This is another feather in the cap for Malatesta, in what became a very memorable 19 year old season in the CHL. He was named QMJHL playoff MVP last month, after scoring 14 goals in 18 games en route to Quebec winning the league title. He scored 5 goals in 4 games at the Memorial Cup tournament, helping lead his team to a 3-1 record, including the win in the final.
He becomes the first player to win the MVP Awards in both league playoffs, and the Memorial Cup; since Mitch Marner achieved the feat in 2016. He’s the first player from the QMJHL to achieve these feats since Jonathan Huberdeau in 2011.