Nordiques and Jets: Bring Them Back
Published October 12, 2009 @ 14:27 in Sports
On this Thanksgiving Monday, I'm thankful that I've never had to see I team I love move away. My Leafs are still here, my Jays are still here, my Raptors are still here... I've never had to experience what fans of the Vancouver Grizzlies, Montreal Expos, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets have. I've never had to have my heart ripped from my body. I can't imagine what that would feel like.
In the mid-90s, the NHL's Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets left their cities for Colorado and Phoenix. Now there's chatter that the NHL will consider returning teams to Quebec and Winnipeg, with a second team for southern Ontario also under consideration.
"We do have an interest in returning teams to Canadian cities that have hosted and supported NHL teams historically," deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Toronto Star in an email.
"Both Winnipeg and Quebec City have done that, so we'll see how things transpire. That doesn't mean southern Ontario won't or can't be considered. It will be."
On behalf of all Nordiques and Jets fans across this country, I sincerely hope the NHL does whatever it can to bring them back.
Pete McPhedran
October 12, 2009 / 15:42
I honestly hope neither Winnepeg nor Quebec gets a team. They couldn't support one in the past and very little has changed since then to suggest that either city could support them now except a massive economic slowdow/shutdown...
Their only saving grace right now is the Canadian dollar is about to eclipse the USD again, but that won't last long enough to support 2 more NHL teams.
I do see success with another team in Southern Ontario though.
As much as I'd love to see 3 more teams in Canada, I just don't see The 'Peg and Quebec being able to support them.
--Pete