Road to Centennial Cup 2023: Brooks Bandits

Road to Centennial Cup 2023: Brooks Bandits

On this Quebec National Day, let’s highlight some moments from Quebec figures who fell in love with the world of ice hockey and who marked the first half of 2022.

Happy Saint John everyone!

Today, before or after a good poutine at dinner and the fireworks in the evening, let’s take the time to look back at the exploits accomplished by Quebec figures who have shone at provincial, national or international levels since the beginning of the year!

WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM

Let’s start with the team that brought home one of four gold medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Marie-Philip Poulin again led the team with six goals and 11 assists in seven games, including a three-point performance in the gold medal game against the United States. Also note Ann-Renée Desbiens’ excellent position at the net, as evidenced by her 1.80 goal-against average and .940 save in five games.

A few months earlier, Mélodie Daoust led Canada to an 11th place e Women’s World Cup title with six goals and as many assists in seven games. In addition to being voted into the tournament’s All-Star Team, Daoust was also named the competition’s Most Valuable Player.

More recently

Alexia Aubin and Karel Préfontaine contributed to the conquest of the gold medal

at the U18 Women’s World Championship. Aubin finished first in the team classification with five points, while Préfontaine had four points.

MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM

The team that took part in the Men’s World Championship, held in Finland, was led by Thomas Chabot, who had been appointed team captain. Pierre-Luc Dubois, one of the assistant captains, finished the tournament with seven goals and six assists among the top scorers.

During the Beijing Olympics, Maxim Noreau and David Desharnais were key elements of the Canadian lineup.

Noreau finished the competition with one goal and three assists

while Desharnais received an assist.

PARALYMPIC NATIONAL TEAM

Antoine Lehoux received an assist during the para hockey tournament at the Paralympic Games. The 28-year-old made his first appearance at the Games since he wasn’t selected in 2018.

Dominic Larocque had two shutouts in four games – including one shared. It was the goalkeeper’s third appearance at the Paralympic Games.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

At the TELUS Cup, the Cantonniers de Magog made it to the tournament finals in Okotoks, Alberta. Two goals down against the Moncton Flyers in the final minutes of the game, the Quebec side managed to level the game with just a few seconds left in regular time. However, extra time ended in a setback for Stéphane Robidas’ men.

As for the Centennial Cup presented by Tim Hortons, the Collège Français de Longueuil reached the semifinals before losing to the Brooks Bandits who would eventually win the top honors of this Junior A hockey tournament held in Estevan, Saskatchewan.

Finally, the Remparts du Richelieu represented Quebec at the Esso Cup. However, the squad failed to qualify for the knockout stages.

WINNERS AND TROPHY WINNERS

Several Quebec figures were recognized

for their contribution to the world of ice hockey.

Pierre Verville won the Volunteer of the Year award after serving as the Quebec Ice Hockey Federation (FQHG) administrator for more than 50 years.

Joël Bouchard was awarded the Gordon Juckes Award to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development of amateur hockey in Canada at the national level.

Mélodie Daoust won the Isobel Gathorne Hardy Award, which recognizes an individual who has distinguished themselves through their dedication, leadership, community involvement and promotion of women’s hockey values.

Also, let’s not forget Patrice Bergeron, who won the Frank J Selke Trophy for the fifth time in his career, which is a record. This honor is given annually to the NHL’s top defensive forward.

OFFICIALS AND OFFICIALS

Élizabeth Mantha became the first woman to officiate a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) game on February 26. A few months earlier, the 31-year-old umpire was part of a group of 10 women assigned to American Hockey League (AHL) games. During her season, Mantha also made it to the Winter Olympics and was named one of two referees for the bronze medal game.

Olivier Gouin took part in his second matches as a referee and also made it into the bronze medal match.

PART OF A WORLD GAME ON QUEBEC GROUND

On March 6th, near Place Bell in Laval, the Canadian part of the

World Women’s Hockey Game

. The game between the Remparts du Richelieu and the Laval-Montreal Amazons ended in a 4-4 draw.

TRIBUTE TO TWO LEGENDS

After all, it was impossible not to return to the deaths of two great Quebec players.

Mike Bossy passed away on April 15 at the age of 65. He helped the New York Islanders win four straight Stanley Cups in the 1980s. The Montreal native is the only player in NHL history to score 50 goals in the following nine seasons. Bossy also represented Canada twice, at the 1981 and 1984 editions of the Canada Cup. He has 13 goals and 7 assists in 15 games. Bossy was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991 before being named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players at the league’s centenary celebrations in 2017.

Guy Lafleur died a week after Bossy’s death at the age of 70

. He won the Stanley Cup five times with the Montreal Canadiens before retiring from the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques. The Thurso native became the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals and 100 points in six straight seasons. Lafleur was part of the Canada teams at the 1976 and 1981 Canada Cup and the 1981 World Cup. He recorded four goals and 14 assists in 21 games. After his initial retirement, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 and, like Bossy, is listed among the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players.

What a start to the year for Quebec hockey personalities! The next few months will be just as enjoyable to follow.

Enjoy the good weather and have a nice national holiday!

Jillian Snider

Extreme problem solver. Professional web practitioner. Devoted pop culture enthusiast. Evil tv fan.

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