The Canadian leaves his mark on Nordic territory

(Quebec) “Yeah, well, there are arms on that!” »

Bruno Marchand released this sentence after being lifted from the ground without warning by the mascot Youppi!, who clearly does not skimp on the gym.

See the mayor of Quebec dressed in a Canadiens jersey being lifted by Youppi! wasn’t on anyone’s agenda Tuesday. However, this is the scene that a few journalists witnessed during the official inauguration of the first Bleu Blanc Bouge ice rink in the capital.

The superb ice rink, covered with a blond wooden frame, was built in Lower Town, in Victoria Park. The symbol is strong: the ice is decorated with a Canadian logo, less than three kilometers from the old Coliseum, which formerly hosted the matches of the eternal rivals.

“If we had counted on the Nordiques, we wouldn’t have any,” a refrigerated ice rink, the mayor of Quebec mused.

The ice rink cost 10.8 million, the majority of which was paid for by the City. The Canadiens Children’s Foundation extended 2.5 million. But the support went beyond money: the Foundation helped the City design its project and deliver it. The Marchand administration now wants to open five more ice cream stores to prepare for climate change.

“Last year, the outdoor rinks were open 50 days out of 150. About a hundred days were not possible because of the mild weather, the rain…” noted the mayor of Quebec.

Molson: a preseason match without subsidy

Geoff Molson was on site Tuesday, visibly proud to deliver this 15^e ice cream from the Foundation to encourage young people to get moving.

The questions of course focused on the openness of his organization to a possible return of the Nordiques.

“Yes, and I’ve always said the same thing. Open, but even more, supportive. If the opportunity presents itself, we are there to support,” swore the owner of the Canadian.

But if your convenience store is doing well, why want one on the other corner? asked a reporter. “Yes, our convenience store is fine, but I would say we can live with two convenience stores, that’s for sure. »

But he hastened to moderate the enthusiasm of the supporters, increasingly disillusioned with the return of the Nordics: “We discuss expansion from time to time, but it is not a big subject at the moment. »

Mr. Molson also confirmed that the Canadian is working to play a preseason game in 2025 against the Ottawa Senators at the Videotron Center. The match will be presented without subsidy.

“We are not far […]. It’s not finalized yet, but it’s very likely by next year,” he said.

Casually, the capital manages to make its nest in the world of hockey, even without an NHL team. Sunday, the Videotron Center will host a Montreal Victory game against the Ottawa Charge. Mayor Marchand also intends to take advantage of this to promote his city’s candidacy for an LPHF team.

Then there is this well-advanced project for the presentation of the 2029 Junior World Cup in the Quebec capital. FM93 reported Tuesday that the Quebec government, burned by the episode of subsidies to the Los Angeles Kings, feared reactions if it were to financially support the event.

“We are working hard on it. [Québecor] does an extraordinary job. And we work with the Quebec government, indicates Bruno Marchand. It’s 50 million in economic benefits, the world championship, it’s tens of thousands of nights for our hoteliers, so the City is all in. My commitment is 200%. »

As for the Canadiens logo in the heart of his city, Mayor Marchand did not take offense.

“For me, it’s completely normal to have the Canadian logo. And if they want to finance other rinks, they’re going to have as many logos as they want. »