Territorial Rights in Shawinigan

When the story of a team’s desired relocation broke on February 11th, it seemed like the City of Shawinigan was in for a hockey treat- a second team. There were discussions between a prospective Senior AAA team and the city, but there was a catch: an exclusivity agreement between the local QMJHL team and the city. Over the past week, the issue has become a bit of a flashpoint in the city and its hockey community. 

When the BSR ownership group purchased the La Tuque Wolves franchise at the end of the LHSAAAQ’s 2025 Season, the desire was to relocate it to Grand-Mere, a borough of Shawinigan. During private negotiations, a deal couldn’t be reached in time for the 2025-26 season, so the team was moved to Nicolet. With the current season’s relocation deadline approaching, a public announcement was made that the team was again in talks with Shawinigan for use of the Grand-Mere Arena. 

Based on the initial story in the Hebdo du Saint-Maurice, it seemed negotiations were progressing with typical lease items like facility costs, concession proceeds and on-ice advertising. An X-Factor was introduced, however, that was beyond the lease of the city-owned arena.  The Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL, who play at the nearby Gervais Auto Center, have the option to veto any “major team” wanting to enter the city. 

At the time of the initial article, the veto option appeared to be nothing more than a simple line item in the negotiations. The BSR Group had offered to not schedule overlapping games with the Cataractes, not to target their sponsors, and to promote them during their own games. This was followed by days of silence. 

When a Radio Canada segment highlighted the story on the 25th, it was apparent that the issue was far from simple. The story seemed to favor the BSR Group, which brought about a passionate press release from the Cataractes that included financial history, the current ownership structure, two individuals who have shared histories with the Cataractes and the AAA group, and the impact from a previous senior team that existed in the city in the early 2000’s. This sparked a new round of newspaper articles and fan reactions from the region 

At the heart of the issues are the finances. The Cataractes are owned by a group of 18 investors who purchased the team out of bankruptcy in 2007. This group wanted, and obtained, assurances from the city that they would be the only major team in the city. This group pointed to the significant financial impact the franchise incurred the last time a senior team was in town.

Sprinkled into the financial chatter were two links between the AAA league and the QMJHL team. While no accusations were made by either team, there were insinuations that Cataractes GM Martin Mondou, a former AAA employee, invoked the veto. This was denied by the Cataractes, pointing to the decision being that of the 18 person ownership group. Conversely, a former Cataractes employee, who left the team and was not welcomed back, is part of the BSR group. Insinuations that Claude Vallee was acting in bad faith toward his former employer were raised and denied by the BSR Group. 

All of this comes with the backdrop of a small, isolated market whose median income was 23% below the provincial average as of 2021. A team operating out of the Grand-Mere Arena could breathe life into the surrounding neighborhood but could draw critical funds away from the big money team that already provides a much-needed boost to the city as a whole. There are also the fans who either will or won't have a choice in the matter. Both have become hot button topics over the past week.

Finally, the clock is ticking. Should the BSR Group not get a deal done in Shawinigan, the team may have to go dormant for the 2026-27 season as the bridge is clearly burned in Nicolet. The initial Hebdo article included a three week timeframe to get the deal done, so the clock is about to strike midnight.