Montreal Juniors

Montreal Juniors. The Montreal Juniors were a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) that played for three seasons from 2008 to 2011. Based in Montreal, Quebec, the franchise was a relocation of the St. John's Fog Devils and played its home games at the historic Verdun Auditorium. The team was owned by Farrel Miller, managed by Joël Bouchard, and coached by Pascal Vincent, establishing a competitive presence in the league's West Division before its subsequent move.

History

The franchise originated as the St. John's Fog Devils, which joined the QMJHL in 2005 as part of the league's expansion into Atlantic Canada. Following three seasons in Newfoundland and Labrador, ownership transferred to Farrel Miller, who relocated the team to Montreal in 2008, reviving the historic "Juniors" moniker previously used by the Montreal Junior Canadiens of the Ontario Hockey League. The new club played in the Verdun Auditorium, a venue with a rich history in Quebec junior hockey. The team's creation coincided with the departure of the Montreal Rocket to become the P.E.I. Rocket, leaving the city without a QMJHL franchise. After three seasons, citing arena limitations and financial challenges, the franchise was sold and moved to become the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in 2011, continuing its operations in the Montreal suburbs.

Championships and achievements

During its brief tenure, the Montreal Juniors were a consistent playoff contender, qualifying for the President's Cup playoffs in each of their three seasons. Their most successful campaign came in the 2009–10 season, where they finished second in the QMJHL West Division and advanced to the second round of the postseason. The team never captured a President's Cup championship or a Memorial Cup title. Individual player achievements were highlighted by Louis Leblanc being selected in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. Goaltender Jean-François Bérubé also posted notable performances, later embarking on a professional career that included time in the National Hockey League.

Notable players

Several players from the Montreal Juniors roster advanced to professional careers, primarily in the National Hockey League. The most prominent alumnus is Louis Leblanc, the team's star centre who was drafted 18th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2009. Goaltender Jean-François Bérubé played a key role for the Juniors before being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings and playing for several NHL clubs, including the New York Islanders. Other notable alumni include defenseman Charles-Olivier Roussel, a second-round pick of the Nashville Predators, and forward Trevor Parkes, who later played for the Detroit Red Wings organization. The team also featured Jonathan Huberdeau briefly as a call-up before his stellar career with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Season-by-season record

In their inaugural 2008–09 season, the Juniors posted a record of 32 wins and 35 losses, finishing fourth in the West Division and losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. The 2009–10 season was their best, with 39 wins and 53 points, earning a second-place division finish; they defeated the Gatineau Olympiques in the first round before falling to the Saint John Sea Dogs. Their final season in 2010–11 saw a record of 37 wins, finishing third in the division and suffering a first-round playoff exit to the Lewiston MAINEiacs. Over three regular seasons, the franchise accumulated a total of 108 wins and participated in nine playoff games, winning one series.

See also

* Quebec Major Junior Hockey League * St. John's Fog Devils * Blainville-Boisbriand Armada * Verdun Auditorium * Montreal Junior Canadiens * President's Cup (QMJHL)

Category:Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams Category:Sport in Montreal Category:Defunct ice hockey teams in Canada