Thetford Mines: The LNAH Original
While LNAH fans have been buzzing about the league’s latest entry from Manotick, ON we look back at the longest running franchise in the league. Going into the league’s 31’s year, Thetford Mines has been the lone constant. The owners and sponsors have changed, but the small market franchise in the Beauce continues to represent the bedrock of the league.
Starting as the QSPHL in 1996, the league had 13 teams including the Thetford Mines Coyotes. Similar to the current league, the footprint spanned the center of the province along an axis of the Saint Lawrence River. The league would change names 2003 before settling on the current LNAH moniker in 2004. During this time, teams and towns would come and go, but Thetford remained.
The Coyotes were owned by Gaston Gagne and helped the newly formed league establish its reputation as the toughest in the world. In the early fight happy days, the team iced notable tough guys like Pierre Morin, as well as its share of point-per-game players like Nick Perreault, Eric Roy and Jean Roberge, but never placed better than second in their division.
In 2000, the franchise made its first branding change, taking on the title sponsor Prolab. It was during the Prolab years that the franchise made its first finals appearance. Although the Prolab failed to bring a championship, it ushered in a level of consistency that began a run of 5 finals appearances between 2002 and 2009. Championship success wouldn’t happen until 2012, but the winning ways had begun.
In 2007 came changes to the ownership and title sponsor. Jean-Pierre Lessard introduced the Isothermic years, which included an important coaching change. In 2010, junior coach Bobby Baril stepped behind the bench where he has remained since. It took Baril only 2 seasons before winning the franchise's first championship in 2012. He’s since done it 3 more times, and holds the title as winningest coach in league history.
The team would change hands a second time in 2011 with the Bourque/Thibault/Cadorette group taking over. In 2015, the team made its most recent name change to Assurancia when the insurance giant became the title sponsor. In 2016 the team became the first in the league to reach the 500 win plateau.
Finally, Thetford Mines’ LNAH history can’t be discussed without mentioning it’s home at Centre Mario Gosselin. Built in 1964, the 2,500 seat arena is small by North American averages but normal for the league. It’s orange and blue bench style seats give it a truly unique look, and without much extra space, make the old building seem as noisy as facilities that accommodate many more fans.
With three ownerships, four names, and 30 seasons, the Assurancia can claim the title of the only LNAH franchise to play in every season, all in the same town. How long will it go? No one can say, but the legacy will add a new chapter when the puck drops on October 2nd.
Comments