Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Teams
Ice hockey has been a staple of Canadian culture for centuries, boasting an incredibly rich history, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) is one of the premier junior ice hockey leagues in the world. Founded in 1969, the QMJHL is made up of 18 teams, with 16 of them located in Quebec, and two in the Maritimes provinces, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. In this article, we'll take a closer look at each of the QMJHL teams and what makes them unique.
Baie-Comeau Drakkar
The Baie-Comeau Drakkar joined the QMJHL in 1997, and the team plays their games at the Centre Henry-Leonard. The team's name and logo are inspired by a Viking ship, and their colors are black, yellow, and white. The Drakkar has won the President's Cup once, in 2014, and their most notable alumni is Maxime Talbot, who won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009.
Bathurst Titan
The Bathurst Titan is one of the league's newer teams, joining in 1998, and they play their home games at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre. Their team colors are red, white, and black, and their logo features a giant robot. The Titan has won the President's Cup twice, in 2018 and 2021, and their most notable alumni is Patrice Bergeron, who has won four Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins.
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada is a relatively new team, joining the QMJHL in 2011. They play their games at the Centre d'Excellence Sports Rousseau and their colors are navy blue, silver, and white. The Armada won the President's Cup once, in 2013, and their most notable alumni is Anthony Mantha, who currently plays for the Washington Capitals in the NHL.
Cape Breton Eagles
The Cape Breton Eagles play their home games at the Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and their team colors are black, white, and red. The Eagles joined the QMJHL in 1997 and have yet to win the President's Cup. Their most notable alumni is James Sheppard, who was a first-round pick in the 2006 NHL Draft and played for several NHL teams throughout his career.
Charlottetown Islanders
The Charlottetown Islanders are based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and they play their home games at the Eastlink Centre. Their team colors are black, white, and gold, and their logo features a character called Rocky, a reference to the island's red sandstone cliffs. The Islanders have yet to win the President's Cup, but their most notable alumni is Teddy Purcell, who played in the NHL for several years.
Chicoutimi Sagueneens
The Chicoutimi Sagueneens have been a part of the QMJHL since its inception in 1969, and they play their home games at the Centre Georges-Vézina. Their team colors are blue, white, and red, and their logo features a Saguenay ship. The Sagueneens have won the President's Cup three times, in 1991, 1994, and 2022. Their most notable alumni is Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine.
Drummondville Voltigeurs
The Drummondville Voltigeurs play their home games at the Centre Marcel Dionne and have been a part of the QMJHL since 1982. Their team colors are blue, white, and red, and their logo features a fighter pilot. The Voltigeurs have won the President's Cup twice, in 2009 and 2019, and their most notable alumni is Francis Bouillon, who played over 750 games in the NHL.
Gatineau Olympiques
The Gatineau Olympiques play their home games at the Robert Guertin Centre and have been a part of the QMJHL since 1973. Their team colors are blue, white, and red, and their logo features a bird of prey. The Olympiques have won the President's Cup three times, in 1997, 2003, and 2008, and their most notable alumni is Luc Robitaille, who is a Hockey Hall of Famer and one of the NHL's all-time leading scorers.
Halifax Mooseheads
The Halifax Mooseheads are one of the most successful teams in the QMJHL, having won the President's Cup four times, in 2013, 2019, 2020, and 2021. They play their home games at the Scotiabank Centre and their team colors are green, white, and black. The Mooseheads have produced several notable alumni, including Nathan MacKinnon, who won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2014, and Jonathan Drouin, who currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens.
Moncton Wildcats
The Moncton Wildcats are based in Moncton, New Brunswick, and they play their home games at the Avenir Centre. Their team colors are navy blue, white, and gold, and their logo features a wildcat. The Wildcats have won the President's Cup twice, in 2006 and 2010, and their most notable alumni is Randy Jones, who played over 300 games in the NHL.
Quebec Remparts
The Quebec Remparts are one of the oldest and most storied teams in the QMJHL, having been a part of the league since 1969. They play their home games at the Colisée Pepsi and their team colors are blue, white, and red. The Remparts have won the President's Cup six times, most recently in 2006, and their most notable alumni is Guy Lafleur, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NHL history.
Rimouski Océanic
The Rimouski Océanic play their home games at the Colisée Financière Sun Life and have been a part of the QMJHL since 1995. Their team colors are blue, white, and yellow, and their logo features a sea serpent. The Océanic have won the President's Cup twice, in 2000 and 2015, and their most notable alumni is Sidney Crosby, who is one of the greatest players in NHL history.
Saint John Sea Dogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs are based in Saint John, New Brunswick, and they play their home games at the TD Station. Their team colors are navy blue, white, and gold, and their logo features a fierce-looking dog. The Sea Dogs have won the President's Cup three times, in 2011, 2012, and 2017, and their most notable alumni is Nathan Beaulieu, who currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets.
Shawinigan Cataractes
The Shawinigan Cataractes play their home games at the Centre Gervais Auto and have been a part of the QMJHL since 1969. Their team colors are blue, white, and red, and their logo features a cat. The Cataractes have won the President's Cup three times, most recently in 2012, and their most notable alumni is Jean-Francois Damphousse, who played over 300 games in the NHL.
Sherbrooke Phoenix
The Sherbrooke Phoenix are a relatively new team, joining the QMJHL in 2012. They play their home games at the Palais des Sports Léopold-Drolet and their team colors are red, white, and black. The Phoenix have yet to win the President's Cup but have produced several notable alumni, including Daniel Audette, who currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens.
Val-d'Or Foreurs
The Val-d'Or Foreurs play their home games at the Centre Air Creebec and have been a part of the QMJHL since 1993. Their team colors are black, gold, and white, and their logo features a miner. The Foreurs have won the President's Cup twice, in 1998 and 2014, and their most notable alumni is Jose Theodore, who won the Hart and Vezina Trophies as the NHL's MVP and best goaltender, respectively, in 2002.
Victoriaville Tigres
The Victoriaville Tigres have been a part of the QMJHL since 1987 and play their home games at the Colisée Desjardins. Their team colors are orange, black, and white, and their logo features a tiger. The Tigres have yet to win the President's Cup but have produced several notable alumni, including Marco Scandella, who currently plays for the St. Louis Blues.
Conclusion
The QMJHL is home to some of the most talented young hockey players in the world, and each team has its own unique history and identity. From the storied Quebec Remparts to the up-and-coming Sherbrooke Phoenix, there is no shortage of exciting hockey to watch in the QMJHL. As the league continues to grow and evolve, it will be fascinating to see which teams emerge as the dominant forces in the years to come.
