I last visited Quebec in 1995.
That was also the last time the NHL was played there.
Now, years later, with the return of Winnipeg (gone since 1996), can the team that they became, Phoenix, come to Quebec?
I would like to see it.
I can give you three good reasons:
1) Back in the day of 24 NHL teams (The way it should be now, btw), I liked it that 1/3 of the teams were Canadian. Now with 30 teams, only 7 are Canadian. One more team gives me the feeling that a Stanley Cup can be won by a Canadian team. The odds just will go up, slightly.
2) I sort of liked the old Nords, as they were called. My favourite player was Peter Stastny, who could skate pass and score with everyone not named Gretzky in the early 80s. He ended up recording seven 100 + point seasons in Quebec City. Stastny was just fun to watch, go watch a classic hockey game with him in it!
Plus also, one of my favourite "finishers" played with Quebec. Michel Goulet. Every time the Nords would score at home, the Quebec PA announcer would say,
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooulet!
It was good.
So getting to the point, imagine if Quebec gets a player with a name anywhere near that name. Every time they score a goal...
3) For you Habs fans who don't care, remember when the Nords had the resurgence in 92/93? That first round matchup, propelled the Habs to the Stanley Cup.
They had not won one since.
But I suspect another team, one that could rival the Canadians (it was quite the rivalry from 1982 - 1993) would push the Habs. A team you compete against for standings, playoff series, but more importantly, geographical bragging rights is always great for both teams, and the NHL.
2) Nothing against Seattle, I don't want to see a team there. Sorry, but the Seattle Metropolitans were the first non Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, the first sign that United States was taking over hockey. Also that year (1917) was the last hockey year before the NHL was established that fall.
'sides, the city couldn't even support the Supersonics. Gary Payton was one of my favourite basketball players (Hey, how could I not like him after holding MJ himself to 51-123, 27.3/5.3/4.2 in the '96 NBA Finals), so I got nothing against Seattle. Get an NBA back first before getting an NHL team.
1) It'll piss Bettman off, something that we all like! After all, despite missing the playoffs, haven't we all enjoyed Winnipeg's year this year (with one obvious exception). Quebec will be in the Eastern Conference, one more Canadian stop for Sid and Alex!
And perhaps, just perhaps, we'll have Patrick Roy behind the bench. And maybe, just maybe, we'll have in goal for Quebec against Montreal. How many of you Nords always thought that was just a dream?
That was also the last time the NHL was played there.
Now, years later, with the return of Winnipeg (gone since 1996), can the team that they became, Phoenix, come to Quebec?
I would like to see it.
I can give you three good reasons:
1) Back in the day of 24 NHL teams (The way it should be now, btw), I liked it that 1/3 of the teams were Canadian. Now with 30 teams, only 7 are Canadian. One more team gives me the feeling that a Stanley Cup can be won by a Canadian team. The odds just will go up, slightly.
2) I sort of liked the old Nords, as they were called. My favourite player was Peter Stastny, who could skate pass and score with everyone not named Gretzky in the early 80s. He ended up recording seven 100 + point seasons in Quebec City. Stastny was just fun to watch, go watch a classic hockey game with him in it!
Plus also, one of my favourite "finishers" played with Quebec. Michel Goulet. Every time the Nords would score at home, the Quebec PA announcer would say,
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooulet!
It was good.
So getting to the point, imagine if Quebec gets a player with a name anywhere near that name. Every time they score a goal...
3) For you Habs fans who don't care, remember when the Nords had the resurgence in 92/93? That first round matchup, propelled the Habs to the Stanley Cup.
They had not won one since.
But I suspect another team, one that could rival the Canadians (it was quite the rivalry from 1982 - 1993) would push the Habs. A team you compete against for standings, playoff series, but more importantly, geographical bragging rights is always great for both teams, and the NHL.
2) Nothing against Seattle, I don't want to see a team there. Sorry, but the Seattle Metropolitans were the first non Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, the first sign that United States was taking over hockey. Also that year (1917) was the last hockey year before the NHL was established that fall.
'sides, the city couldn't even support the Supersonics. Gary Payton was one of my favourite basketball players (Hey, how could I not like him after holding MJ himself to 51-123, 27.3/5.3/4.2 in the '96 NBA Finals), so I got nothing against Seattle. Get an NBA back first before getting an NHL team.
1) It'll piss Bettman off, something that we all like! After all, despite missing the playoffs, haven't we all enjoyed Winnipeg's year this year (with one obvious exception). Quebec will be in the Eastern Conference, one more Canadian stop for Sid and Alex!
And perhaps, just perhaps, we'll have Patrick Roy behind the bench. And maybe, just maybe, we'll have in goal for Quebec against Montreal. How many of you Nords always thought that was just a dream?
Agree with most of your article, but would like to see 18 teams tops in the league. I think then it would be VERY competitive, and we can say goodbye to so many of those fringe cities where their sports writers don't travel with the team...
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