How 14 QMJHL Teams Got Their Names
By Distributel
So many great teams in the QMJHL (that’s the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League), and so many great team names.
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada began life as the St. John’s Fog Devils. However, they moved to Montreal in 2008, becoming the Montreal Junior Hockey Club, and then moved to Blainville-Boisbriand in 2011 and became the Armada.
Gatineau Olympiques
Previously the Hull Festivals, the team suffered a few years of financial troubles. In 1976, the city of Hull formally took over the team and mayor Gilles Rocheleau suggested a new name, the Olympiques. The name proved popular and they kept the name when Hull joined Gatineau.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Previously the Montreal Junior Canadiens, the team moved to Rouyn-Noranda in 1996. The ownership decided to change the name to the Huskies, because they thought it would reflect the tough nature of the local copper miners.
Drummondville Voltigeurs
Founded in 1982, the Drummondville Voltigeurs were named for the Canadian Voltigeurs, which was a light infantry regiment raised to fight in the War of 1812.
Shawinigan Cataractes
Previously the Shawinigan Bruins and then the Shawinigan Dynamos, the Shawinigan Cataractes are now named for the Shawinigan Falls, a prominent waterfall in the city.
Victoriaville Tigres
Originally the Longueuil Chevaliers, the team moved to Victoriaville in 1987. Victoriaville was home to several historic teams named the Tigres, so the current Tigres took inspiration there.
Baie-Comeau Drakkar
The Baie-Comeau Drakkar have been around since 1997. A drakkar is a type of Viking longship, which you can see here.
Quebec Remparts
The current Quebec Remparts was founded in 1997, but they’re named for the original Quebec Remparts founded in 1969. Of course, they were named for the ramparts of Quebec City.
Rimouski Océanic
Once the Sherbrooke Castors, the team moved to Rimouski in 1995 and was renamed the Océanic, which is appropriate for a team in a seaside town.
Acadie–Bathurst Titan
The Titan used to be the Laval Titan before moving to Bathurst. However, the team is known as the Acadie–Bathurst Titan thanks to the Acadian population of the region.
Cape Breton Eagles
This team has been the Sorel Éperviers, the Verdun Éperviers, the Granby Bisons, the Granby Prédateurs, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, and now finally the Cape Breton Eagles. The name was shortened in 2019 as part of a rebrand.
Charlottetown Islanders
The Charlottetown Islanders used to be the Montreal Rocket, named for Maurice “Rocket” Richard. They relocated to PEI in 2003 but retained the name Rocket. They renamed themselves the Islanders in 2013, which makes a lot more sense.
Halifax Mooseheads
Back in 1993, the QMJHL was all Quebec teams, and it was considered a bit of a folly to expand to the Maritimes. However, a brewery executive named Harold MacKay lobbied hard to get a team in Halifax and won the backing of Moosehead Brewery CEO Derek Oland.
Saint John Sea Dogs
The Sea Dogs were founded in 2005, when Saint John was granted an expansion team. They were called the Sea Dogs from the beginning. A sea dog is, of course, an experienced sailor, or a harbour seal.