Xavier Bourgault
Xavier Bourgault (born October 22, 2002) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is part of the Ottawa Senators organization, playing for the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL). A former first-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, Bourgault has built his reputation as a skilled two-way forward with scoring touch, playmaking vision, and the kind of offensive upside that made him one of the most intriguing prospects from the 2021 NHL Draft class. Standing 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) and weighing 78 kg (172 lb), he continues to develop his game at the professional level while aiming to break into the National Hockey League (NHL) on a full-time basis.
Xavier Bourgault Bio
Born in L’Islet, Quebec, Canada, Bourgault rose through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) ranks as a high-end offensive talent with the Shawinigan Cataractes. His combination of speed, skill, and hockey sense allowed him to excel at every junior level, eventually leading to his selection 22nd overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Since turning professional, Bourgault has split his time between the AHL and NHL, working to refine his game and establish himself as a reliable contributor at the next level.
Early Life and Background
Xavier Bourgault was born on October 22, 2002, in L’Islet, a small community in the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec, Canada. Growing up in a province where hockey is deeply woven into the cultural fabric, Bourgault was introduced to the sport at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the game. His family environment and the strong minor hockey tradition in Quebec provided him with the foundation needed to pursue competitive hockey at higher levels.
As a young player, Bourgault demonstrated the kind of offensive instincts and skating ability that set him apart from his peers. His development in the minor hockey ranks in Quebec caught the attention of QMJHL scouts, and he was selected by the Shawinigan Cataractes in the second round of the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft. This early recognition marked the beginning of his path toward a professional hockey career.
Path to Hockey
Bourgault joined the Shawinigan Cataractes organization and quickly adapted to the pace and physicality of major junior hockey. Originally drafted as a centre, the Cataractes decided to move him to the wing so he could play alongside skilled forward Mavrik Bourque. This positional change allowed Bourgault to maximize his offensive abilities and develop chemistry with one of the QMJHL’s most talented playmakers.
Making his QMJHL debut during the 2018–19 season, Bourgault posted 7 goals and 20 points in 62 games, showing flashes of the high-end skill that would soon make him a top NHL prospect. Over the following seasons, his production steadily increased as he adjusted to the demands of the league. His offensive progression, combined with his responsible two-way play, established him as one of the premier players in the QMJHL and a consensus first-round talent heading into the 2021 NHL Draft.
Xavier Bourgault Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Bourgault’s first three seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes were marked by steady improvement and growing confidence. After a modest debut campaign in 2018–19, he elevated his game significantly in 2019–20, recording 33 goals and 71 points in 63 games and posting a 1.13 points-per-game rate. His ability to drive offense while maintaining discipline made him a trusted contributor for the Cataractes.
During the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Bourgault continued to produce at an elite level, tallying 20 goals and 40 points in just 29 games for a 1.38 points-per-game rate. That same year, he accumulated only six penalty minutes, a testament to his clean play, and was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the QMJHL’s most sportsmanlike player. This combination of skill, production, and character cemented his status as a top prospect.
QMJHL Dominance and Memorial Cup (2021–2022)
The 2021–22 season represented Bourgault’s most productive year in the QMJHL. He scored 36 goals and 75 points in 43 games during the regular season, establishing himself as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players. His dynamic play alongside Mavrik Bourque gave the Cataractes one of the most potent forward duos in major junior hockey.
In the playoffs, Bourgault finished second on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 22 points as the Cataractes captured the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as QMJHL champions. This championship earned them a berth in the 2022 Memorial Cup, Canada’s prestigious junior hockey tournament. The Cataractes advanced to the semi-final, where they ultimately fell to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), finishing third overall in the four-team event. Bourgault’s performance throughout the season and playoffs solidified his reputation as a difference-maker at the junior level.
Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors (2022–2024)
Selected 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Bourgault signed a three-year entry-level contract on March 31, 2022. He began his professional career with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, for the 2022–23 season. In his rookie professional campaign, he posted 13 goals and 34 points, demonstrating that his offensive skills could translate to the pro game.
Bourgault returned to Bakersfield for the 2023–24 season, though his production dipped as he scored 8 goals and 20 points in 55 games. Despite the statistical decline, he continued to develop his overall game, focusing on the details of professional hockey and working to earn a more consistent role at the NHL level.
Belleville Senators Era (2024–Present)
On July 15, 2024, Bourgault was traded to the Ottawa Senators along with forward Jake Chiasson in exchange for Roby Järventie and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The move provided Bourgault with a fresh opportunity within a new organization. He was assigned to Ottawa’s AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, to begin the 2024–25 season.
In his first year with Belleville, Bourgault recorded 12 goals and 26 points in 61 games, showing renewed offensive consistency. Following the season, he was signed to a one-year, two-way contract extension by Ottawa on July 21, 2025, and was assigned to Belleville to start the 2025–26 campaign. His continued development with the Senators organization positions him as a prospect to watch in Ottawa’s pipeline.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bourgault is recognized for his smooth skating, soft hands, and strong playmaking instincts. He possesses the vision to create scoring chances for teammates and the finishing ability to capitalize on opportunities himself. His two-way responsibility, including his disciplined penalty-killing and low penalty-minute totals at the junior level, adds value beyond pure offence. Working within the Ottawa Senators’ development system, he continues to refine his consistency and physical engagement at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Bourgault’s defining career moments are his 2021 NHL Draft selection 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers, his QMJHL championship with the Shawinigan Cataractes in 2021–22, and his appearance at the 2022 Memorial Cup. He also represented Canada at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships before the tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic, and he chose to forgo the rescheduled event to focus on making the Oilers’ roster.
Xavier Bourgault Career Wins
Across his junior and professional career, Xavier Bourgault has compiled an impressive list of achievements, including the 2022 QMJHL championship with the Shawinigan Cataractes and consistent offensive production at every level. His development path from a second-round QMJHL pick to a first-round NHL selection reflects his growth as a player and his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
QMJHL Highlights
During his time with the Shawinigan Cataractes, Bourgault recorded three consecutive seasons of increased offensive production, culminating in a 36-goal, 75-point campaign in 2021–22. He added 12 goals and 22 points in the playoffs that spring, helping the Cataractes capture the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as QMJHL champions. His playoff performance and championship run remain the most decorated moments of his junior career.
Other Wins & Performances
Bourgault’s most notable additional honour came during the 2020–21 QMJHL season, when he was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s most sportsmanlike player, recording just six penalty minutes in 29 games. His selection to Team Canada for the 2022 World Junior Championships further highlighted his standing among North America’s top young hockey talent.
Xavier Bourgault Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Xavier Bourgault’s family background are not widely documented in publicly available sources. He grew up in L’Islet, Quebec, in a community with deep hockey roots, which played a central role in his development as a player.
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Bourgault’s personal life, including any relationship or marital status, is limited. He continues to focus on his professional hockey career with the Belleville Senators organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season represents an important opportunity for Xavier Bourgault to solidify his place within the Ottawa Senators organization. After being signed to a one-year, two-way contract extension on July 21, 2025, he was assigned to the Belleville Senators to begin the year, where he will be expected to play a top-six forward role and provide consistent offensive production.
Following a 2024–25 campaign in which he posted 12 goals and 26 points in 61 games with Belleville, Bourgault enters the new season aiming to build on that foundation and push for NHL opportunities with the parent club in Ottawa. His development within the Senators’ system will be closely monitored, as the organization looks to integrate young talent into its long-term plans.
With his combination of skill, speed, and offensive creativity, Bourgault remains a prospect with legitimate NHL upside. The 2025–26 season will be a key step in determining whether he can transition from promising AHL contributor to a regular presence at the highest level of professional hockey.