Gardiner MacDougall’s first full season in the major-junior coaching ranks proved the longtime University of New Brunswick bench boss could have just as much success at another level.

Now, the Moncton Wildcats coach has a new challenge — keep his team in elite status in the QMJHL after capturing the league title in dominating fashion last season.

Although the OHL’s London Knights seem like one of the only franchises able to compete for league titles year after year in the cyclical cycle of major junior (at least before the NCAA rule change), the Wildcats will be a fascinating case study.

The team has taken full advantage of the NCAA’s decision to allow CHL players to start playing U.S. college hockey this season. The Wildcats have a whopping nine American-born players on their roster, m

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