Canadian Teams Back In The NHL?

There’s huge talk. In fact, the National Hockey League is sounding off that it’s considering going back to Canadian hockey markets, Quebec City & Winnipeg. Southern Ontario is a huge market and Hamilton is rumored too.

Quebec City mayor, Regis Lebaume and former Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut met October 9th with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

It looks promising. Quebec has set in motion funding support for a new $250 million, 18,000 seat NHL sized arena.

Quebec investors seem hopeful and are betting on a retour of the famous team to provide the rivalry needed against arch enemies, Montreal Canadiens.

You may remember due to the weak Canadian dollar, the Nordiques packed up and left to Colorado in 1995. The Jets flew off to Phoenix in 1996.

This past summer, billionaire Jim Balsillie tried to buy Phoenix and move it to Hamilton, Ontario. With much rankling and no luck the Coyotes are struggling and gasping for air in the desert. Bettman was looking to Winnipeg as a possible destination for the sorry looking Coyotes. A new Canadian home would be healthy. Winnipeg has a new 15,000 arena but an owner has yet to be found.

As many as ten teams are in financial disarray, Atlanta, Florida, Dallas, Tampa & NY Islanders are heading the troubled list.

There’s talk of relocation and positive change is in the air. Quebec City & Winnipeg are anxiously waiting!

Written by Richard Lee
www.cyclingart.blogspot.com