The one thing a lot of people didn’t talk about that everyone knew was Caleb Desnoyers’ injury woes this year. It was evident that he wasn’t at one hundred percent near the end of the season, but Desnoyers was hurt for the vast majority of the year, well vast majority is basically the entire season. In the biggest year of his hockey playing life Caleb Desnoyers battled expectations, but his injuries were far worse. His accolades, accomplishments and overall performance this season are all incredibly well documented, but what he did from a pain tolerance perspective is truly incredible.
“Caleb’s will to win far exceeds any bumps or bruises he has to deal with,” said Moncton Wildcats Athletic Therapist Graham Black.
Black worked on the projected Top 10 2025 NHL Draft pick endlessly throughout the season.
“Caleb is mentally geared to deny pain,” stressed Black.
In a year where scouts dissect everything, that’s one area of Desnoyers’ character that had to have jumped off the page.
The will to compete and engage knowing full well that the pain will be excruciating at every stage of the process reveals just how mentally tough and how much this kid wanted it this year.
Billet families are the backbone of major junior hockey in this country. Melodie and Jeff Martin witnessed first hand what Desnoyers went through this season.
“From the outside, people saw the stats and the games, but what they didn’t see was what it took for Caleb to stay on the ice. We saw the quiet moments, the ice bags, the frustration of knowing his body wasn’t 100% but he had something to prove and a team counting on him,” said Melodie and Jeff Martin, Desnoyers’ billet parents.
“It wasn’t just about pushing through pain; it was about managing it daily without letting it define him. There was no days off, he was putting the extra time to strengthen his injury and add on any treatments that could help. That’s the part that shows his character. And even through discomfort and pressure, he stayed focused, steady, and determined to success for himself and his teammates,” explained the Martin’s.
“Caleb is built to compete. He’s the type of player that gives it his all for the guy next to him. Knowing the pain he was actually pushing through just proved what kind of leader he is.”
“He truly left it all on the ice this season, physically and emotionally, and we can’t wait to see him chase the ultimate reward in the next chapter of his career at the end of June,” the Martin’s said proudly.
Desnoyers showed everyone a lot about who he is as a player and person, but what did the highly touted prospect learn about himself this season?
“Honestly, a lot,” Desnoyers said.
“It was a big year and a big test.”
“I knew I was going to have a lot of attention, and a lot of other stuff coming at me like fastballs, and you really have to adapt, but personally I wanted to become a better leader and a good person as well,” said Desnoyers about a half hour after being named as the new captain of the Moncton Wildcats.
“Being a younger guy leading and learning through the guys and leading was something that was really fun to, and something I really enjoyed to do on the ice,” stressed Desnoyers.
“Doing it the right way all of the time,” is no question Caleb Desnoyers biggest strength and attribute as a player. Arguably he’s the best 200ft complete player of the draft and that’s something he took a lot of pride in this season.
“I thought my game really improved a lot especially from a 200ft perspective, and it was so fun to be a part of that group.”
Desnoyers seemingly claimed just about every individual trophy or award the QMJHL could handout and had a tremendous campaign despite playing through so much pain.
“Graham and the entire staff do so much for us, people don’t realize how much they really do behind the scenes physically, but also mentality for us,” said Desnoyers.
“Graham is such a great person and really helps us to be at a hundred percent when we step on the ice.”
“It was a big year, obviously I didn’t mention it or talk about it a lot with regards to the injuries. Something pretty bad happened in November and had to play through it for the entire season,” said Desnoyers.
“So, we will see what happens,” Desnoyers said with a wry smile referring to the MRI.
While the entire team and organization was prepping for their parade and end of year celebrations Desnoyers went for an MRI that morning to hopefully gain more clarity on the severity of the injury he endured throughout the season.
Clearly it was probably the worst keep secret across the Q and entire CHL that Desnoyers wasn’t at a hundred percent, so what about that hurting his draft stock or did he pay any attention to that stuff throughout the year?
“No, no, I don’t pay attention to that, I play my game, and at the end of the day they are going to know.”
Desnoyers left for the NHL Combine knowing full well every team knew his status for that event.
“Some people think playing through that knowing that I performed even though I was hurt or injured will help me or not help, but at the end of the day I just play my game, and I’m satisfied with what I did,” Desnoyers said.
For the better part of two years Caleb Desnoyers has gone nonstop and has played an absolute shit ton of hockey. What is he going to do with a full summer to prepare his body for the upcoming season?
“Do you think I was busy the other summers, my busiest summer is coming up with World Junior camps, NHL camps and the season finished so late, but I’m going to enjoy the win and relax a little bit,” he said with a smile.
What does Desnoyers believe his strongest attribute is heading into the 2025 NHL Draft?
“My mentality, by far, it’s my mentality and it’s the dog that’s inside of me that is always hungry that’s my strength,” Desnoyers said confidently without hesitation.
Caleb Desnoyers has a personality that everyone wants to be around, the largest crowd of the night during the Wildcat festivities literally engulfed the soft-spoken charismatic ultra skilled forward. No matter what the request was that night Desnoyers was clearly in his element smiling nonstop and interacting with the masses even though you could tell he was still in some discomfort.
From posing for pictures with a fans dog to signing autographs, to carefully hoisting the cup to pose for pictures with fans and his billet family alike, Caleb Desnoyers’ enthusiasm and zest for life was a full display just like it always is on and off the ice. I could sense that Desnoyers wanted to join his teammates for one final send off, instead of asking him any more detailed questions regarding the draft, I thought I would hit him up for some quick one-word answers to send him on his way.
Gardiner MacDougall as a coach?
“In one word, that’s simple, the Best.”
Coming to the rink every day?
“Love.”
Moncton Wildcats?
“Family.”
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