Hockey’s back: QMJHL returning to St. John’s next season as group purchases N.B. team

After a long wait, hockey fans in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador have something to cheer about as the Quebec Martimes Junior Hockey League is set to make a return to the city in 2025. The news comes sixteen years after the departure of the Fog Devils, leaving a void in the local hockey scene.

A local group known as SPS Entertainment, led by prominent business owners in St. John’s, has made a significant move by purchasing the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and deciding to relocate the franchise to St. John’s for the upcoming season. This decision has been met with excitement and anticipation from both fans and league officials.

QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini expressed his enthusiasm for the return of hockey to St. John’s, stating that the city has always been on the league’s radar since the departure of the Fog Devils. He highlighted the strong ownership group, the top-notch arena facilities, and the passionate hockey fans in Newfoundland and Labrador as key factors in bringing the team back to the city.

The move comes after years of financial struggles for the Titan franchise, with team president Serge Thériault acknowledging the challenges faced by the organization over the past decade. The impact of the pandemic only exacerbated these difficulties, leading to the decision to sell the team to the local ownership group.

With the return of junior hockey to St. John’s, fans can look forward to exciting games, talented young players, and a renewed sense of pride in their local team. The upcoming season promises to be a thrilling one for hockey enthusiasts in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Stay tuned for more updates as the league prepares for its return to St. John’s in 2025. Exciting times lie ahead for hockey fans in the region as they welcome back the QMJHL to their beloved city.