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]
| Trois-Rivières Lions Lions de Trois-Rivières | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada |
| League | ECHL |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | North |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Home arena | Colisée Vidéotron |
| Colours | Metal grey, Quebec blue |
| Owner(s) | Spire Sports + Entertainment |
| General manager | Ron Choules |
| Head coach | Ron Choules |
| Affiliates | Montreal Canadiens (NHL) Laval Rocket (AHL) |
| Website | lions3r |
| Franchise history | |
| 2021–present | Trois-Rivières Lions |
 Current season | |
History
editThe 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.[9] On April 8, 2024, league officials approved the purchase of the Lions by American businessman Jeff Dickerson via his company Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E).[10]
Season-by-season records
edit| 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 | L, 2–4, NOR | ||||
Players and personnel
editTeam captains
editHead coaches
edit- Éric Bélanger, Jun. 2021–Nov. 2022[14]
- Marc-André Bergeron (interim), Nov. 2022–Jun. 2023[15]
- Pascal Rhéaume (resigned prior to season), Jun. 2023–Aug. 2023[16]
- Ron Choules, Aug. 2023–present[17]
Notable players
editThe following alumni have advanced to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) after playing for the Lions as of the conclusion of the 2023–24 season:[18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "The Canadiens announce affiliation with the new ECHL Trois-Rivières club". Montreal Canadiens. January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021 – via NHL.com.
- ^ Pratt, Alexandre (February 4, 2020). "Pour qui l'aréna de 60 millions?" [Who is the 60 million arena for?]. La Presse. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Rioux, Benoît (July 9, 2020). "ECHL: TROIS-RIVIÈRES AURA SON CLUB DE HOCKEY" [ECHL: TROIS-RIVIÈRES WILL HAVE ITS OWN HOCKEY CLUB]. TVA Sports.
- ^ "Trois-Rivieres one step closer to hosting rumoured Canadiens ECHL affiliate team". CTV News. November 30, 2020.
- ^ "ECHL Approves Two Expansion Memberships". ECHL. January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ "INTRODUCING THE TROIS-RIVIÈRES LIONS". ECHL. June 10, 2021.
- ^ "ECHL: Éric Bélanger devient l'entraîneur des Lions de Trois-Rivières" [ECHL: Éric Bélanger becomes coach of the Trois-Rivières Lions]. Le Journal de Québec (in French). June 15, 2021.
- ^ "ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers terminated by league". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Vachon, Matthew (April 2, 2024). "Un sursis accordé aux Lions" [A reprieve granted to the Lions]. Le Nouvelliste (in French). Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ "Les Lions de Trois-Rivières vendus officiellement" [The Trois-Rivières Lions officially sold]. La Presse (in French). April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ "Cédric Montminy named captain of the Lions". Trois-Rivières Lions and ECHL. October 18, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Cedric Montminy to retire from professional hockey". Trois-Rivières Lions and ECHL. July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Lions reveal 2024-25 Season-Opening roster". Trois-Rivières Lions and ECHL. October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ Richard, Nicholas (November 22, 2022). "Éric Bélanger quitte les Lions de Trois-Rivières" [Éric Bélanger leaves the Trois-Rivières Lions]. La Presse (in French). Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ MacMillan, Ken (August 22, 2023). "Montreal Canadiens: Surprising Coaching Shakeup With Trois-Rivieres Lions". FanSided. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "Pascal Rhéaume a choisi cette équipe au lieu des Lions" [Pascal Rhéaume chose this team instead of the Lions]. Le Journal de Montréal (in French). September 1, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ Galanopoulos, Chris (August 23, 2023). "Significant Changes in Play for Montreal Canadiens ECHL Affiliate". The Hockey News. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "A third former Lion makes it to the NHL". Trois-Rivières Lions and ECHL. March 2, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.