Having a lengthy career: a dream come true.
Playing for your hometown: a dream come true.
Getting NHL experience: a dream come true.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Xavier Ouellet has achieved all these and more. At the end of the 2012 season, Ouellet signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings. During his second season with the Red Wings Organization, Ouellet earned a call-up to Detroit. He made his NHL debut in October 2013 against the San Jose Sharks. In November of 2014, Ouellet scored his first NHL goal against Cory Schneider of the New Jersey Devils. Ouellet made one appearance in the AHL All-Star Classic for the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2016. At the end of the 2016-2017 season, Ouellet played in 66 games for Detroit and earned a two-year extension.
In the 2018 off-season, Ouellet signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Montreal Canadiens. This was after a result of Detroit waiving him to buy out his contract for his final year.
“It was a great experience. Playing at home was pretty cool. I was named Captain of the team in Laval. It gave me more experience to be a leader at the pro level.”
Xavier Ouellet on playing in his home town for 4 seasons.
At the end of the 2021-2022 season, Ouellet became a free agent and signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a two-year, two-way contract.
Ouellet’s 2022-23 season came to a halt when he suffered an ankle injury that required surgery, keeping him out for the remainder of the season. This season, when watching him play, you can tell he is a player who has put the work into his rehab.
“Everything. The resources the team provided. I stayed in Wilkes-Barre to do my rehab with the staff and the resources that I had here. Training hard and trying to get my physical back to where they were, and even a bit better if I could.”
Ouellet on training and rehabbing after ankle surgery
Every player learns many lessons on the way throughout their career, and every player has a different lesson that has stood out for them and has made them a better player on the way through. Ouellet is no different when it comes to this.
“The biggest part is off the ice, the consistency, and the resilience to have what it takes to do the things that you need to do at home. In between games, in between practices. Taking care of your body, eating well, getting good sleep. All the little sacrifices or details that need to be done.
Ouellet on what has made him a better player throughout the years
When a player is asked what their biggest accomplishment is outside of their career, some refer to school, junior careers, and most refer to family. Ouellet’s biggest accomplishment and the one he is most proud of?
“The family I have created is a big one. My daughter is a big part of our lives. I take a lot of pride and have a lot of love for that.”
Ouellet on his biggest accomplishment
Being a defenseman comes with its own set of unique challenges. From having to keep your feet moving, to keeping your head on a swivel, to helping your goaltender see through traffic, and having to be ready to clear rebounds. Ouellet does all of this and makes it look easy. He was asked who the hardest player he ever had to defend on the opposing team was.
“In my early days, (Evgeni) Malkin was a big one to take care of. I had the chance to play Pittsburgh in the playoffs when i was in Montreal. So that’s where (Sidney) Crosby, Malkin, and these guys were a big task, for sure.”
Ouellet on the hardest player he has ever had to defend
In the 2023-2024 season thus far, Ouellet has played in 13 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He has posted 1 goal with 6 assists.
