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Official website
History & Records section - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
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In collaboration with
Gabriel D'Aigle
Tigres Victoriaville
Franchise
LONGUEUIL - 1982

History

Three appearances in the final and a Cup in 5 years

The Longueuil franchise established itself upon its arrival in 1982-83

  • In their very first season in the QMJHL in 1982-83, the Chevaliers players believed in the message of head coach Jacques Lemaire, so much so that they participated in their first final. Their opponents, the Verdun Junior and their grandiose superstar Pat LaFontaine, filled the Montreal Forum to capacity, and proved invincible.

  • In 1983-84, a 2nd final for the Longueuil team, but Mario Lemieux of the Laval Voisins was simply too strong!

Marc Saumier and the Chevaliers became "QMJHL playoff champions" in 1987.
Marc Saumier and the Chevaliers became "QMJHL playoff champions" in 1987.
Jacques Lemaire (1982-83) - he was the franchise's very first head coach. Enough to delight the future Chevaliers defenseman, Michel Therrien.
Jacques Lemaire (1982-83) - he was the franchise's very first head coach. Enough to delight the future Chevaliers defenseman, Michel Therrien.
Guy Rouleau (Longueuil | 1982=>1985) - the electrifying center won the QMJHL scoring championship in 1984-85. A strong total of 163 points, including 76 goals in 60 games!
Guy Rouleau (Longueuil | 1982=>1985) - the electrifying center won the QMJHL scoring championship in 1984-85. A strong total of 163 points, including 76 goals in 60 games!

A First President Cup for the Longueuil Chevaliers Franchise

  • At the end of the 1986-87 season, then coached by Guy Chouinard, and led by the tireless and robust Marc Saumier (41 points in 20 games | 48 penalty minutes), the Chevaliers were crowned playoff champions, beating the Chicoutimi Saguenéens 4 games to 1.

  • A few months after the celebrations, the franchise moved to Victoriaville at the start of training camp. A new logo, that of the Tigres, was embroidered on the red jerseys... But the success on the ice continued for this franchise; it would again participate in the final in 1989 and 1990, without however touching the Cup again.

. . .

  • In 7 years, from 1983 to 1990, this franchise having evolved in Longueuil and Victoriaville, will have participated in 5 QMJHL finals...

In 1987-88, due to financial problems, the Chevaliers packed their bags and moved to Victoriaville where they were given a new name...

The Victoriaville "Tigres" put on quite a show as soon as they arrived at the "Colisée des Bois-Francs".

Rookie Reginald Savage: 68 goals in 69 games, a franchise record!

This is the 4th best performance for a goal scorer in his very first season in the QMJHL.

Reginald Savage, rewarded by Gilles Courteau, the new president of the QMJHL since 1986...
Reginald Savage, rewarded by Gilles Courteau, the new president of the QMJHL since 1986...
Yves Racine (Victoriaville) - thunderous playoffs for his teammates and him, as evidenced by his 1st place in points in the 1989 post-season games, with 33 points.
Yves Racine (Victoriaville) - thunderous playoffs for his teammates and him, as evidenced by his 1st place in points in the 1989 post-season games, with 33 points.
Stéphane Fiset - In the spring of 1990, for a second consecutive year against the Laval Titan, his team would lose in the President Cup grand final. Stéphane Fiset's remarkable stint in the QMJHL resulted in a record of 136 games, including 70 wins, including playoffs, with a goals-against average of 3.43 and a save percentage of .890. He helped the Tigres win the Jean-Rougeau Trophy in 1989-90, in addition to participating in two League finals. In addition, he proudly represented the QMJHL in various national and international events.
Stéphane Fiset - In the spring of 1990, for a second consecutive year against the Laval Titan, his team would lose in the President Cup grand final. Stéphane Fiset's remarkable stint in the QMJHL resulted in a record of 136 games, including 70 wins, including playoffs, with a goals-against average of 3.43 and a save percentage of .890. He helped the Tigres win the Jean-Rougeau Trophy in 1989-90, in addition to participating in two League finals. In addition, he proudly represented the QMJHL in various national and international events.

