Laval Rocket

American Hockey League team in Laval, Quebec

The Laval Rocket (French: Rocket de Laval) are a Canadian professional ice hockey team. They began playing in 2017. The team plays in the American Hockey League (AHL). They play their home games in Laval, Quebec at the Place Bell. They are the AHL affiliate for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (AHL). Their ECHL affiliate is the Trois-Rivières Lions.

Laval Rocket
CityLaval, Quebec
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
ConferenceEastern
DivisionNorth
Founded1969
Home arenaPlace Bell
ColoursRed, white and blue
     
General managerJohn Sedgwick
Head coachJean-François Houle
AffiliatesMontreal Canadiens (NHL)
Trois-Rivières Lions (ECHL)
WebsiteOfficial website
Franchise history
1969–1971Montreal Voyageurs
1971–1984Nova Scotia Voyageurs
1984–1990Sherbrooke Canadiens
1990–1999Fredericton Canadiens
1999–2002Quebec Citadelles
2002–2015Hamilton Bulldogs
2015–2017St. John's IceCaps
2017–presentLaval Rocket
Championships
Division titles1 (2020–21)

The team originally played in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador as the St. John's IceCaps from 2011 to 2017. On July 11, 2016, the Canadiens announced that the team would be moving to the Montreal suburb of Laval.[1] The team name Rocket was chosen in a fan poll as a tribute to Canadiens legend Maurice "Rocket" Richard.[2]

On October 6, 2017, the team would play their first game as the Laval Rocket. They would defeat the Belleville Senators 3–0. It was also Belleville's first game in the league.[3]

In the 2019–20 season, the Rocket would win the Canadian Division championship. They would finish the season with 23 wins, 9 loses, and 50 points. However, the 2020 Calder Cup playoffs would be cancelled by the league because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rocket would play their home games at the Bell Centre with the Canadiens during this season.[4][5]

References

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  1. "Canadiens moving AHL affiliate to Laval in 17-18". American Hockey League. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  2. "Laval's AHL team nickname unveiled". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. "Laval beats Belleville in Rocket's first AHL game". The Sports Network. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  4. "The Laval Rocket to Play Its Home Games at the Bell Centre for the 2020-21 Season". American Hockey League. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  5. "Rocket secure Canadian Division title". American Hockey League. Retrieved January 18, 2024.

Other websites

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