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Quebec City pushing for another team
David Pagnotta, TheFourthPeriod.com, July 21, 2009 (from Sun Media story)
The city hasn't been the same since the Nordiques left for Colorado in 1995, but it appears the wheels are in motion to bring another NHL franchise to Quebec City.
Yesterday, Pierre Karl Peladeau, CEO of media company Quebecor, announced that he will be "seriously" involved in trying to lure an NHL team back to Quebec's capital.
"Quebec City is a hockey city ... much more than certain American cities with NHL teams," he said. "Quebec City has the potential to build a new arena and accommodate a hockey team, but it won’t be tomorrow. (We'll) have to be patient."
Quebecor was in the running to purchase the Montreal Canadiens, but the team was ultimately sold to the Molson brothers for $630 million.
Many people have voiced their concern with Quebec not having another team, but there were two major obstacles standing in their way.
The first was a new arena. The second was an ownership group with deep pockets.
A group of European investors has been reportedly willing to spend $200 million on a new facility if the Quebec government is willing to chip in close to $50 million.
Quebec premier Jean Charest said in Nov. 2008 that an investment of $50 million was a realistic option.
Providing the plans for a new arena are still available, it seems as if a potential ownership group is now in place.
"Quebec City has proven itself, and it's clear there's a market," former Canadiens head coach Jean Perron told Sun Media. "All the NHL owners who saw the Nordiques saw that it’s a great hockey town."
Having a new arena with a sound ownership group makes a strong argument for an NHL to return to the city.
Now, they must convince the NHL heads that it's a good idea.
---
Is this Peladeau's next move?
The talk has been getting louder for some months now, with corporate suites and deposits being taken for season tickets.
Aleksandr Medvedev, head of the KHL, was reported to have said he saw 'no reason' why Quebec City should not have an NHL franchise...
Coming soon?
Your thoughts...
David Pagnotta, TheFourthPeriod.com, July 21, 2009 (from Sun Media story)
The city hasn't been the same since the Nordiques left for Colorado in 1995, but it appears the wheels are in motion to bring another NHL franchise to Quebec City.
Yesterday, Pierre Karl Peladeau, CEO of media company Quebecor, announced that he will be "seriously" involved in trying to lure an NHL team back to Quebec's capital.
"Quebec City is a hockey city ... much more than certain American cities with NHL teams," he said. "Quebec City has the potential to build a new arena and accommodate a hockey team, but it won’t be tomorrow. (We'll) have to be patient."
Quebecor was in the running to purchase the Montreal Canadiens, but the team was ultimately sold to the Molson brothers for $630 million.
Many people have voiced their concern with Quebec not having another team, but there were two major obstacles standing in their way.
The first was a new arena. The second was an ownership group with deep pockets.
A group of European investors has been reportedly willing to spend $200 million on a new facility if the Quebec government is willing to chip in close to $50 million.
Quebec premier Jean Charest said in Nov. 2008 that an investment of $50 million was a realistic option.
Providing the plans for a new arena are still available, it seems as if a potential ownership group is now in place.
"Quebec City has proven itself, and it's clear there's a market," former Canadiens head coach Jean Perron told Sun Media. "All the NHL owners who saw the Nordiques saw that it’s a great hockey town."
Having a new arena with a sound ownership group makes a strong argument for an NHL to return to the city.
Now, they must convince the NHL heads that it's a good idea.
---
Is this Peladeau's next move?
The talk has been getting louder for some months now, with corporate suites and deposits being taken for season tickets.
Aleksandr Medvedev, head of the KHL, was reported to have said he saw 'no reason' why Quebec City should not have an NHL franchise...
Coming soon?
Your thoughts...
