Throughout the year, NHL teams host themed nights such as Halloween, Christmas, Hockey Fighting Cancer, Pride, and Veterans Appreciation Night. On Thursday, the Montreal Canadiens celebrated Lunar New Year at the Bell Centre, coinciding with enthusiasts’ excitement over the return of the Battle of Quebec rivalry.
However, the date of this celebration on January 29th was questionable, given that the NHL had previously announced the theme night schedule well in advance. Officially, Chinese New Year in 2026 falls on February 17th, yet the event was held a few weeks earlier. Some argued it would have been more appropriate to delay the Lunar New Year festivities until the Canadiens’ first home game after the Olympics, which falls closer to the actual date.
More than three decades have passed since the Quebec Nordiques were displaced from Quebec, moving first to Denver and rebranding as the Colorado Avalanche. Shortly after relocating, the Avalanche managed to secure Patrick Roy, one of the greatest goalies in hockey history, in what is considered one of the most dramatic trades in the sport. Just a year after their move, Colorado achieved what the Nordiques never did—winning the Stanley Cup in 1996. In a historic moment, Joe Sakic, a beloved figure for Nordiques fans, held the trophy, bringing victory to a franchise that Quebec fans had long cherished. Over seven seasons, there were many heartbreaks, especially when the Nordiques were eliminated early, leading to feelings of loss and frustration. Yet, the Avalanche’s championship victory was bittersweet for Quebec fans: it marked a hard-fought triumph for their rivals, while fans of the Canadiens celebrated a historic win for their own team.
Growing up in Quebec, I was never a true Nordiques supporter, unlike my father. My first real connection to hockey came in 1986 when a young Canadiens goalie led them to a Stanley Cup victory, sparking my love for the sport and the Canadiens. My father was more pleased during the 1993 playoff series when the Nordiques led Montreal 2-0—something rare for fans of the Quebec team. But when Montreal eventually won that series and secured another Stanley Cup shortly after, I couldn’t resist teasing my father about it.
During a school trip to Montreal, I attended a game where I wore a Nordiques jersey—a rare and special moment I cherished, thanks to my geography teacher’s approval. Even among classmates with different allegiances, that experience connected me to the history of Quebec hockey. For older fans, conversations about the Nordiques’ legacy often include debates over iconic moments like the Battle of Good Friday or discussions about legendary goals and team rivalries. The evening’s opening video montage was well-made but could have paid more homage to Quebec hockey’s rich history.
For the NHL, not seizing the opportunity to honor Quebec’s hockey heritage feels like a missed chance—especially if the league refuses to support a new team in the province. Instead of focusing solely on the past, the event could have been more deeply rooted in Quebec hockey history, particularly the Battle of Quebec rivalry. Not playing traditional highlights, such as when the Canadiens temporarily retreated after leading early in a game, was a missed opportunity to celebrate Quebec’s hockey legacy fully.
Fan Take: This event underscores how deeply hockey history is woven into Quebec’s identity, and missing the chance to fully honor that legacy diminishes the sport’s cultural significance in the region. For hockey fans everywhere, it’s a reminder that respecting history enriches the game and keeps the passion alive for future generations.
