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    Puck Daddy

    Nordiques Nation invades Hockey Day in Canada

    By Greg Wyshynski | Puck Daddy – Sat, Feb 11, 2012 11:15 AM EST

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    Nordiques Nation was founded in Aug. 2010 on the suggestion of two Quebec City radio hosts. A new arena was reportedly in the works to bring an NHL team back to the city; it was time to mobilize and bring international attention to the fans' rabid enthusiasm for another franchise.

    Their first trip was Nassau Coliseum in Dec. 2010: 1,100 members invaded the home of the New York Islanders for a game against the Atlanta Thrashers — one team with a cloudy future and another team that relocated the following year. Later in the season, they attended a New Jersey Devils home game against the Boston Bruins: 1,600 fans on 32 buses.

    In between, they made an appearance at a Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens game on Hockey Day in Canada 2011, but with little national attention. On Saturday, Hockey Day in Canada 2012, they're invading Scotiabank Place as the Ottawa Senators host the Edmonton Oilers; and they're already getting attention.

    From the Ottawa Sun:

    Twenty-two busloads — plus others making the five-hour trek by car — will fill the 300 level in their Nordiques' colours just to make sure the whole country knows how much Quebec City wants the league to make a return.

    "We have a lot of fun with this," said Eric Grenier, an organizer from Nordiques Nation. "The principal goal (is to show people they want the NHL back."

    The greatest thing about these protests — besides seeing the gorgeous blue hues of the Nords jerseys dotting a crowd again — is that they're not really protests at all.

    They're more like demonstrations of rabid fandom — a traveling pep rally. For that Islanders game, they'd count down 10 seconds in French until the 15 minute mark of each period, to commemorate the team's relocation 15 years earlier.

    And who can forget their Times Square pep rally?

    Conditions have certainly changed for Quebec fans in the last year. Winnipeg was handed the Thrashers; the Coyotes are still in limbo; and Quebec City has become the most likely location for relocation.

    Today's demonstration on Hockey Day In Canada will only further nudge that momentum, as will trips to Boston and Detroit later this season.

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    47 comments

    • Andy
      Andy  •  Mankato, Minnesota  •  3 months ago
      This is what I like about Nord Nation; they make their point in a calm, peaceful manner without getting the cops involved.
      • Thursday
        Thursday 3 months ago
        Peaceful, sure: but not necessarily calm! What's the point in being a rabid fan if you're calm?!? Here's to hoping the Nordiques return to where they belong!
      • Catnip
        Catnip 3 months ago
        atleast they didn't try to burn down the arena like the Canucks fans!
      • Ross
        Ross 3 months ago
        I remember when they had Hextall. Haha, they had so many players come through there and get dealt away or left.. Lindros, Sundin, etc. It would be cool to have the Nordiques back. I love their old jerseys and they would have better fans that a lot of teams. The only problem is people didnt want to play there in the early 90s,. I dont know why people would want to now.
    • kirkymon
      kirkymon  •  3 months ago
      This is the way to get a hockey team back. A little grassroots support goes a long way.
    • Johnny_Spectacular
      Johnny_Spectacular  •  Ottawa, Canada  •  3 months ago
      I dig it - an excellent way to support the drive for a new Quebec team. Any arena should be glad to get a Nordiques Nation visit; they're loud, proud and make a point of supporting the home team.

      Hope they get a team back - Jets and Nords never should've left.
    • Sarah D
      Sarah D  •  3 months ago
      Awesome. A return of the Nords would help to right the wrongs of the Betteman era.
    • yerry.take
      yerry.take  •  3 months ago
      I am overly surprised at the lack of cynicism and snarky remarks in a Wysh column about Canadians and their passion for NHL hockey... nice job! (?)
      • Bruce
        Bruce 3 months ago
        he knows when he's beat .....the guys a dip and he wouldn't know a hockey puck from a horse ball
      • Wyshynski
        Wyshynski 3 months ago
        ".the guys a dip and he wouldn't know a hockey puck from a horse ball"

        Well, you've got me there. I don't know what a horse ball is.

        I've been supportive of Quebec getting another team. Before Seattle? No. The relocated Coyotes? I'd rather see some French-Canadian sap get bled for $800 million in expansion fees. But that doesn't mean I don't want a team there.
      • Andy M
        Andy M 3 months ago
        You suck Wyshynski!
    • Ridley
      Ridley  •  Boston, Massachusetts  •  3 months ago
      Yay! They're coming to Boston! Bienvenue!
    • Abe Paul
      Abe Paul  •  Mississauga, Canada  •  3 months ago
      Another area is SWOntario, between Hamilton and London, perhaps in Waterloo county!
      • EmEm
        EmEm 3 months ago
        perhaps in your dreams ...
      • Tao
        Tao 3 months ago
        I want to see the Hamilton team in a nice new arena in Copetown.
    • Stephen
      Stephen  •  Madison, Wisconsin  •  3 months ago
      Wow, 2,000 die-hard fans...that's about as much as the Thrashers had.
      • Conqueror
        Conqueror 3 months ago
        LMAO
      • Angel
        Angel 3 months ago
        That's about as much as the Thrashers actually had at any given game. LOL
      • Super Mario 66
        Super Mario 66 3 months ago
        You disregard the crowds the Thrashers drew when Atlanta returned to the NHL, but, hey, who cares?
    • John
      John  •  New York, New York  •  3 months ago
      I dig what these fans are trying to do.

