MONTREAL, Que. – The Quebec Junior AAA Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday, the arrival of an expansion team, who commence play in time for the 2022-23 campaign.
The Laval VC will make its entrance in September 2022 and will play its local games at the Laval Coliseum.
The three owners are Ronny Messina, Mario Nobili and Dino Russo.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to bring high-performance hockey to the Laval region,” said Mario Nobili.
“We look forward to our fans meeting our team in September. We will build an exciting and competitive roster,” added Nobili.
Nobili is a former fourth-round pick with the Edmonton Oilers (78th overall) in 1991. He played in the QMJHL and in Europe.
As for Russo, he has been very involved in minor hockey in Laval for several years while Messina is a respected businessman, who will bring experience to the group to manage the team.
“It is a great day for our league,” stated LHJAAAQ commissioner Kevin Figsby. “After two years in a pandemic, we can come out of it with a new team in a large market near Montreal. It is very encouraging,” supplied Figsby.
“We know the tradition of junior hockey in Laval and there is no doubt that this team will be popular among locals”.
LHJAAAQ NOTES: This past Saturday, Le Collège Français de Longueuil won a ninth NAPA Cup in team history.
Éric Bouchard’s group will represent the LHJAAAQ at the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, which will take place from May 19-29, in Estevan, Sask.
Meanwhile, the 33rd Gala of the LHJAAAQ will take place on May 31 at the Sheraton Hotel in Laval at 5 p.m.
Management of the league will take the opportunity to present several honours at the event.
For more information, visit LHJAAAQ.com.