Quebec Citadelles | |
---|---|
City | Quebec City, Quebec |
League | American Hockey League |
Operated | 1999–2002 |
Home arena | Colisée Pepsi |
Colours | Navy Blue, White, gold, Silver |
Affiliates | Montreal Canadiens |
Franchise history | |
1969–1971 | Montreal Voyageurs |
1971–1984 | Nova Scotia Voyageurs |
1984–1990 | Sherbrooke Canadiens |
1990–1999 | Fredericton Canadiens |
1999–2002 | Quebec Citadelles |
2002–2015 | Hamilton Bulldogs |
2015–present | St. John's IceCaps |
Championships | |
Division Championships | 2 (1999–00, 2001–02) |
The Quebec Citadelles (French: Citadelles de Québec) were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada at the Colisée Pepsi. The name refers to the Citadelle of Quebec, a landmark fortification in that city since the late 17th century.
The Citadelles were a minor-league feeder team that developed players for the NHL's Montreal Canadiens organization. This AHL team was established in 1999 to much fanfare, and played with good fan support (and some success) for three seasons, before being relocated and merged into the Hamilton Bulldogs.
One of the team's most striking features was its choice of a mascot and emblem. The team's sweaters were emblazoned with an iconically depicted goat's head, representing the goat mascot of the Royal 22e Régiment (The Van Doos) stationed in the Citadel of Quebec. By tradition, this goat is always named 'Batisse'. The regiment's goat is a descendant of one presented to the unit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955 (which, in turn, was the descendant of a goat given to Queen Victoria from the Shah of Iran in 1844).
Affiliates
An early incarnation of the team played in the Quebec Junior Hockey League during the 1920s through the 1960s, developing such notable players as Jean Beliveau, Camille Henry, and Jacques Plante. It was also notable for having the first two Newfoundland trained players to play Major Junior hockey.