Canucks prospect Basile Sansonnens heading to North America this season

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Cooper Godin
August 27, 2024 (11:24)

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Vancouver Canucks prospect Basile Sansonnens is heading to North America this season.

After being selected in the CHL Import Draft earlier this summer, Basile Sansonnens had an important decision to make - come over to North America to play junior or stay at home in Switzerland to develop in their professional league.

Either option would have been ideal for the Vancouver Canucks. Having Sansonnens in North America means they can keep a close eye on him, while him playing in Switzerland would be great for his development as he'd be up against some tough competition in one of the top professional leagues in the world.

On Monday, Sansonnens made his decision and he's on his way to North America where he'll suit up for the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, who will host the 2025 Memorial Cup next May. However, Sansonnens time in the QMJHL may only be for the 2024-25 season as Lausanne HC, who he signed with back in the spring, say that he's apart of their long-term project and will return to the team after this coming campaign.

Note: the quotes in this story are translated from French.

"Basile is part of the foundation of our long-term project. This season in Canada will allow him to continue to develop and return next year with an important place in our first team. Rimouski is the right place for him this year, the Oceanic will host the Memorial Cup and the team has an ambitious project with high-quality players and staff.

I know the head coach well, Joel Perrault, whom I coached when I was with the Langnau Tigers. He is a very intelligent person who knows how Swiss and North American hockey works. Thanks to our relationship, we will be able to follow Basile's performances this season." Lausanne HC General Manager John Fust said.

Last season, Sansonnens spent the majority of his time in the Swiss U20 league with Gotteron U20, registering three points (one goal, two assists) and 35 penalty minutes in 40 games. He also made his National League debut, appearing in four games for HC Fribourg-Gotteron.

Sansonnens and the Rimouski Oceanic will open the 2024-25 season on Friday, September 20th against Baie-Comeau Drakkar.