Olivier Nadeau

May 2023 – After winning the QMJHL Championship in 2022, the Shawinigan Cataractes traded Nadeau to the Gatineau Olympiques. Because of an injured shoulder, he could not participate in the Buffalo Sabres’ 2022 summer development camp. Surgery followed. He did not debut with Gatineau until midway through the 2022-2023 campaign when his recovery was complete. As a 20-year-old this past season, Nadeau scored 22 goals and 46 points in 34 games. He recorded a plus-minus rating of plus-41. His latest point totals with Gatineau were very similar to his 13 goals and 45 points in 34 games with Shawinigan in 2020-2021, his draft season. Within the context of the injury and having missed the first half of the season, Nadeau took time to be in mid-season form. The Olympiques named him captain on February 17. He provides a physical presence along the boards as well as in the offensive zone crease, and routinely serves as a screen. His style of attack revolves around astute positioning, being in high-traffic areas, and utilizing his frame to battle for rebounds and to deflect pucks. Nadeau and the Olympiques were swept in the third round of this year’s QMJHL playoffs by the Quebec Remparts. He is now eligible to play in the AHL. The Sabres, as a result, have assigned Nadeau to Rochester while the Americans continue their playoff run against Toronto. He is expected to spend next season in the AHL. –Kevin Wong

June 2022 – Nadeau signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Buffalo Sabres on May 22, 2022. As an alternate captain with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL this season, he led his team in scoring with 35 goals and 43 assists in 65 regular-season games. He subsequently helped the Cataractes win the QMJHL championship with four goals and twelve assists in 16 playoff games, placing fourth among his team’s playoff point-scoring leaders. Nadeau is now slated to help his team compete at the 2022 Memorial Cup. Kevin Wong