“The most beautiful day of my life”: Michel Bergeron and other Nordics recount their fondest memories of the Coliseum

It was their second home or “like their mother’s womb”, as they frequented it so often, the Colosseum, during the time of the Nordics. While waiting to know what will become of the building, former members of Fleurdelisé told us about the most precious moments they experienced there.

• Also read: “We have been fooling for too long”: former Nordics speak out on what they want for the future of the Colosseum

“I felt pampered” – Michel Bergeron

The first memory that comes to mind for Michel Bergeron when we talk about the Coliseum is his first match behind the team bench as head coach, in 1980-1981.

“At that moment, I told myself that it was the happiest day of my life,” says Bergeron. Not only was I coaching at the Colisée de Québec, but it was the first year of Peter and Anton Stastny, of Dale Hunter… Plus, we had several veterans. I felt pampered.”

Otherwise, there are of course these matches against the Canadian. The noise of the crowd, so close to the ice, even if there were sometimes too many red jerseys in the stands for his liking. “I remember, I told journalists that when I retired, I wanted to sell tickets for the Nordiques. To prevent Montreal fans from coming!” “Bergie” laughs.

“The Nordiques and the Colisée, they made the name of Quebec shine throughout North America,” he recalls, nostalgically.

– Jessica Lapinski

50 goals are worth celebrating!

Michel Goulet played with the Remparts and the Nordiques at the Colisée. His most memorable memory occurred on March 5, 1983.

In a game against the Hartford Whalers, at the age of 23, he scored a hat trick which brought him to the 50-goal mark for the first time in his career.

“I finished the season with 57 goals. My brothers and my parents were there for the evening of the 50. It was an incredible evening. I loved playing in Quebec. I loved the passion of the amateurs, and for me, it was always one of the most beautiful places in hockey.

– Stéphane Cadorette

In front of 10,000 people at 12 years old

Dave Pichette discovered the Colisée at age 12, when he played in front of 10,000 people at the Pee-Wee Tournament. He then found himself in his slippers in the amphitheater, with the Remparts and the Nordics.

“Of course I’m nostalgic. For years the Colosseum was my home and I knew every corner. When I go to the Videotron Center, I find it big tabarouette“, he concluded.

“There was no pity” – André Savard

André Savard enjoyed glory with the Remparts at the turn of the 1970s, when a certain Guy Lafleur also wore the colors of the “Red Devils”. The 1971 Memorial Cup, the President’s Cups, his talented teammates, the fans: all of this will remain forever engraved in his memory.

Just like his two seasons with the Nordiques, he notes, even if his return to Quebec was shorter than expected, due to an injury.

In the mid-1980s, Mr. Savard points out, the Colisée had nothing to envy of many other places where he played during his NHL career, which saw him play with the Bruins and the Sabres.

“I don’t think we were pitiful with our Colosseum. And the players loved that, coming to Quebec. The atmosphere was good.”

The goal he never forgot and the crowd on the ice

Alain Côté reviews his very first presence on the ice with the Nordiques in the AMH, with Gordie Howe on the other side for the Whalers.

“In the NHL, I especially remember Peter Stastny’s goal in overtime against Hartford (1987 spring series) to eliminate them. It was a great moment!” he exclaimed.

For Tardif, nothing has matched winning the Avco Cup in the spring of 1977.

“The Coliseum was full and people were jumping on the ice. It was the good years of the Nordiques in Quebec with Réal Cloutier, Christian Bordeleau, Serge Bernier, Jean-Claude Tremblay… Extraordinary moments!” he remembered.

– Stéphane Cadorette

A bygone era

In the eyes of Steven Finn, as also mentioned in Journal Michel Goulet, we must find a way to keep the history of the Coliseum alive. For him, Place Jean-Béliveau, near the Videotron Center, is essential.

“For me, the notable arenas were those like the Coliseum, the old Boston Garden, the old Chicago Stadium, the Buffalo Auditorium. They were arenas with character where you found yourself close to the crowd. Today, the arenas all look the same,” he summarized.

– Stéphane Cadorette