHL Entry Draft pick was selected 66th overall in the third round by the Anaheim organization. Massé has also worn the maple leaf on the international stage, representing Canada at the 2024 Hlinka‑Gretzky Cup. After concluding his junior career, he committed to the University of Massachusetts for the 2026‑27 season.
The awards banquet also honored other league leaders. Bryce Pickford of the Edmonton Oil Kings claimed the WHL’s MVP title, while the OHL’s top scorer received the league’s most valuable player award. The event celebrated the achievements of all 61 CHL teams, which span ten Canadian provinces and four U.S. states.
The David Branch award sits within the CHL’s long‑standing tradition of recognizing individual excellence. The season’s climax is the Memorial Cup, where the champions of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL—alongside a host team—compete in a round‑robin format to crown the national champion.
Massé’s accolade signals his standing among junior hockey’s brightest talents and underscores the potential impact he could bring at the professional level. Anaheim’s organization has expressed confidence in his development, citing his skill set and consistency.
Beyond individual honors, the CHL continues to emphasize player development and exposure. The league hosts events such as the CHL USA Prospects Challenge and the annual CHL Canada/Russia Series, although the latter was cancelled in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As the 2026‑27 season approaches, Massé will transition from junior hockey to collegiate play, while the Ducks monitor his progress in preparation for future roster moves. The award also serves as a reminder of the CHL’s role in shaping future NHL talent.
In summary, Maxim Massé’s receipt of the David Branch Player of the Year award marks a significant milestone in his career, reflecting his outstanding performance in the 2025‑26 season and his status as one of the most promising prospects in Canadian junior hockey.
