Maxence Guenette Bio
Maxence Guenette (born April 28, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenceman. He currently suits up for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Guenette stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 181 pounds, and he shoots right-handed. His journey from a late-round draft pick to a signed NHL contract reflects steady development across junior, minor professional, and top-flight North American leagues.
Originally selected 187th overall in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators, Guenette spent his first four professional seasons inside that organization before a midseason trade moved his signing rights to Philadelphia. He made his NHL debut in April 2023 and has continued to build a reputation as a mobile, defense-first blueliner.
Early Life and Background
Maxence Guenette was born on April 28, 2001, in L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, Canada. The community, located just outside Quebec City, has produced numerous hockey players over the decades, and Guenette grew up surrounded by the sport’s deep roots in the province. His size and mobility were noticeable from a young age, traits that would later define his defensive game.
Guenette developed through the minor hockey ranks in Quebec, where he gained attention as a dependable two-way defenceman with strong skating ability. His early exposure to organized hockey came through local programs that emphasized puck-moving and positional play, setting the stage for his jump to major junior hockey. By his mid-teens, his combination of size and skill had made him one of the more promising rearguards in his age group.
Path to Hockey
Guenette entered the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) when the Val-d’Or Foreurs selected him fifth overall in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft. He joined the Foreurs during a rebuilding period and quickly earned a regular role on the blueline. Over his major junior career, he established himself as a reliable defender with good mobility and size, becoming a steady presence in all situations for Val-d’Or.
His growth in Val-d’Or caught the attention of NHL scouts, and the Ottawa Senators selected him 187th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Following his draft year, Guenette returned to the Foreurs and continued refining his defensive game. In the summer of 2018, he represented Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning a gold medal after a victory over Sweden in the final, an early international highlight that bolstered his resume heading into his draft season.
Maxence Guenette Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
After completing his junior eligibility, Guenette signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators on April 3, 2021. Ottawa immediately assigned him to its AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, where he would spend the first two seasons of his professional career. During that time, his offensive production and defensive reliability improved year over year, a sign that his development was trending in the right direction.
His progress in Belleville earned him a late-season opportunity in the NHL. In April 2023, Ottawa recalled Guenette, and he made his NHL debut on April 13, 2023, against the Buffalo Sabres in the Senators’ final game of the season. The appearance marked the beginning of his top-level career and validated the patience both player and organization had shown during his development path.
Belleville Senators Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Guenette had a strong training camp with Ottawa ahead of the 2023–24 season but was among the final cuts, being assigned back to Belleville on October 8. Once in the AHL, he continued to log heavy minutes as a trusted defender. In February 2024, he and teammate Angus Crookshank represented Belleville at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic, a recognition of his consistent play at the minor professional level.
His season also included several NHL recalls. Guenette received his first emergency recall on February 15, 2024, after Ottawa defenceman Artem Zub suffered an injury, and he made his NHL season debut that night against the Anaheim Ducks. He was recalled again on March 2 and played against the Philadelphia Flyers before being returned to Belleville. After another brief recall on March 7, he was sent down on March 17 once Thomas Chabot returned from injury. He finished the year in Belleville and appeared in all seven of the team’s Calder Cup playoff games, registering an assist. On June 18, 2024, Ottawa announced a one-year, two-way contract extension with Guenette.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Era (2024–Present)
Guenette passed through waivers unclaimed heading into the 2024–25 season and was assigned to Belleville to begin the year. He received an NHL recall on January 7, 2025, replacing the injured Jacob Bernard-Docker, but was a healthy scratch for five straight games and returned to Belleville on January 14 without appearing in an NHL contest that season. As a restricted free agent entering 2025–26, he remained unsigned into the early portion of the schedule.
Just under two months into the new season, Ottawa traded his signing rights to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenceman Dennis Gilbert. Guenette then signed a one-year, two-way contract with Philadelphia and was assigned to the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The trade and signing gave him a fresh start within a new system and reaffirmed his standing as a prospect worth investing in at the professional level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Guenette is recognized primarily as a defensive defenceman whose game is built on mobility, positioning, and responsible play in his own end. Coaches have consistently praised his ability to move the puck cleanly out of the defensive zone, while his 6-foot-1 frame allows him to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. His right-handed shot adds balance to any defensive pairing he joins.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Guenette’s signature milestones are his NHL debut with Ottawa on April 13, 2023, his selection to the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic, and his 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal with Team Canada. His trade to the Philadelphia Flyers organization during the 2025–26 season stands as another defining moment, launching a new chapter in his professional journey.
Maxence Guenette Career Wins
At the professional level, Guenette’s win totals remain modest, as he has spent the majority of his career in development roles within the AHL. His most notable championship to date came at the international junior level, where he helped Team Canada capture gold at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a victory over Sweden in the final. Continued steady performance could position him for additional accolades as his career progresses.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his international gold medal, Guenette’s standout performances include his selection to the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic and his contributions to Belleville’s seven-game Calder Cup playoff run in 2024, where he recorded an assist. His consistent year-over-year improvement in the AHL also stands out as a marker of his steady professional growth.
Maxence Guenette Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Maxence Guenette’s family background is limited, and detailed records about his parents or siblings have not been widely published. His roots in L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, place him within a region long associated with strong hockey traditions and development pipelines.
Personal Life
Guenette maintains a relatively private personal life, with no public information currently available about a spouse, partner, or children. He continues to focus on his professional hockey career, balancing time between the AHL and NHL organizations that hold his contract.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a transitional period for Guenette. He began the 2024–25 AHL season with Belleville before receiving an NHL recall in January 2025, only to be returned to the minors without an appearance at the top level. As a restricted free agent entering 2025–26, his status remained uncertain into the early weeks of the new campaign.
The turning point came when Ottawa traded his signing rights to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Dennis Gilbert, a move that opened the door to a fresh opportunity. Guenette quickly signed a one-year, two-way contract with Philadelphia and was assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he has looked to re-establish himself within a new organization and defensive system.
Heading into the rest of the 2025–26 season, Guenette’s outlook centers on producing consistent minutes with the Phantoms and positioning himself for future NHL opportunities. His blend of size, mobility, and defensive responsibility remains his strongest selling point, and a strong finish could help him climb back into Flyers consideration.