The Campbellton Tigers have announced that Francis Thibeault has committed to the University de Moncton men’s hockey team. He will join the UdeM Aigles Bleus for the 2019-20 season.
Thibeault was drafted in the 2nd Round, 15th overall, in the 2014 MHL Entry Draft and spent three full seasons and parts of another in Campbellton. In his rookie season of 2014-15, the 20-year-old from Val d’Amour, N.B. finished fourth in team scoring with ten goals and 18 assists in 48 games. After a season with the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan in 2015-16, Thibeault would split his time between the teams. In 25 games with Campbellton in 2016-17, he posted five goals and nine assists.
The following season, Thibeault would return to Campbellton full-time. In 39 games he had three goals and 15 assists, in addition to two goals and two assists in five playoff games. Thibeault also represented Team Canada East at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Truro, N.S. as one of two MHLers in the tournament.
Not lost in his offensive numbers, was his defensive prowess. Thibeault would be recognized as the Defenseman of the Year in 2018-19 and was named an All-Star. He scored three goals and set career highs in both assists (35) and points (37). Thibeault helped the Campbellton Tigers to the Eastlink North Division banner and an appearance in the final of the Canadian Tire Cup Playoffs.