Nadeau Brother’s Making a Name for Themselves in the BCHL

Everyone in the hockey world around this region are very familiar with the names Josh and Bradley Nadeau. The Nadeau brother’s have been making noise in the hockey world here for many many years. The Nadeau’s took their show on the road and now everyone in the hockey world knows exactly who the two quiet humble hockey playing wizards really are and the impact they can have on the game and team success.

Josh and Bradley Nadeau started playing the game as soon as they could walk. They honed their skills for countless hours an old barn converted to an amazing outdoor rink on their farm in St-Francois-de-Madawaska. Rural New Brunswick was the backdrop to this amazing hockey story featuring two brothers that have been confronted by one of hockey’s double standard all the way throughout their career. The ultra-talented brothers have always took the road less travelled to attain their hockey dreams and aspirations no matter what the critics have repeatedly said about their stature.

Josh and Bradley Nadeau’s story is one of perseverance, persistence and resiliency. Their journey across the hockey world is great reminder to not only trust the process, but to trust your own individualistic instincts when it comes to the game and path within it.

Like many hockey families in the rural parts of the province the Nadeau’s sacrificed countless hours over the years travelling up and down the backroads in unimaginable conditions for the sake of the game and trying to give their sons the opportunity to play the game at the highest level. Both Josh and Bradley moved away from home at 15 years old and were billeted in Fredericton to play Major Midget AAA/U-18 Major with the Fredericton Caps organization.

Josh and Bradley tore the NB/PEI Major U18 AAA Hockey League up in their respective years. The Nadeau family had incredibly difficult decisions to make regarding the direction they would take in the game. Josh was the first to experience the QMJHL entry draft and what that league had to offer. The decision to keep his NCAA eligibility was a tough one at the time. On December 3, 2020, the diminutive scoring sensation committed to the University of Maine. Speculation grew late that August when Nadeau and his family had chosen to take the college route when his name was left off the Acadie-Bathurst Titan’s 42-man Training Camp roster. Nadeau signed on to play with the Edmundston Blizzard of the Maritime Hockey League a few days later. After an amazing debut season in the MHL, the Nadeau’s had another difficult decision to make. By that time, it was Bradley’s turn to experience the QMJHL draft. He also excelled in the NB/PEI league as a 15. The Rimouski Oceanic selected Bradley in the 7^th round 115^th overall in the 2021 entry draft. The QMJHL CSR had Bradley Nadeau ranked very high that year, but word was out that he would be taking the NCAA route as well. The Blizzard also used one of their two territorial draft selections on Bradley in hopes of having both Nadeau’s in their lineup the following season.

The decision to leave home and go west to the BCHL and apply their craft out west wasn’t expected by the hockey world in this region. Some would argue that it was a massive leap of faith, with so much uncertainty surrounding the league and Bradley going to play for the Penticton Vees of BCHL as a 16-year-old. Ultimately, the family and the boy’s made the right decision for them like they have made throughout their path in the game.

From rural New Brunswick to Penticton, British Columbia, on to Orono, Maine, Josh and Bradley Nadeau continue to make a name for themselves in the game of hockey. What makes their story so special is that fact they have done it on their own terms and they have done it together, just like they did when they first laced them up on their outdoor rink.

In 54 games this year with the Vees Josh scored 40 goals and 32 assists. In 17 playoff games, he amassed 12 goals and 12 assists.

In 49 games this year with the Vees Bradley scored 20 goals and 26 assists. In 17 playoff games, he amassed 11 goals and 13 assists.

Josh and Bradley Nadeau helped lead the Vees to a Fred Page Cup Championship this season. The Maine Black Bears are getting two exceptional hockey players, that think the game of hockey like very few ever imagined. More importantly the Maine Black Bears are getting two exceptional people.