Québec Nordiques

The Québec Nordiques (translated into English as "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Québec City, Québec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972-1979) and the National Hockey League (1979-1995). The franchise was relocated to Denver in 1995 and renamed the Colorado Avalanche.

Beginnings in the WHA

The Québec Nordiques formed as one of the original World Hockey Association teams in 1972. The franchise was originally awarded to a group in San Francisco but hastily moved to Québec City after the deal with the California group fell thorough. The team was named the Nordiques because Québec City was the northernmost of the original WHA cities.

Related Topics:
World Hockey Association - 1972 - San Francisco

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Nordiques' first head coach was the legendary Maurice "Rocket" Richard but he only lasted one game, a 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Crusaders. The "Rocket" decided coaching wasn't his forte and stepped down.

Related Topics:
Maurice "Rocket" Richard - Cleveland Crusaders

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Nordiques' first star was two-way defenceman J.C. Tremblay, who led the WHA in assists in the league's first season. The next season Serge Bernier and Rejean Houle joined the Nordiques. In 1974-75, they finally made the playoffs with the help of the high-scoring Marc Tardif. They beat the Phoenix Roadrunners and the Minnesota Fighting Saints to reach the finals, where they were swept in four games by the Gordie Howe-led Houston Aeros.

Related Topics:
J.C. Tremblay - Serge Bernier - Rejean Houle - Marc Tardif - Phoenix Roadrunners - Minnesota Fighting Saints - Gordie Howe - Houston Aeros

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next season saw playoff disappointment as the Nordiques lost to the Calgary Cowboys after losing Marc Tardif to injury after a controversial hit by the Cowboys' Rick Jodzio. The Nordiques finally captured the Avco World Trophy in 1976-77 as they took out the New England Whalers and the Indianapolis Racers in five games before beating the Winnipeg Jets in seven.

Related Topics:
Calgary Cowboys - Marc Tardif - Avco World Trophy - New England Whalers - Indianapolis Racers - Winnipeg Jets

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By 1978 the WHA was on shaky ground. The Nordiques were unable to defend their title and fell in the playoffs to the New England Whalers. The 1978-79 season would be the final one for the WHA and for J.C. Tremblay, who retired at the end of the season and had his number 3 retired before the Nordiques merged into the National Hockey League together with three other WHA teams, the Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers, and the Edmonton Oilers.

Related Topics:
1978 - New England Whalers - 1978-79 - National Hockey League - Winnipeg Jets - Edmonton Oilers

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~