The 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons were once again crowned with success thanks to two participations in the grand final. The big star linked to the Victoriaville team at that time was goalkeeper Stéphane Fiset.

On the other hand, the Tigres will experience a slight drop in form before the arrival of an exceptional player...

Alexandre Daigle (Victoriaville | 1991=>1995) - he was the first pick in the QMJHL in 1991. He was also the first pick in the National League draft in 1993, by the Ottawa Senators.
Alexandre Daigle (Victoriaville | 1991=>1995) - he was the first pick in the QMJHL in 1991. He was also the first pick in the National League draft in 1993, by the Ottawa Senators.

A superstar is coming: ALEXANDRE DAIGLE!

He will be considered the best professional prospect of his generation.

The Ottawa Senators would make him the first pick in the 1993 National Hockey League draft.

. . .

In the early 1990s, Alexandre Daigle quickly became one of the great superstars in QMJHL history. Highly charismatic, he will be remembered as the most publicized player since Guy Lafleur and Mario Lemieux.

Unsurprisingly, the extremely fast skater with agile hands was selected 1st in the 1991 QMJHL draft. At 16, he was electrifying in Victoriaville, and led several offensive categories in the QMJHL, with 110 points including 42 on the power play: he was chosen as the Canadian League's rookie of the year.

In 1992-93, his average of 2.6 points per game was the best in the entire QMJHL. With a harvest of 137 points in 53 regular season games, he fed Claude Savoie like no other, and this teammate scored 70 goals, a record for the Tigres. The title of "Top Professional Prospect" attached to the Michael Bossy Trophy is awarded to Alexandre Daigle.

In 1993, the latter was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the very first place of the National League draft. In his very first season as a rookie, he made a successful entrance by participating in a quarter of the 201 goals of the young expansion franchise, with 51 points including 20 goals, finishing in 2nd place in his club's scorers.

In 1994-95, with the NHL in a lockout, he made a remarkable return to the QMJHL, and filled the arenas again. He would add to his impressive statistics even more, completing his junior internship with 292 points in 143 games (including the playoffs). In addition, he would be an asset for Canada at the World Junior Championship in 1995, and he would return with his 2nd gold medal, since he had also celebrated in 1993 with the unifoliate uniform on his back.

A HISTORIC GAME, the longest one: 146 minutes and 31 seconds!

Hull beat Victoriaville 3-2 in the 8th period of the game played on March 19, 1999, at the Robert-Guertin Centre.

IT STILL REMAINS THE LONGEST GAME IN QMJHL HISTORY. In the 5th overtime, a game that ended in the wee hours of the morning!

...

The game ended at 1:43 a.m., no less than 6 hours and 13 minutes after the first faceoff! Brock Boucher scored the winning goal in the 5th overtime period, in the 147th minute of the game...

...

Goaltenders: Vic Pierre-Luc Therrien (89 shots & QMJHL record of 86 saves)... Hul Philippe Bergeron (66 shots)... .

..

Lifetime| Playoffs

The longest games in QMJHL history

1Victoriaville / Hull98-991999-03-19146:31
2Baie-Comeau / Cape Breton24-252025-04-04141:42
3Cape Breton / Québec08-092009-04-03132:57
4Chicoutimi / Rimouski18-192019-03-23129:15
5Acadie-Bathurst / Halifax21-222022-05-11116:14
6Cape Breton / Drummondville17-182018-03-24114:26
7Val-d`Or / Blainville-Boisbriand15-162016-04-03112:26
8Acadie-Bathurst / Baie-Comeau00-012001-04-21106:37
9Hull / Longueuil89-901990-03-26103:50
10Halifax / Cape Breton07-082008-04-08103:02
11Victoriaville / Drummondville87-881988-03-20103:00
12Val-d`Or / P.E.I.12-132013-04-01101:03
13Hull / Val-d`Or95-961996-04-11100:45
14Rouyn-Noranda / Halifax16-172017-03-31100:26
15Saint John / Gatineau10-112011-05-1199:16

The era of Thinel, Mallette, Groulx is a real eye-catcher for the supporters of the Tigres!

The Cup was awarded to the Tigres in 2002!

. . .

