This 2003-04 hockey season celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. What better anniversary gift than to open up the U.S. market with a major junior hockey franchise placed in the welcoming community of Lewiston-Auburn?
For Gilles Courteau, Commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the relocation of the Sherbrooke Castors to Lewiston was synergistic, everything coming together in the right place and time.
“In the early 80’s,” explains Courteau, sharing a bit of history, “The league awarded a franchise to Plattsburgh, New York. The endeavor was not successful, due in part to a lack of local community involvement. More importantly, the league was not ready for a franchise.”
Over the course of years, the league continued to receive to requests for a franchise in the U.S. It wasn’t until Mark Just, owner of the Sherbrooke Castors, came to Courteau with a presentation from Lewiston that the league’s interest in a U.S. franchise was sparked to action.
“We were very satisfied and pleased with the City of Lewiston’s proposal for bringing a major junior hockey team to their community. They had a clear, comprehensive plan for how they would become part of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League,” confirms Courteau. He further elaborates. “I was very impressed with the City of Lewiston’s support of Roger Therriault, how they worked in partnership to bring about the facility renovations in accordance with league requests and recommendations.”
Courteau saw first hand the community’s enthusiasm for Quebec Major Junior Hockey at the very first press conference where the awarding of the franchise to Lewiston was announced. Says Courteau, “I have never seen so many people at a press conference. There was so much enthusiasm.”
As the Platzburg franchise demonstrated, community involvement in the team is key to its success. What the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has accomplished in the Martitimes, is what Courteau anticipates for Lewiston-Auburn. With active community involvement and a supportive fan base, the league expects success to follow the league into the U.S. market
“Having a franchise in the U.S. will give U.S. hockey players greater exposure to the Quebec Junior Major Hockey League,” explains Courteau.
For future expansion in the U.S., the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has exclusive territories in New England. For now, however, the league is committed to the success of the Lewiston-Auburn franchise.
“We really want to provide Lewiston with a solid foundation on which to build this team and achieve success within the central Maine area. Lewiston is where we are focusing all our energy in the U.S .,” confirms Courteau.
Meanwhile, the Lewiston-Auburn community continues rising to the challenge of helping their Lewiston MAINEiacs find success in their new home. From billet families housing and caring for players to business leaders dedicating their time to raising awareness within the corporate community of the significant role they play in the economic success of the team, it would seem Courteau’s vision for what Lewiston will become is already taking shape. Time will tell if this community, one day, becomes the flagship for other Quebec Major Junior Hockey franchises throughout the U.S..
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