The Trois-Rivières Lions have continued to shape their 2026-27 roster by signing centre Thomas Lacombe to an ECHL contract, the club announced this week. The 25-year-old Quebec native arrives after four seasons in USports with York University, bringing experience from junior and university ranks as the Lions prepare their professional forward corps.
From USports to the professional ranks
Lacombe spent his university career with York, where over four seasons he recorded 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points in 91 games. He becomes the second player who played in USports to commit to Trois-Rivières for next season, joining forward Vincent Nardone on the list of signees.
The signing continues a broader pattern for the Lions as they assemble a roster ahead of the 2026-27 ECHL campaign. As of the announcement, the club has 11 forwards, three defencemen and one goaltender under contract for the coming season.
"Les Lions de Trois-Rivières annoncent l’arrivée de Thomas Lacombe!"
Player background and development
A native of Boisbriand, Lacombe's path to Trois-Rivières included multiple levels of competition in North American junior leagues before his university tenure. He began in the NAHL with the New Jersey Titans during the 2018-19 season, producing five goals and five assists in 31 games.
He then spent parts of three seasons in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Across 110 regular-season games with the Armada, Lacombe totalled 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points, and he added one assist in five playoff games. He later moved to the MJAHL, where he enjoyed a productive year with the Summerside Western Capitals: 28 goals and 32 assists for 60 points in 38 games, plus five goals and seven assists in 14 playoff contests. He also appeared at the 2022 Centennial Cup, posting one goal and two assists in five games.
Those numbers show a player who developed scoring touch at the junior A level and steady production through university, traits the Lions will evaluate as they convert USports talent to the professional game.
- Position: Centre
- Age: 25
- Hometown: Boisbriand, Quebec
- Latest team: York University (USports)
| Team | League | Recorded stats (selected) |
|---|---|---|
| York University | USports | 17 G, 27 A, 44 Pts in 91 games |
| Blainville-Boisbriand Armada | QMJHL | 10 G, 21 A, 31 Pts in 110 games; 1 A in 5 playoff games |
| Summerside Western Capitals | MJAHL | 28 G, 32 A, 60 Pts in 38 games; 5 G, 7 A in 14 playoff games |
| New Jersey Titans | NAHL | 5 G, 5 A in 31 games (2018-19) |
Implications for the Lions
For Trois-Rivières, adding Lacombe provides depth down the middle and a player accustomed to different competitive environments in juniors and university hockey. The Lions have targeted USports talent this offseason and Lacombe reinforces that approach — a route that can supply players who are older, physically mature and often more experienced within systems that emphasise two-way play.
From a community perspective, the signing keeps the momentum of building a local pro hockey identity. The Lions' roster construction will be closely followed by fans in Trois-Rivières, where the team aims to be competitive in the ECHL while also developing prospects and connecting with regional hockey networks.
Further roster moves and details about the Lions’ training camp and season-opening plans have not been disclosed by the club beyond the current list of signed players.
The Lions and their supporters will now watch how Lacombe adapts to the faster pace and physicality of the ECHL — a common step for players transitioning from university hockey to the professional ranks.
