It's Here! Opening Weekend in the Q

We’re in the final countdown to the QMJHL’s opening weekend. The season opens this Thursday, setting the stage for a four night event. Things get started with a single game Thursday night, followed by all 18 teams playing Friday, and a mixture of all teams playing again Saturday and/or Sunday. The weekend won’t feature a banner raising but will give the league the chance to showcase its return to Saint Johns, NF.  In addition, three contenders will have the opportunity to make early season statements while enjoying everything from home ice advantage to the glitz and pageantry of one of junior hockey’s biggest stages.

Thursday: Saint Johns, NF. The city of Saint Johns has struggled to keep teams, but there has been no shortage of teams and leagues that have wanted to call the city home. Following the untimely passing of the ECHL’s Growlers in 2024, the QMJHL will return to the Mary Brown’s Centre (formerly Mile One Centre) for the first time since 2008. 

The Regiment, paying homage to the city's military history, is the relocation of the Titan from Bathurst, NB. The Titan held on for as long as they could in a market that was too small to support the cost of the modern game. Coming from a city of 12,000 people, the team will now have the chance to thrive in a 6,200 seat arena and a city well capable of providing the support needed. Fan support has not been an issue with the former teams. Pair that with a one year absence from the game, and it’s likely that viewers will witness a raucous reception from the home crowd.

Fans will also witness a team coming off a league championship, as Moncton will be in town for a two-night series. The Wildcats return a decent amount of their championship roster but, sadly, fans won't be treated to any potential of Caleb Desnoyers who is currently recovering from off season wrist surgery. 

Friday: Shawinigan. Simply put, this will be a great game. Everyone seems to agree that the Cataractes are one of the favorites, if not THE favorite, to take home Q’s Courteau Trophy at the end of the season. The team returns 17 players from last year’s squad that was a game 7 Double OT loss away from going to the championship round. Combined with the factors of the top-notch atmosphere at the Gervais Auto Center, and a visit from neighboring rival Victoriaville, this one will have everything viewers can ask for.

Saturday: Val d’Or. The Foreurs don’t have much star power, and have the unfortunate task of kicking off their season against a re-tooled, heavily augmented Blainville-Boisbriand squad that now boasts 2 NHL first round picks in Justin Carbonneau and Bill Zonnon. The Armada have a lot of newly acquired talent and may need some time to gel, but they get started the night before in Zonnon’s previous town, Rouyn-Noranda. Fans catching Saturday night’s game in Val d’Or should get to see a powerhouse team after a few of the opening night kinks have been worked out. The Armada are loaded and will be fun to watch. 

Sunday: Quebec. It wouldn’t be an opening weekend without the NHL-like atmosphere at  Videotron Center in Quebec City. The game is also a chance to check out Chicoutimi who comes in as the third team with a legitimate shot at the Courteau Trophy. Make no mistake, the Remparts will be a team to watch this season, but the Sagueneens will be the talent on display in this matchup. The Remparts, however, will provide an at or near capacity crowd and all the trimmings that will have fans again pointing to the city’s NHL potential. A good home team, a great visiting team and a game night production that’s the best in the league is sure to be a treat for fans. 

The NHL is still a few weeks away, but great hockey starts on the junior level this week. Along with the rest of the CHL, the Q is doing its part to get our favorite sports season started. The league has switched streaming providers to FloSports and will have all games available. The fun starts Thursday night.