The Remparts sold out Game #5 in... 18 minutes

The QMJHL playoffs hold the attention of the average field hockey fan in Quebec. A number of Montreal Canadiens prospects stood out during the QMJHL playoffs, such as Joshua Roy and Riley Kidney, among others.

However, since the elimination of the Sherbrooke Phoenix and the Gatineau Olympiques, there are no Tricolore prospects left to watch in the QMJHL.

Fortunately, Logan Mailloux of the London Knights (OHL), Owen Beck of the Peterborough Petes (OHL) and Jared Davidson of the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) are still in action in their respective league finals.

The Quebec Remparts, who face the Halifax Mooseheads in the Grand Finals, have the winning recipe to attract attention.

Once again, Quebec City sold out of tickets for a playoff game, but this time in just 18 minutes.

The 18,259 tickets for Game 5 between the Remparts and Mooseheads were sold out in… 18 minutes!

– Kevin Dubé (@KDubeJDQ) May 14, 2023

Meanwhile, the Arizona Coyotes are struggling to survive in the NHL, playing in front of less than 5,000 people.

I’m not saying the Nordiques’ return should be considered more seriously, but this statistic speaks for itself.

Speaking of statistics, here’s another one concerning the Remparts, further demonstrating the passion for field hockey of the people of Quebec City.

With attendance for Game 5 of next Friday’s final, the #Remparts will have drawn more spectators in 9 home playoff games than 15 of the 17 other #QMJHL teams in 34 regular-season games!

– Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) May 14, 2023

Let’s not forget that the Remparts sold over 100% of their tickets, while the Florida Panthers, who recently booked their ticket to the conference finals, filled 98.23% of their capacity.

It’s just crazy to see a junior team in Quebec City playing in front of so many ecstatic fans, game after game.

So why does Gary Bettman insist on supporting the Coyotes, a team perceived as the laughingstock of the league, when destinations like Quebec City, Hartford or even Milwaukee would have better things to offer?

Bringing a team back to Quebec City could revive the Canadiens-Nordiques rivalry, which would obviously generate profits for the NHL.

Many know that Bettman isn’t the biggest fan of Canada in general, and probably even less so of Quebec (and therefore of the CH). Adding a second Quebec team would help the NHL and give the NHL commissioner one more team to hate.

To be continued.