Report: Red Wings Prospect Moving to QMJHL

There are published reports that Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect Rudy Guimond has parted ways with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Roughriders. The reports go further to state that Guimond will soon be joining the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL.

Guimond was in his second season with the Roughriders. He’d seen action in just six games this season. Guimond was 1-5 with an .887 save percentage, 2.88 goals-against average and one shutout.

Hearing Rudy Guimond left USHL Cedar Rapids and word is he's headed to QMJHL's Moncton. '05 goalie is Yale commit and Detroit sixth rounder in 2023

— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) November 12, 2024

He’s committed to play NCAA hockey at Yale next season. Current Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon is a Yale alum.

The recent ruling from the NCAA that CHL players were now eligible for scholarships may have played a role in Guimond’s choice to head to the QMJHL. Prior that the ruling, by going to the CHL, he would’ve been forgoing the chance to play NCAA hockey.

It’s closer to home for him as well. The 19-year-old netminder hails from Point Claire, Quebec. He played his youth hockey in Montreal. As a young teen, Guimond was making the decision to head to the USA to play prep school hockey at Taft Academy, a private boarding school in Connecticut.

“A little different than most of the guys who will go juniors but one of my goalie coaches said it’s better to take the stairs than the elevator,” Guimond said.

Guimond A Red Wings Sixth-Round Pick

The Red Wings were choosing Guimond 169th overall in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL entry draft. At 6-foot-3, 172 pounds, he certainly fits into the physical prototype of the modern NHL goalie.

He makes no bones about why Yale was a fit for him, both in terms of his hockey and lifestyle future.

“When I get out of there it’s going to be pretty easy to get a job after that,” Guimond said. “That’s the main thing, for the education. That’s why I chose Yale.”

Playing time might be hard for Guimond to be coming by in Moncton. Moncton is currently the top-ranked team in the CHL. Wildcats goalie Jason Steinman is currently leading the QMJHL in GAA (1.84), save percentage (.936) and wins (11).