Quebec Nordiques was an ice hockey team that was based in Quebec, Canada. The team was founded in 1972 and it played in WHA league until 1979, when it moved to NHL when troubled WHA league was merged with National Hockey League. The achievements of Nordiques include 1976 Avco World Trophy and four NHL division championships. However, the team never made it to the Stanley Cup finals.

Basic information

Nordiques played their home games in Colisée de Quebec until the franchise was relocated in Denver, Colorado in 1995. The capacity of the arena was appr. 15 000 for ice hockey matches. The team colours of the Nordiques were blue, red and white.

A short history

Quebec Nordiques got their place in WHA, when the funding of San Fransico Sharks did not succeed before the initial 1972 season. With one Avco World Trophy from 1976, Quebec joined NHL with three other teams in 1979. For the beginning of the 1980’s, Nordiques qualified to play-offs seven times in a row – however, for the following seven seasons, they only had one occasion of post-season hockey.

In early 1990’s Quebec Nordiques utilized their early draft chances and made some witty trades. Their team was really good in 1994-95 regular season, but in the play-offs they were defeated by defending champions, New York Rangers. Quebec was perhaps too small market for NHL franchise and the franchise was moved to Colorado in 1995 – and Quebec people have been waiting for a new NHL team since that.

Legendary players

Joe Sakic is a legend in both Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche franchises. After his time with the Nordiques, he won two Stanley Cups in Avalanche (1996 and 2001). He is one of the best ice hockey players that Canada has ever brought up.

Mats Sundin played only four seasons in Nordiques before being traded to Toronto Maple Leafs in 1994, but he will be surely remembered in Quebec. Sundin scored his season record of 114 points for Nordiques in 1992-93. Sundin scored altogether 1349 NHL points and he is also Olympic gold medalist plus three-time world champion.

Michel Goulet played eleven seasons in Nordiques. The skilled left wing had to retire early in 1994, when he had a severe concussion after hitting the end board.

And of course we can not forget the Stastny brothers – Marian, Peter and Anton – who all played for Nordiques in 1980’s. This Slovak trio is an important part of Nordiques and NHL legacy.