Danny Groulx joins a select QMJHL club - he reaches the 300 POINTS mark

In over 55 years of history, the QMJHL has seen only 5 defensemen reach the 300-point mark in regular season. Robert Picard (313 points | 1977) was the first, while the last was Danny Groulx (332 | 2002). Pierre Sévigny (318 points | 1982), Billy Campbell (321 | 1984) and Jean-Marc Richard (301 | 1987) are also members of this select club.

The players, led by captain Carl Mallette, were welcomed at Victoriaville City Hall by Mayor Roger Richard for the signing of the Golden Book. The Tigres had won the final in 6 games (4-2) against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan a few days earlier, on Sunday, May 12th 2002.
The players, led by captain Carl Mallette, were welcomed at Victoriaville City Hall by Mayor Roger Richard for the signing of the Golden Book. The Tigres had won the final in 6 games (4-2) against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan a few days earlier, on Sunday, May 12th 2002.
Danny Groulx and Carl Mallette - their extraordinary offensive contribution led the Tigres to top honors in the spring of 2002. Groulx was also named the QMJHL playoffs Most Valuable Player with his 39 points in 22 games, finishing first in playoff scoring.
Danny Groulx and Carl Mallette - their extraordinary offensive contribution led the Tigres to top honors in the spring of 2002. Groulx was also named the QMJHL playoffs Most Valuable Player with his 39 points in 22 games, finishing first in playoff scoring.
Mario Durocher (head coach) and John Greene (general manager), during the parade in the streets of Victoriaville in the spring of 2002.
Mario Durocher (head coach) and John Greene (general manager), during the parade in the streets of Victoriaville in the spring of 2002.

GO the TIGRES - theme song!

Grifftou - the friendly mascot of the Tigres!
Grifftou - the friendly mascot of the Tigres!
Make way for Gourde, Devos, Danault and company!

In the 2010s...

Yanni Gourde (Victoriaville | 2011-12) - As a 20-year-old, the St-Narcisse native finished the season with 124 points, 23 ahead of Titan forward Zach O'Brien. His first-place finish in QMJHL scoring earned him the Jean-Béliveau Trophy.
Yanni Gourde (Victoriaville | 2011-12) - As a 20-year-old, the St-Narcisse native finished the season with 124 points, 23 ahead of Titan forward Zach O'Brien. His first-place finish in QMJHL scoring earned him the Jean-Béliveau Trophy.
Yanick Jean (Victoriaville | 2007=>2014) - he still holds two important records with the Tigres, with his 229 victories and 425 games in the regular season, as head coach.
Yanick Jean (Victoriaville | 2007=>2014) - he still holds two important records with the Tigres, with his 229 victories and 425 games in the regular season, as head coach.
Philip Danault (Victoriaville | 2009=>2012) - a proud Victoriaville native who became captain of the Tigres during 127 games. His offensive record in 3 and a half seasons in Victoriaville was 210 points in 216 regular season games. Note that his father Alain Danault was the house announcer for local Tigres games from 1987 to 2005.
Philip Danault (Victoriaville | 2009=>2012) - a proud Victoriaville native who became captain of the Tigres during 127 games. His offensive record in 3 and a half seasons in Victoriaville was 210 points in 216 regular season games. Note that his father Alain Danault was the house announcer for local Tigres games from 1987 to 2005.
CHAMPIONS IN A VAST ARENA, FAR FROM THEIR "COLISÉE DESJARDINS"

A 2nd President Cup quite special for the Tigres

2021 – the Victoriaville Tigres win the President Cup Final in 6 games (4-2) against the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

All games of the semi-final and final series were presented in the protected environment of the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, due to the "social distancing" imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; approximately 2,000 spectators per game – the limit allowed by the government – ​​were able to take their seats to watch the last 5 games of the final.

