All Roads Lead to Rimouski

Starting this weekend the Canadian Hockey League’s biggest prize, the Memorial Cup, will be fought for and won in Rimouski. Sports fans may want to know more about the Cup, while those of Quebec Heritage may want to know more about the host city. Let's see how they fit together in the 105th version of the event.

The Memorial Cup: the tournament of league champions. Canada’s top Junior Hockey Circuit, the CHL, develops about 40% of all NHLers. The circuit is split into three geographic leagues who never play one another during the season. Each has its own playoff and crowns its own champion. Then the three league champions go at it in the Memorial Cup Tournament. Three is an odd number for a tournament, so each year one lucky city hosts the tournament, and its team gets an automatic bid. This year, it’s Rimouski.

Yes, Rimouski. That not-so-French sounding city we’ve probably heard of, can probably find on a map, might have some family connection to, and….have probably never been to. 

Sitting on the South Shore of the Saint Lawrence River, Rimouski is the last major population center on the way out to the Gaspesie. With a population of around 50,000 people, it can claim status as the largest municipality in the Bas Saint Laurent Region. 

Established as a Seigneury in 1696, it became incorporated as a town in 1869 as Saint-Germain-de-Rimouski and finally obtained its current name in 1920. Although the name is derived from a Micmac word regarding moose, its status as a settlement has always been associated with the Saint Lawrence River.

Its status as a port began in 1854 when the first ship arrived at the Rimouski Wharf. Shipping volume would grow significantly in 1900 when rail service arrived, allowing goods to be unloaded and moved much faster than by boats needing an extra day to navigate upriver to Montreal. Today, the Port of Rimouski is a full-service operation for loading, unloading and fueling cargo ships as well as a home and destination for cruise ships. 

The educational sector has capitalized on the river as well with the Marine Science Institute at University of Quebec at Rimouski, the Maritime Institute at CEGEP de Rimouski, and the Point au Pere Maritime Museum. 

The educational institutions have allowed the city to grow and prosper far beyond just the port and rapidly growing blue technology sector. Today, graduates find jobs in the city’s growing international trade, precision manufacturing, and healthcare markets. 

These same young professionals have continued to attract large scale events, bolstering the City’s reputation for tourism and entertainment.  Year-round festivals and a bustling downtown have contributed to Rimouski’s reputation as the number one event destination East of Quebec City.  

These factors all play into Rimouski’s identity: port city, college town, modern employer, and vacation destination. Combined with being the hub of the region, Rimouski is a logical place for a large-scale indoor entertainment venue. In 1966, the 4000 seat Rimouski Coliseum (now the Sun Life Financial Coliseum) was constructed. The coliseum has been home to the 3-time QMJHL Champion Rimouski Oceanic since 1995 and was the Memorial Cup host in 2009. This weekend, the tournament returns to Rimouski for the second time. 

Will we go there this weekend? Probably not. Should we go there at some point? Absolutely. Young or old, hockey or festival fan, French speaking or not, Rimouski is a gem waiting for us to explore. Now let's play some hockey!