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For the original franchise, see Trois-Rivières Lions (1955–1960).

Trois-Rivières Lions
City Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
League ECHL
ConferenceEastern
DivisionNorth
Founded2021
Home arena Colisée Vidéotron
ColoursMetal grey, Quebec blue
   
Owner(s) Spire Sports + Entertainment
General managerRon Choules
Head coachRon Choules
Affiliates Montreal Canadiens ( NHL)
Laval Rocket ( AHL)
Website lions3r.com
Franchise history
2021–presentTrois-Rivières Lions
Current season

The Trois-Rivières Lions ( French: Lions de Trois-Rivières) are a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL based in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team began play in the 2021-22 season, with home games held at Colisée Vidéotron. They are affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) and Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL). [1]

History

The city of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, began construction on a replacement for the aging Colisée de Trois-Rivières with an expected completion date of 2021, but had no permanent tenants scheduled. [2] In July 2020, Newfoundland Growlers' majority owner Dean MacDonald (through his group Deacon Sports and Entertainment) came to an agreement with the city to place an ECHL team in Colisée Vidéotron, pending league approval, for the 2021–22 season. [3] On November 30, the team finalized its lease agreement. [4] Subsequently, on January 12, 2021, the team was approved by the ECHL Board of Governors to join the league for the 2021–22 season. [5] On January 19, the Montreal Canadiens had announced that the new team would serve as their ECHL affiliate. [1]

On June 10, 2021, the team name was announced as the Trois-Rivières Lions, named after the only previous professional team to play in the city, the Trois-Rivières Lions, from 1955 to 1960. [6] On June 15, Éric Bélanger was named the team's first head coach. [7]

In 2024, it was reported that Deacon Sports and Entertainment (DSE) had been experiencing financial difficulties, and owed the city of Trois-Rivières nearly $1 million in arena back rent. On April 2, 2024, the Growlers, likewise owned by DSE, ceased operations effective immediately. [8] Despite this, the ECHL had reached an agreement to take temporary ownership of the Lions pending the sale of the franchise to new ownership, effectively allowing the team to complete play of the 2023–2024 season. [8] [9] On April 8, 2024, league officials approved the purchase of the Lions by American buisnessman Jeff Dickerson via his company Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E). [10]

Season-by-season records

Regular season Playoffs
Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Standing 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Kelly Cup
2021–22 69 34 29 5 1 74 230 233 3rd, North L, 3–4, NFL — — —
2022–23 72 29 40 3 0 61 216 273 6th, North Did not qualify
2023–24 69 31 30 5 3 70 204 229 3rd, North TBD, 0–1, NOR

Players

Current roster

Updated April 16, 2024. [11]
Team roster
No. Nat Player Pos S/ G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
92 Canada Anthony Beauregard C R 28 2022 Saint-Damase, Quebec Lions
49 Canada Matthew Boucher  Injured Reserve LW L 26 2023 Los Angeles, California Belleville
31 Canada Zachary Bouthillier G L 24 2023 Chambly, Quebec Lions
71 Canada Justin Ducharme LW L 24 2023 Mirabel, Quebec Lions
1 Canada Zachary Emond G L 23 2023 St. Cyprien, Quebec Rocket
91 Canada Nicolas Guay RW R 24 2022 Chateauguay, Quebec Lions
15 Canada Tyler Hylland LW L 25 2024 Chateauguay, Quebec Lions
8 Canada Chris Jandric D L 25 2024 Prince George, British Columbia Rocket
47 United States Mason Kohn C L 26 2024 Davie, Florida Lions
55 Canada Nicolas Lariviere  Injured Reserve C L 27 2021 Victoriaville, Quebec Lions
14 Canada Brycen Martin D L 27 2023 Calgary, Alberta Lions
44 Canada Lukash Matthews  Injured Reserve D R 23 2024 Ottawa, Ontario Lions
18 Canada Christopher Merisier-Ortiz D L 23 2023 Boisbriand, Quebec Rocket
21 Canada Cedric Montminy ( C) LW L 29 2021 Sherbrooke, Quebec Lions
86 Canada Jakov Novak LW L 25 2023 Windsor, Ontario Rocket
72 Canada Charles-Antoine Paiement RW R 24 2023 Saint-Jerome, Quebec Lions
6 Canada Jacob Paquette D L 24 2024 Ottawa, Ontario Lions
85 Canada John Parker-Jones RW R 24 2022 Brantford, Ontario Rocket
3 Canada Kirby Proctor D L 22 2024 Lloydminster, Alberta Lions
2 Canada Cory Thomas D L 26 2024 St. Brieux, Saskatchewan Lions
89 Canada Miguel Tourigny D R 22 2023 Victoriaville, Quebec Rocket
19 Canada Alex-Olivier Voyer RW R 25 2023 Sherbrooke, Quebec Rocket
35 Canada Joseph Vrbetic G R 21 2023 Dunvegan, Ontario Rocket
7 Canada Jonathan Yantsis RW R 24 2024 Scarborough, Ontario Lions
24 Canada Nolan Yaremko LW L 25 2023 Spirit River, Alberta Rocket

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "The Canadiens announce affiliation with the new ECHL Trois-Rivières club". Montreal Canadiens Official Website. January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  2. ^ "Pour qui l'aréna de 60 millions?". La Presse. February 4, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  3. ^ "ECHL: TROIS-RIVIÈRES WILL HAVE ITS OWN HOCKEY CLUB". TVA Sports. July 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "Trois-Rivieres one step closer to hosting rumoured Canadiens ECHL affiliate team". CTV News. November 30, 2020.
  5. ^ "ECHL Approves Two Expansion Memberships". ECHL. January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "INTRODUCING THE TROIS-RIVIÈRES LIONS". ECHL. June 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "ECHL: Éric Bélanger becomes coach of the Trois-Rivières Lions". journaldequebec.com (in French). June 15, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers terminated by league". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Vachon, Matthew (April 2, 2024). "Un sursis accordé aux Lions". Le Nouvelliste (in French). Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  10. ^ "Les Lions de Trois-Rivières vendus officiellement". La Presse (in French). April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "Trois-Rivières Lions current roster". EliteProspects.com. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.

External links

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