The Tigres did not have the chance to represent the QMJHL at the Memorial Cup tournament in 2021. For the Ontario League, like the Western League, there were no playoffs, forcing the cancellation of the end-of-season competition in the CHL.
The Tigres did not have the chance to represent the QMJHL at the Memorial Cup tournament in 2021. For the Ontario League, like the Western League, there were no playoffs, forcing the cancellation of the end-of-season competition in the CHL.
Captain Mikhail Abramov receives the President Cup from QMJHL Commissioner Gilles Courteau. In 3 games, Abramov scored the winning goal during the post-season playoffs.
Captain Mikhail Abramov receives the President Cup from QMJHL Commissioner Gilles Courteau. In 3 games, Abramov scored the winning goal during the post-season playoffs.
Whether it was Nikolas Hurtubise, Vincent Sévigny, Conor Frenette or Alex Beaucage, they all had a big say in the team's successes in June 2021. Not forgetting Benjamin Tardif who inherited the Guy-Lafleur Trophy!
Whether it was Nikolas Hurtubise, Vincent Sévigny, Conor Frenette or Alex Beaucage, they all had a big say in the team's successes in June 2021. Not forgetting Benjamin Tardif who inherited the Guy-Lafleur Trophy!

As late as June 2021, after a season shortened due to the pandemic, it was in front of a crowd limited to 2,000 spectators at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City that the Victoriaville Tigres won the 6th game of the final series against the Foreurs in 2nd overtime, eliminating Val-d'Or by 4 games to 2.

Alex Beaucage scored the winning goal in this historic 3-2 victory.

This was the team's 2nd President Cup, and also the 2nd for Carl Mallette, the head coach; the latter was the Tigres' captain during their 1st playoff championship in 2002.

Benjamin Tardif received the Guy-Lafleur Trophy as the "Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs".

The Tigres continue to compete!

Defenseman Pier-Olivier Roy and goalkeeper Nathan Darveau excel

In 2022-23, goaltender Nathan Darveau proved to be the big star of the Victoriaville team. With his goals-against average of 2.34 and his save percentage of .929 (2 franchise records), the QMJHL recognized Darveau as the goaltender of the year by selecting him on the 1st all-star team.

. . .

The greatest names in the history of this franchise: Jacques Lemaire, Guy Rouleau, Marc Saumier, Stéphane Fiset, Yves Racine, Alexandre Daigle, Mathieu Garon, Carl Mallette, Danny Groulx, Matthew Lombardi, Philip Danault, Yanni Gourde, Nathan Darveau, Pier-Olivier Roy…

Nathan Darveau (Victoriaville | 2020=>2024) - lifetime records with the Tigres: goals against average (2.69), save percentage (.920). In fact, this save percentage of .920 places him on a par in QMJHL history with Ondrej Pavelec (Cape Breton | 2005=>2007).
Nathan Darveau (Victoriaville | 2020=>2024) - lifetime records with the Tigres: goals against average (2.69), save percentage (.920). In fact, this save percentage of .920 places him on a par in QMJHL history with Ondrej Pavelec (Cape Breton | 2005=>2007).
Pier-Olivier Roy (Victoriaville | 2020=>2024) - with 154 lifetime regular season points, he ranks 3rd in franchise history among defensemen, behind Danny Groulx (266) and Yves Racine (252).
Pier-Olivier Roy (Victoriaville | 2020=>2024) - with 154 lifetime regular season points, he ranks 3rd in franchise history among defensemen, behind Danny Groulx (266) and Yves Racine (252).

Alain Danault tells us...

He served as the in-house announcer for approximately 700 Victoriaville Tigres games over 19 years. Here, he offers audio suggestions for some of the best clips used to host local games at the "Victo" Coliseum in the 1990s and 2000s. Here are some montages he and his team produced to cheer up the Coliseum crowd over the years... "They have a penalty! Yeah!" or "What's that!" - you'll remember these when you listen to this.

...

As a bonus, found on YouTube, an excerpt from the catchy "Gigue à Gaston"!

What memories were brought back in 2017, with the return of Gaston, the jitter, for the duration of a historic game... Alain Danault, former house announcer of the Tigres during more than 600 games in 19 years in the 1990s and 2000s... Here are some montages that his team and he produced to cheer up the crowd at the Coliseum...
What memories were brought back in 2017, with the return of Gaston, the jitter, for the duration of a historic game... Alain Danault, former house announcer of the Tigres during more than 600 games in 19 years in the 1990s and 2000s... Here are some montages that his team and he produced to cheer up the crowd at the Coliseum...