Longueuil Chevaliers
Encyclopedia
The Longueuil Chevaliers ("Cavaliers") were a junior ice hockey
team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
, playing in Longueuil, Quebec
at Colisée Jean Béliveau
. They were founded in 1982 and set a Canadian Hockey League
record for the most successful season ever by an expansion franchise, going 37-29-4 under the coaching of Jacques Lemaire
. Longueuil reached the league finals for the President's Cup
in both of their first two seasons. The Chevaliers finished runners-up both times losing to greater Montreal rival teams, the Verdun Juniors
in 1983, and the Laval Voisins in 1984.
Longueuil failed to qualify for the playoffs in their next two seasons, but in returned to the playoffs in 1987 coached by Guy Chouinard
. The team started the season with Guy Lapointe
as general manager, who was promoted to assistant coach with the Quebec Nordiques
mid-season. Lapointe was then replaced with Michel Larocque
. The Chevaliers survived the round-robin to start the post-season, then faced the Laval Titan
in the division finals. Laval won the first three games then Longueuil came back, winning four consecutive games and the series. Returning to the league finals, the Chevaliers defeated the Chicoutimi Saguenéens
. The Chevaliers travelled to Oshawa, Ontario
to compete in the 1987 Memorial Cup
versus the host Oshawa Generals
and the Medicine Hat Tigers
, finishing in third place.
However, low attendance doomed the team to failure and they moved to Victoriaville in 1987, becoming the Victoriaville Tigres
.
.
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
, playing in Longueuil, Quebec
Longueuil, Quebec
Longueuil is a city in the province of Quebec, Canada. It is the seat of the Montérégie administrative region and sits on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River directly across from Montreal. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census totaled 229,330, making it the third largest city in...
at Colisée Jean Béliveau
Colisée Jean Béliveau
The Colisée Jean Béliveau is a multi-purpose arena built in 1968 in Longueuil, Quebec, and home to the ice hockey team of Le Collège Français de Longueuil, that play in the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League...
. They were founded in 1982 and set a Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
record for the most successful season ever by an expansion franchise, going 37-29-4 under the coaching of Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
. Longueuil reached the league finals for the President's Cup
President's Cup (QMJHL)
The President's Cup is awarded annually by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to the league's playoffs champion.--Winners—Teams that went on to win the Memorial Cup are listed in bold font.-External links:* List of trophy winners....
in both of their first two seasons. The Chevaliers finished runners-up both times losing to greater Montreal rival teams, the Verdun Juniors
Verdun Juniors
The Verdun Juniors were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1982 to 1984. They played at the Verdun Auditorium.-History:The Verdun Juniors were assembled by general manager Eric Taylor, and coached by Pierre Creamer...
in 1983, and the Laval Voisins in 1984.
Longueuil failed to qualify for the playoffs in their next two seasons, but in returned to the playoffs in 1987 coached by Guy Chouinard
Guy Chouinard
Guy Camil "Gramps" Chouinard is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the 1970s and 80's for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues...
. The team started the season with Guy Lapointe
Guy Lapointe
Guy Gerard "Pointu" Lapointe is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League...
as general manager, who was promoted to assistant coach with the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
mid-season. Lapointe was then replaced with Michel Larocque
Michel Larocque
Michel Raymond "Bunny" Larocque was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League....
. The Chevaliers survived the round-robin to start the post-season, then faced the Laval Titan
Laval Titan
The Laval Titan was one of the names used by a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League franchise that played in Laval, Quebec, between 1971 and 1998.-History:...
in the division finals. Laval won the first three games then Longueuil came back, winning four consecutive games and the series. Returning to the league finals, the Chevaliers defeated the Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Chicoutimi Saguenéens
The Chicoutimi Saguenéens are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team is based out of Chicoutimi, Quebec . The team plays its home games at the Centre Georges-Vézina.-History:...
. The Chevaliers travelled to Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
to compete in the 1987 Memorial Cup
1987 Memorial Cup
The 1987 Memorial Cup occurred May 9-May 15 at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium in Oshawa, Ontario. Oshawa earned the right to host by winning a "Super Series" between themselves and the champions of the Emms Division, the North Bay Centennials. Given that Oshawa defeated North Bay in the OHL finals as...
versus the host Oshawa Generals
Oshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
and the Medicine Hat Tigers
Medicine Hat Tigers
The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena....
, finishing in third place.
However, low attendance doomed the team to failure and they moved to Victoriaville in 1987, becoming the Victoriaville Tigres
Victoriaville Tigres
The Victoriaville Tigres are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team is based out of Victoriaville, Quebec. The team plays its home games at the Colisée Desjardins.-History:...
.
NHL alumni
Ten alumni who played for Longueuil in the QMHL also played in the NHLNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
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