      However, lets be clear on something (and someone translate this into French please):
      1) Seattle has more corporate money and can possibly team up with an NBA franchise to sponsor a new building. Seattle - not Quebec City - is the frontrunner for the Coyotes.
      2) That being said, the Florida Panthers are likely next on the bubble. The team doesn't do great at the gate, they litterally giving away tickets, and they aren't even on the Miami sports landscape due to the Heat, the Marlins and the Dolphins.

      You really want a team Quebec? Start going further south and let them know you'll be glad to have the Panthers relocate. You'll probably have an easier time of it than you think. And quite frankly, Miami is a nicer visit than Long Island.
      • Colton W
        Colton W 3 months ago
        I see your point with Seattle and Florida. But isn't the reason's behind the Panthers leaving the exact same reason's why an NHL team shouldn't be in Seattle? In Seattle an NHL team would have to compete with the Seahawks, Mariners and the NBA team that would move into the same building with the NHL team. and that's only IF a new building gets built. The key arena in Seattle could never house an NHL team, also the effort to get a new building built in Seattle is a basketball project with no mention or interest (at least at this point) of hockey being a consideration. There's a much greater chance of the team going to Quebec where there is already a building, a fanbase and great rivalries with the Northeast teams already. People are saying the same things about Quebec as they said about Winnipeg. Winnipeg has 13,000 season ticket holders for the next 3 years. Do you think that would EVER happen in Seattle? Not likely. I have lots of friends in Seattle. And they know nothing about hockey. They are always cracking jokes about going to a fight and then a hockey game broke out. Seattle is a pipedream by a few. There will be teams in Quebec, Kansas City and Milwaukee before there will be a team in Seattle. Mark my words!
      • Bruce
        Bruce 3 months ago
        I live in Vancouver and I know something about hockey in Seattle. They couldn't care less. If they get the basketball team back it will be even worse. Better off to leave them in Phenix, Also, we were told about all the corporate money in Phoenix and a lot of good that did
      • EmEm
        EmEm 3 months ago
        Typically the canadian points of view : it can't work in the US, always good reasons against that, notably from guys in Vancouver who pretend knowing Seattle! You Canadians, are just a bunch of embittered people!
    • Andy M
      Andy M  •  Edmonton, Canada  •  3 months ago
      Love the Passion!! Good luck Nords!
    • Gio
      Gio  •  Beverly, Massachusetts  •  3 months ago
      would love to see the Nordiques back, and while we're at it the Whalers as well
    • fiset35
      fiset35  •  3 months ago
      Let's go Québec! Let's get it done!
    • ultracraignetic
      ultracraignetic  •  3 months ago
      C'est bon!
    • Dean
      Dean  •  Toronto, Canada  •  3 months ago
      Great job Nordiques Nation! Show your passion. If this pays off, there are 2 things in the future I definitely want to see at all price:
      1- The first Habs-Nordiques v 2.0 game at the Colisée (brother rivals). If this happens, words wouldn't be enough to describe how insane it's going to be.
      2- Jets-Nordiques game (cousin rivals). History will be made. The matchup that nobody would have imagined 17 years ago could be happening again.
    • Slumpy
      Slumpy  •  Detroit, Michigan  •  3 months ago
      Habs players like Gomez will have to fight if the Nords get their team back. Time for them to resign Nilan and Odelein.
      bettman and his law partner daly may push for Seattle instead. Depends on which cities new team owner "donates" more cash to the front office and other league owners retirement funds.
      As long as Sin City or KC don't get the next team I'll be pleased.
    • GuyL
      GuyL  •  Louisville, Kentucky  •  3 months ago
      I still wear my Nordiques chapeau! GL from GL... err.... Bon chance, mes amis.
    • Antonio
      Antonio  •  3 months ago
      Minnesota and Winnipeg fans are cheering for you guys to get your team back! Keep fighting for it because before you know it, the Nords are back in Quebec City! Go Nords Go! Can't wait to see you guys next season! Sincerely, a Minnesota Wild fan.
    • Camm
      Camm  •  3 months ago
      Vive les Nordiques!
    • Derek
      Derek  •  3 months ago
      I would love to see the Nordiques and Canadiens play each other again. People who talk about Yankees/Red Sox, Celtics/Lakers, Steelers/Ravens have never seen a rivalry until they've seen "Les Nords et Les Habitants jouer"
    • Mathieu Lefebvre
      Mathieu Lefebvre  •  St-Hyacinthe, Canada  •  3 months ago
      You can say what you will about owners, but it's the fans that make a team live. And right now, it seems to me that the Nordiques are more alive than actual franchises in the NHL.
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