Jackson picked by Moncton
Camden Jackson was selected in the third round, 49th overall by the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Courtesy Moncton Wildcats
Kahnawake’s own Camden Jackson is one step closer to every minor hockey player’s dream of making it to the NHL, as the 16-year-old defender was drafted in the 2025 Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft by the Moncton Wildcats, the league’s defending champions, in the third round, 49th overall.
“It was very surreal,” said Jackson, who was in Quebec City’s Videotron Center for the draft, along with his family.
“The anticipation of who’s name would be called was nerve-wracking, but exciting at the same time,” said Jackson’s mother, Brenda Bourdeau, whose father Lewis Bordeau is from Kahnawake.
“To think these are 16-year-old kids and that they are making a name for themselves in the hockey world is impressive.”
Moncton actually acquired the pick used to select Jackson from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, sending the 64th overall pick and a 2026 third-round pick for it.
“I was hoping to be drafted in the top three rounds, so when the trade was made and Moncton selected me, I was really happy,” said Jackson.
“I’m excited to play for Moncton. It’s a great organization.”
This season, he played AAA U18 hockey with the Chateauguay Grenadiers, playing in all 42 games this season, registering five points, a goal, and four assists. He also had a goal and an assist in Chateauguay’s five playoff games.
Jackson also played for Team Eastern Door and the North in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship in Kamloops, British Columbia, where he registered four points, all assists in six games.
One of Jackson’s teammates in Chateauguay was also drafted by the Wildcats, as goaltender Nathan Chénier was drafted in the ninth round, 155th overall, the only goalie selected by Moncton this year.
“It’s pretty cool that Nathan was drafted to Moncton too. That’s the team he was hoping for also,” said Jackson.
Since their inaugural season in 1996, the Wildcats have missed the playoffs just five times, while being three-time QMJHL champions.
Notable alumni from the Wildcats who made the National Hockey League include Chateauguay’s Corey Crawford, Phillip Danault, Keith Yandle, David Savard, and Brad Marchand. Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton’s leader in points this year with 84 in 56 games, is likely to join them as a first-round pick in this year’s NHL draft.
“We are beyond excited Moncton selected Camden,” said Bourdeau.
“It is a team with obvious talent and structure.”
While Moncton is a ways away from Kahnawake - the distance between the Kahnawake Sports Complex and the arena the Wildcats play their home games in is approximately 900 KM by car - Bourdeau is sure her son will be in good hands.
“The staff was so welcoming to Camden and our entire family. As his mom, I feel confident that this team will look out for him,” said Bourdeau.
She said that while the family will have input on his schooling and his billet family - the local to Moncton family he’ll be staying with while he plays there - the team will take care of everything else.
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Jackson is looking forward to having opportunities to help Moncton get their first Memorial Cup victory, but first comes Moncton’s camp in August, where he hopes to make the team as a 16-year-old.
