The LNAH News Void and the Fan Chatter Filling It

With nothing but silence coming from the LNAH on the fate of the Petrioliers Franchise, including the potential relocation to Ottawa, all fans can do is speculate about what’s next. The fact that there hasn’t been a dispersal draft says that, for one reason or another, the league is keeping the roster together. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some markets where fans have generated significant on-line chatter about wanting to land the team. 

For starters, there’s Laval. Yes, Laval. The municipality and facility didn’t get kicked out of the league, just the team (or more likely, the owners). Laval would present the easiest “relocation” of the franchise to a new ownership group. This would be the best bet to keep the roster together, maintain the healthy sponsorship of the area, and repair things with the current fan base. The drawback to Laval would come from the optics that the “move” didn’t really change anything.  Additionally, this would leave the potential for a continuation of issues brought up by fans regarding game night problems at the Colisee. Finally, the Colisee just got a lot more crowded with the relocation of a Senior AAA team (District HC) who will soon be locking up the majority of weekend dates. 

Staying on the Island, there’s Verdun. A former LNAH Market, Verdun would represent a diagonal move to the Southwest side of Montreal. On the positive, Verdun would allow for many, if not all, of the advantages of remaining in Laval while avoiding the optics pitfall. A once working class neighborhood, Verdun has gentrified rapidly in recent years. With arena repairs, renewed Metro service, a new restaurant and bar scene, and a population with vastly increased disposable income, the municipality has overcome many of the factors that limited previous QMJHL and LNAH tenants. A big negative could be the size of the arena. At 4,100 seats, the Verdun Auditorium would be cavernous when paired with the league’s 1,100 attendance average.  

Moving North there’s Saint-Jerome, home to the highly successful Junior A Panthers of the QJHL, and the Riviere du Nord Arena. The Petroliers called Saint-Jerome, and its now-closed Melancon Arena, home for one season before relocating to Laval. The limited size of the remaining arena (1,100 seats and no boxes) would be a problem. Additionally, Saint-Jerome comes with significant LNAH baggage. During the Petroliers' season in Saint-Jerome, the team and league found itself in the national spotlight over a racially charged incident during a game. Following the Petroliers' departure, the city said it would be focusing on minor hockey only. Adding it all up, it’s safe to say that Saint-Jerome is a no-go.  

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Representing only a minor expansion of the league’s current footprint, Saint-Jean and its Colisee Isabelle-Brasseur is another former LNAH market that could be ready for a return. With just under 100,000 residents, a 1,700 seat arena and no current team, Saint-Jean seems to be a logical fit.

Finally, there’s Granby. This was more of an individual proclamation than actual chatter, but why not round this out with the home of the Bison. Granby, Like Saint-Jean, is a former LNAH market which would only slightly expand the league’s footprint. Granby’s appeal is that it’s currently home to the Bison who represent the top of the food chain in attendance, merchandising and on-ice performance of the LHSAAAQ. The Bison’s success at the senior AAA level makes it a gold mine, so there’s no reason for them to take on the added expense of moving up to the more costly LNAH.  At just over 70,000 people, it's unlikely that Granby could support a second team. It’s probably safe to say this isn’t much of an option.

All of this is, again, on-line chatter from fans stating how their town or arena would be a good fit to host the team. The league has only said that it is prepared to operate the coming season with seven teams, and that it has had discussions with a potential ownership group in Ottawa. Otherwise, there’s been silence, and the fan chatter filling it.