Man of the Week: Xavier Ouellet
KHL.ru’s weekly column goes on with Xavier Ouellet. The Dinamo Minsk defenseman is having a strong debut season in the KHL, helping Dinamo Minsk winning seven straight games and being awarded Defenseman of the Week in the process. Recently, the Bison renewed their ties with the blueliner for a further couple of seasons.
Xavier Ouellet, with his blend of experience and skill, has been instrumental in the Bison’s recent seven-game winning streak, securing their spot in the playoffs so far as the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Such has been their dominance that SKA St. Petersburg’s head coach, Roman Rotenberg, recently lauded Dinamo Minsk as the hottest team in the league as the team met recently, with the Belarusians celebrating a 2:1 home win.
Ouellet’s recent performances have showcased his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. Over the past stretch of games, he has consistently added points to the scoreboard, tallying five points in his last ten games and contributing so far 26 (3+23) points in 60 games in the current campaign. Recognizing his value, Dinamo Minsk recently secured Ouellet’s services for an additional two years. This is good news for the franchise not only because Ouellet recommended himself as a reliable defenseman with solid offensive skills, but also because another core blueliner will return to the team next season as Dinamo Minsk will build their defensive lineup as similar as possible to this year’s.
Early years
Born on July 29, 1993, in Bayonne, France, where his father was playing at the time, Ouellet returned to Canada during his youth. He first made his mark with the Montreal Juniors in the QMJHL during the 2009-2010 season, recording 16 points in 43 games. His offensive capabilities blossomed in the 2011-12 season with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, where he tallied 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists) in 63 games.
His impressive junior career led to his selection by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round, 48th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Ouellet made his NHL debut during the 2013-2014 season, appearing in four games for the Red Wings. Over the next few seasons, he split time between Detroit and their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Notably, during his tenure with Detroit, he shared the ice with current KHL players Alexei Marchenko and Evgeny Svechnikov.
In the 2016-2017 NHL season, Ouellet played a career-high 66 games for the Red Wings, contributing 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists). After his stint with Detroit, he signed with the Montreal Canadiens, where he played parts of two seasons, adding veteran presence and depth to their defensive lineup.
Move to the KHL
After a two-year stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL, Ouellet made his first move overseas, signing with Dinamo Minsk, where he quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Not only his points have been critical for the Bison – he’s also an alternate captain for the team and leads the skaters with a plus-21 differential.
Looking to the playoffs
Right now, Dinamo Minsk seems to be in hot shape, with seven straight wins and a fourth place in the Western Conference’s standings. With the elimination stage approaching, Ouellet’s role will only grow.
