Lewiston loss was Sherbrooke’s gain.

In an ironic role reversal of a February news conference eight years ago, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Commissioner Gilles Courteau stood alongside dignitaries from the City of Sherbrooke, Quebec, proudly announcing the return to that city of QMJHL hockey for the 2012-13 season.

“Everything that has been presented is extraordinary,” Courteau said during the press conference following a Sherbrooke City Council meeting. “I want to congratulate the initiative of Jocelyn (Thibault) and the investors.”

The length of the lease is 15 years at $95,000 per year. In the deal, the new team — yet to be named — will have access to administrative offices, locker rooms, a weight room, a restaurant, and a bar. The club will also be allowed to hold special events at the Leopold-Drolet Sports Centre.

In February 2003, Courteau stood alongside Lewiston dignitaries at USM-LAC, trumpeting the league’s arrival in Lewiston — from Sherbrooke. Eight seasons, one league title and a pair of failed relocation attempts later, the league purchased the financially struggling franchise from majority owner Mark Just and minority owners Wendell Young and Paul Spellman on Tuesday and will fold it.

At the same special owners’ meeting, the league approved an expansion franchise for Sherbrooke, to a group led by Thibeault, a former NHL goalie.

“There are thousands of kids who play hockey in Sherbrooke,” Thibeault said at the news conference. “This team will give them role models that they can look up to.”

The Maineiacs’ franchise, which is now defunct, began as one of the original members of the QMJHL in 1969 as the Trois Rivieres Ducs. The franchise changed names, becoming the Trois Rivieres Draveurs in 1973, and then changed cities in 1992, becoming the Sherbrooke Faucons. Another name change when Mark Just purchased the team in 1998 created the Cherbrooke Castors, who then moved to Lewiston in 2003 to become the Maineiacs.

The Lewiston franchise was one of five original QMJHL franchises still operating, though Shawinigan is the only team still in its original city among that group.

Other original teams still operating include Acadie-Bathurst (originally Rosemont), Rimouski (Sherbrooke) and Cape Breton (Sorel).

The league has scheduled a dispersal draft for the Maineiacs’ players for Friday at noon. According to the QMJHL, players and the Maineiacs’ draft picks will be available during the two-round draft, and any player not selected will in turn re-enter the league’s general entry draft, scheduled for Saturday.