(Image Credit: Andy Devlin/LA Media)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

1-on-1 with the 14-year-old phenom

Podcast: The sickening stats of Madden Daneault’s record-breaking season

Mar 6, 2026 | 6:29 AM

Red Deer’s Madden Daneault is the embodiment of the age-old idiom, ‘The sky’s the limit.’

Just 14, though turning 15 in a couple months, the 5’10” 168 pound forward for the U15AAA Red Deer Rebels, just finished putting up an astonishing 149 points (65G, 84A) in his team’s 34-game season.

That’s an all-time record for his age level in Alberta, by the way, and even the fashion in which he completed the task is mind-boggling.

Two games left, 12 points back = no problem.

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The old record of 146 points dates back to 2012-13, and was held by former Edmonton Oiler and U15AAA SSAC Lion, turned German Elite League forward Tyler Benson. Benson did it in 33 games, so he technically boasts a slightly, and we mean slightly, better points/per game figure.

“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Daneault, the team’s captain, said of his final two games, beginning with a 13-1 drubbing. “They wanted me to break it, so they scored when I gave them the opportunity, and they gave me the puck where they got the opportunity. It was just great.”

Great indeed. Game 33 actually saw Daneault tally four goals and five assists, so the final matchup required a measly three to tie the record. He wound up with six.

“Being captain is a great honour, but I feel like I’m not the only captain on the team. I feel like anyone probably could have got it this year, everyone’s a leader, everyone does the right things, no one’s left out, and everyone just gels super good together,” he says.

“Our team motto is ‘brotherhood.’ It’s super awesome to be a part of.”

The single-season points record isn’t the sole one Daneault broke with his insane final two games.

AEHL U15 All-Time Points: Daneault: 244; Tyler Benson: 230

AEHL U15 All-Time Goals: Daneault: 104; Ty Rattie: 102

AEHL U15 All-Time Assists: Daneault: 140; Tyler Benson: 139

(Image Credit: Red Deer Minor Hockey)

Also this season: 7 goals, 8 assists over six games in the John Reid Memorial Tournament (plus bronze medal, tournament MVP, and top forward honours)

One might ask: How does a 14-year-old kid deal with the media and social media attention that comes with putting up such gaudy numbers?

It’s been a little bit crazy, admits Daneault, who actually does manage to hang out with his friends, play basketball, and even pickleball amid all the hoopla and school.

“It’s expected when you get to break a cool record like that. It’ll die down in the next couple days, and after we get to work in the playoffs, then hopefully get to go to provincials again,” he says.

“People may think I’m gifted, but they don’t see all the work that goes on behind the scenes with my family, teammates and coaches. We’ve got such a great group of guys this year that want to win every day.”

The team is the defending provincial champion, and Daneault is one of a small handful of players that was there a year ago.

Neither Daneault nor his head coach Justin Jarmolicz could’ve predicted the undefeated regular season record, but they do expect nothing less than wins going forward.

Jarmolicz spoke about not just Daneault, but two other star players the team had at its disposal this season — forward Finn Visser and blueliner Jevin Morrison.

Visser tallied 32 goals and 65 points in 32 games, while Morrison, who missed 10 games with injury, still put up 47 assists and 64 points in 24 games.

Jarmolicz says the team believes Morrison is the best d-man at this age level in western Canada.

“Obviously, these guys have a lot of room to grow, but all of their work ethic, that’s what it takes kids that are really good to be great, and they all have it. In fact, our whole team has that work ethic; it was a fun culture this year, the way our leaders led,” the coach says.

“It pulled everyone along, and developed even our younger guys, who are going to be great for us next season. They all work harder than anybody.”

On Daneault’s disgusting stat-line, and work as a captain on and off the ice, his praise can’t be understated.

“You’re always going to find ways to help him get better and surround him with people who are going to help him succeed. He also did a good job of helping everybody on our team succeed,” says Jarmolicz.

“He’s not one-dimensional, and he’s a 200-foot guy. He blocks shots, he wins faceoffs, he creates offense for everybody, and he can score. If he’s not doing those things, he’ll run a guy over on the forecheck. That’s what makes him special; he’s the complete package.”

Jarmolicz says Daneault’s commitment off the ice, be it with dryland training, or how he treats family, or kids who want an autograph, shows that he is mature beyond his years.

So what’s next for young Daneault, and where could the road eventually lead him?

Following the conclusion of his season, he’s eligible for the WHL Prospects Draft in May, and will undoubtedly be a top pick, if not first overall.

Left photo: Middlw brother Easton (hat), oldest brother Ty (sitting), and Madden (right), the Daneault kids. (Image Credit: Supplied)

He’ll be NHL Draft-eligible in 2029.

“I mean, NHL is obviously the goal for a young kid growing up loving the game of hockey, and yeah, I’ve got the WHL on my mind right now. I’m getting highly talked about so I feel like that’d be really cool to be able to play in that high-end league filled with great players right now,” says Daneault, who fancies himself a bit of an Auston Matthews or Connor McDavid-type.

“I’m just looking forward to living my dream, hopefully in the WHL and then hopefully moving onto the NHL.”

When those opportunities come, he also hopes there could be a time he plays with his older brothers Easton and Ty.

Easton, 17 and a forward with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, was named CJHL and AJHL Rookie of the Year for the 2024-25 season, playing in Drumheller. He has committed to Merrimack College for next season. Ty, 21, is a forward for Merrimack already, and went unselected at the 2023 NHL Draft despite being ranked by NHL Central Scouting.

Both have been role models for Madden.

“They got me into the game of hockey and made me love it since I could walk. Just playing mini sticks with them, and street hockey, rollerblading out front, that’s when I really fell in love with hockey. They’ve pushed me ever since to get better every day,” the 14-year-old says.

“Having them teaching me things has been huge for my success, and I’m just really thankful for them.

The Rebels began their playoff run against the Airdrie Xtreme on March 4 at Servus Arena, winning 8-3 — Daneault had three goals on three shots, plus an assist. The series resumes March 7 at Ron Ebbesen Arena (4:45 p.m.), and if necessary, March 8 at Servus Arena (3:30 p.m.). Red Deer owned Airdrie this season, with Daneault putting up seven goals and seven assists in four games head-to-head.

Provincials are slated for March 19-22 in Sherwood Park.