Former Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron asked whether he'd be interested in helping to bring back the Quebec Nordiques
Patrice Bergeron is officially retired but that didn’t stop reporters from asking if the former Bruins captain would be interested in being part of an ownership group bringing back hockey to Quebec City.
While speaking at the Bruins’ Centennial Season opener ‘Gold Carpet’ celebration on Wednesday, Bergeron was asked about the idea of joining a group that could bring back the Quebec Nordiques?
“Oh my God! I thought you were asking me about a beer league or something! Uh. …this is more serious,” Bergeron replied at first. “I mean, I was a big fan growing up. I know the impact it had on myself, my brother, and my friends. I think it. …in a way, I wish the Nordiques will come back one day. I really do. I do for the city; I do for the kids. I think it’s a great market. I can’t really answer that question at this time because it’s never even crossed my mind. I’d have to think about it, but I would be open to it for sure.”
The Nordiques left Quebec City following the 1995 city and became the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche went on to win the Stanley Cup in 1996.
The NHL has not been interested in bringing a team back to Quebec. The league has added six expansion teams and relocated one since the Nordiques became the Avalanche.
The NHL is toying with the idea of expansion once again, but commissioner Gary Bettman downplayed the idea of another team in Quebec City.
“NHL expansion is coming. And it’s because the NHL feels that compared to the NBA, Major League Baseball, and the NFL, there are places in the United States where they can still add more teams. And I think the sport as a whole feels that way,” said Sportsnet NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.
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