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.

The 1980s

Forced to let all but three players go in a dispersal draft, the Nordiques were now an expansion team and sunk to the bottom. They finished the 1979-80 NHL season in last place despite the play of a promising rookie left winger named Michel Goulet. In 1980 the Nordiques signed Peter Stastny, a member of the Czechoslovak national team who defected earlier that year. His brothers, Anton and Marian, would soon follow and also sign with Québec. The following season, led by Stastny's 109-point Calder Trophy-winning performance, the Nordiques made the NHL playoffs for the first time but fell in five games to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Related Topics:
1979-80 NHL season - Michel Goulet - 1980 - Peter Stastny - Anton - Marian - Calder Trophy - Philadelphia Flyers

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Led by Goulet and Peter Stastny, the Nordiques remained contenders for several seasons. Québec again made the playoffs in 1981-82, disposed of the vaunted Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, but were swept by the New York Islanders dynasty in the conference finals.

Related Topics:
1981-82 - Montreal Canadiens - Boston Bruins - New York Islanders

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A rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens intensified during the 1983-84 NHL season culminating in the infamous "Vendredi Saint" brawl during the 1984 playoffs, after which the Habs elminated the Nordiques from the postseason.

Related Topics:
Montreal Canadiens - 1983-84 NHL season

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The following season Montreal and Québec battled each other for the Adams Division championship. The Habs won by three points, but the Nordiques would exact revenge in the playoffs with a seven-game victory which was clinched by Peter Stastny's overtime goal. They won their first NHL division title in 1985-86 but were met with a defensive collapse in the playoffs, allowing the Hartford Whalers to advance.

Related Topics:
Peter Stastny - 1985-86 - Hartford Whalers

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The next season saw more of the Nords-Habs rivalry as the playoff series went to a seven-game battle royale, with the Canadiens finally coming out on top. But this was the end of their relatively successful period as decline began the following season. The Nordiques finished last in their division and missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years. In 1988-89 they had the league's worst record. To make matters worse both Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny left the team in 1989, winding up with the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils respectively. The arrival of hall of famer Guy Lafleur in 1989 came with much fanfare, but it soon became clear Lafleur's best years were well behind him. "The Flower" managed only 24 goals in 98 games with Québec. Despite the stellar play of a young forward named Joe Sakic, the Nordiques struggled throughout the late 80s and early 90s.

Related Topics:
Canadiens - 1988-89 - 1989 - Chicago Blackhawks - New Jersey Devils - Guy Lafleur - Joe Sakic

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