Xavier Bourgault Bio
Xavier Bourgault (born October 22, 2002) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021 NHL entry draft and skates as a right-handed forward. Standing 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) and weighing 185 lb (84 kg), he has spent time at both centre and wing during his development.
After beginning his major junior career with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Bourgault transitioned to professional hockey with the Bakersfield Condors before joining Belleville. His progression through the Edmonton and Ottawa organizations has established him as a prospect to watch within the Senators’ forward pipeline.
Early Life and Background
Xavier Bourgault was born on October 22, 2002, in L’Islet, Quebec, Canada. Growing up in the province of Quebec, he was immersed in a region with a deep tradition of ice hockey, which shaped his early introduction to the sport. L’Islet, located along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, has produced several hockey talents who developed within the Quebec junior system.
From a young age, Bourgault played organized hockey in Quebec’s youth ranks, refining his offensive instincts and skating ability. His development through minor hockey positioned him as a high-priority prospect eligible for the QMJHL’s annual draft. He entered the major junior pathway as a centre, the position he had grown up playing throughout his formative years.
Path to Hockey
Bourgault was drafted by the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL in the second round of the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft as a centre. Shortly after his arrival, the Cataractes decided to move him to the wing so he could play alongside fellow prospect Mavrik Bourque. This positional adjustment marked the first significant step in his progression toward becoming a dual-threat forward capable of playing up the middle or on the flank.
Making his QMJHL debut with the Cataractes during the 2018–19 season, Bourgault recorded 7 goals and 20 points in 62 games. He steadily increased his production in subsequent seasons, reaching 33 goals and 71 points in 63 games during 2019–20 and posting 20 goals and 40 points in 29 pandemic-shortened games during 2020–21. His disciplined play that year, recording only six penalty minutes, led to him being named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, the QMJHL’s award for sportsmanship.
Xavier Bourgault Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Bourgault’s most productive major junior season came during 2021–22, when he scored 36 goals and 75 points in 43 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes. In the playoffs, he finished second on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 22 points, trailing only Bourque, as the Cataractes captured the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as QMJHL league champions. The team advanced to the 2022 Memorial Cup but finished third in the four-team tournament, falling to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League in the semi-final.
Selected to represent Team Canada at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in December 2021, Bourgault played in the opening game against Czechia but was struck in the head and left the game. The tournament was subsequently cancelled due to the pandemic and its results were annulled. When the tournament resumed in August 2022, Bourgault chose not to participate, opting instead to focus on his transition to professional hockey with the Edmonton Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2021–2024)
On July 23, 2021, Bourgault was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL 22nd overall in the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on March 31, 2022, formally beginning his professional career. Following his QMJHL playoff run and Memorial Cup appearance, he was assigned to the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, for the 2022–23 season.
In his AHL rookie season with Bakersfield, Bourgault scored 13 goals and 34 points, providing an early indication of his offensive potential at the professional level. He returned to the Condors for the 2023–24 season, though his production declined as he registered 8 goals and 20 points in 55 games. Despite the dip in output, he remained a developing prospect within Edmonton’s forward group.
Ottawa Senators Era (2024–Present)
On July 15, 2024, Bourgault was traded to the Ottawa Senators along with forward Jake Chiasson in exchange for forward Roby Järventie and a fourth-round draft pick in 2025. He was subsequently assigned to Ottawa’s AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, to begin the 2024–25 season. In his first year with Belleville, he posted 12 goals and 26 points in 61 games, gradually adjusting to his new organization.
On July 21, 2025, Bourgault was signed to a one-year, two-way contract extension by Ottawa, signalling the club’s continued investment in his development. He was assigned to Belleville to begin the 2025–26 season before being recalled to Ottawa on December 27, when he made his NHL debut in a 7–5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. After being returned to Belleville and recalled again on January 27, 2026, he appeared in one additional game with Ottawa before being sent back to the AHL. He finished the season with no points in two NHL games and 25 goals and 57 points in 70 appearances with Belleville.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bourgault is regarded as a skilled offensive forward with the versatility to play both centre and wing. His development in the QMJHL emphasized playmaking and goal-scoring, while his disciplined penalty-minute totals reflect a two-way awareness beyond pure point production. Coaches have utilized his right-hand shot and hockey IQ to deploy him in multiple forward roles within the lineup.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Bourgault’s signature achievements are his 2021 NHL Draft selection at 22nd overall and his role in the Shawinigan Cataractes’ Gilles-Courteau Trophy victory in 2021–22. His NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators on December 27 against the Toronto Maple Leafs stands as a personal milestone, marking his first appearance at the top professional level after years of development in junior and the AHL.
Xavier Bourgault Career Wins
Bourgault’s career highlights include a QMJHL championship with the Shawinigan Cataractes, a finalist appearance for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, and steady offensive production across both junior and professional ranks. While he has yet to record an NHL point through his first two appearances, his AHL production with both Bakersfield and Belleville demonstrates consistent point-scoring ability at the second-highest professional tier.
QMJHL Highlights
Across his QMJHL career with the Shawinigan Cataractes, Bourgault accumulated multiple 30-goal seasons, highlighted by his 36-goal, 75-point campaign in 2021–22. He finished that season second on the Cataractes in playoff scoring with 12 goals and 22 points as the team captured the Gilles-Courteau Trophy. He also represented Team Canada at the 2022 World Junior Championships prior to its cancellation.
AHL Performances
In the AHL, Bourgault has suited up for both the Bakersfield Condors and the Belleville Senators. His most productive professional season came in 2025–26, when he posted 25 goals and 57 points in 70 games with Belleville, establishing new personal bests at the professional level and reinforcing his standing within the Ottawa Senators’ forward pipeline.
Xavier Bourgault Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Xavier Bourgault’s family background remains limited, with no widely confirmed details about his parents or any extended hockey lineage within his immediate family. His upbringing in L’Islet, Quebec, placed him within a region well known for producing competitive hockey players.
Personal Life
Bourgault has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, and no verified information regarding a spouse, partner, or children is available. He continues to focus on his professional career within the Ottawa Senators organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season represented a significant step forward for Bourgault within the Ottawa Senators’ system. After signing a one-year, two-way contract extension on July 21, 2025, he began the year with the Belleville Senators and delivered his strongest professional output, recording 25 goals and 57 points in 70 appearances. His consistent scoring pace positioned him as a leading forward for Belleville throughout the campaign.
Midway through the season, Bourgault received his first NHL recall on December 27, making his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Following a brief return to Belleville, he was recalled again on January 27, 2026, and appeared in one additional game with Ottawa before being returned to the AHL. Although he finished the year without an NHL point, his two-game audition provided a first look at his potential role with the parent club.
Looking ahead, Bourgault’s outlook remains tied to his continued development as a dual-threat forward capable of contributing offensively at both the AHL and NHL levels. With another season of professional experience now behind him, he is expected to compete for a larger role within the Ottawa Senators’ forward ranks while serving as an offensive leader for the Belleville Senators.
