History & Records section - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
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Mooseheads Halifax
Franchise
HALIFAX - 1994

History

In Clément Jodoin, the Mooseheads have found an outstanding builder

The first Maritimes team admitted into the QMJHL, the Mooseheads took no time in establishing themselves in their first campaign (1994-95).

Encouraged by excellent crowds varying between 5,000 and 10,000 people per game at the Metro Centre, the Mooseheads team became an instant success within the community.

Especially because head coach and general manager Clément Jodoin made his team more than competitive. From 1994-95 to 1996-97, his team made the playoffs. In the 3rd attempt in 1997, the Mooseheads reached the semi-final, and were only one win away from participating in the Memorial Cup tournament. It was ultimately Chicoutimi who beat Halifax in the 7th and final game of the series, which advanced to the national championship.

Already, the term "Expansion Franchise" was far behind, mainly due to the work ethic imposed by the fine strategist and motivator, Clément Jodoin. The latter was admitted to the QMJHL Hall of Fame on June 8th 2023. He will have spent 3 great seasons in Halifax...

HALIFAX - 1994 | Harold MacKay, (president) | Etienne Drapeau (rookie forward) | Jean-Sébastien Giguère (goalie) | Clément Jodoin (head coach)
HALIFAX - 1994 | Harold MacKay, (president) | Etienne Drapeau (rookie forward) | Jean-Sébastien Giguère (goalie) | Clément Jodoin (head coach)

In their first campaign, a total of 158,380 fans attended the games of their new team. In addition, a peak in attendance was reached during the 2012-13 season, with 386,653 spectators.

Alex Tanguay (Halifax | 1996=>1999) - first player to score 100 goals in a Mooseheads uniform at the end of the 1998-99 season. The record is now 119 and belongs to Brandon Benedict.
Alex Tanguay (Halifax | 1996=>1999) - first player to score 100 goals in a Mooseheads uniform at the end of the 1998-99 season. The record is now 119 and belongs to Brandon Benedict.
Jean-Sébastien Giguère - he made his mark in front of the Mooseheads' net. He would become a first-round pick of the Hartford Whalers in the 1995 National League draft.
Jean-Sébastien Giguère - he made his mark in front of the Mooseheads' net. He would become a first-round pick of the Hartford Whalers in the 1995 National League draft.
Jody Shelley (Halifax | 1994=>1997) - his number 25 was retired by the Mooseheads in 2003. He played 211 games with Halifax during which he made sure to give his teammates a lot of space by playing very "physical". He received 1100 penalty minutes, including seasons and playoffs, and this in 3 seasons.
Jody Shelley (Halifax | 1994=>1997) - his number 25 was retired by the Mooseheads in 2003. He played 211 games with Halifax during which he made sure to give his teammates a lot of space by playing very "physical". He received 1100 penalty minutes, including seasons and playoffs, and this in 3 seasons.

Halifax hosted the classic Memorial Cup in 2000. The Mooseheads lost in the semi-finals to the Barrie Colts, while the Oceanic walked away with the national title.

Ramzi Abid led the charge for the Mooseheads in that tournament, finishing first scorer with 10 points including 6 goals.

Brandon Benedict (Halifax | 1998=>2003) - he still holds the record for most regular season games played (343). On the other hand, for almost 20 years, he held the mark of 303 points, until Jordan Dumais passed in the 2023-24 season (325).
Brandon Benedict (Halifax | 1998=>2003) - he still holds the record for most regular season games played (343). On the other hand, for almost 20 years, he held the mark of 303 points, until Jordan Dumais passed in the 2023-24 season (325).

The Mooseheads appeared in the league finals twice in the mid-2000s.

Losing in a seventh game to the Hull Olympiques in 2003 and in four games to the Rimouski Oceanic in 2005

JONATHAN DROUIN - Winner of the Guy-Lafleur Trophy in the spring of 2013 as the most valuable player of the playoffs

Since the end of his major junior internship in 2014, he has been ranked 2nd in the QMJHL with his 102 lifetime points in the playoffs. He is ranked 2nd in history behind Jacques Jr Locas (153).

Nathan MacKinnon - he shone brightly at the 2013 Memorial Cup tournament. It was widely agreed that he was the best player in the competition, and his 5 points in the deciding game of the tournament only confirmed it.
Nathan MacKinnon - he shone brightly at the 2013 Memorial Cup tournament. It was widely agreed that he was the best player in the competition, and his 5 points in the deciding game of the tournament only confirmed it.
Jonathan Drouin (Halifax | 2012=>2014) - in playoffs: 50 games, 34 goals, 68 assists, 102 points, Plus-Minus differential of +37...
Jonathan Drouin (Halifax | 2012=>2014) - in playoffs: 50 games, 34 goals, 68 assists, 102 points, Plus-Minus differential of +37...
IN 2014-15! Zachary Fucale (Halifax-Quebec | 2012=>2015) - he brings his total of playoff games won to 49. He will then hold the league record for a season... Fucale won 35 of his 49 games in the Halifax Mooseheads uniform.
IN 2014-15! Zachary Fucale (Halifax-Quebec | 2012=>2015) - he brings his total of playoff games won to 49. He will then hold the league record for a season... Fucale won 35 of his 49 games in the Halifax Mooseheads uniform.

The ultimate coronation in 2012-13

After tying the league record with a historic 58-win regular season in 2012-13, the Mooseheads will add to their regular season title the successive quest for the President Cup and the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2013, notably via the combined exploits of young talents Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon, future first-round picks in the 2013 National League draft.

Halifax - 2013 Memorial Cup Champions
Halifax - 2013 Memorial Cup Champions
The Huskies were always and everywhere in the Mooseheads' path.

What a memorable season 2018-19 was, all the same!

In 2018-19, with their new head coach, the experienced Eric Veilleux, the Mooseheads celebrated their 25th season in grand style. Among other things, they will participate in their 4th league final, but unfortunately will not be able to defeat the powerful Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, losing 4 games to 2.

Then, as the host team of the Memorial Cup tournament, Halifax will deliver quite the opposition, and will play an "all QMJHL" final against... the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. After taking a 2-0 lead in this Canadian championship match, the local favorites will go down 4-2 to the great dismay of their approximately 10,000 fans gathered at the Scotiabank Centre.

2019 - In the President Cup final, the Huskies' defensive brigade gave the Mooseheads no chance. The final was lost by 4 games to 2.
2019 - In the President Cup final, the Huskies' defensive brigade gave the Mooseheads no chance. The final was lost by 4 games to 2.
Eric Veilleux (2018-19) - only one season behind the Mooseheads bench, but oh so interesting! A 3rd place in the season with 49 wins, and long playoffs until the final against the too powerful Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Without forgetting that the Mooseheads, as host club, participated in the Memorial Cup tournament; again, the Huskies were too strong in the final!
Eric Veilleux (2018-19) - only one season behind the Mooseheads bench, but oh so interesting! A 3rd place in the season with 49 wins, and long playoffs until the final against the too powerful Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Without forgetting that the Mooseheads, as host club, participated in the Memorial Cup tournament; again, the Huskies were too strong in the final!
2019 Memorial Cup - Mooseheads' Raphael Lavoie congratulates Huskies defensive "general" Noah Dobson. Halifax and Rouyn-Noranda, two superb QMJHL hockey teams in 2018-19.
2019 Memorial Cup - Mooseheads' Raphael Lavoie congratulates Huskies defensive "general" Noah Dobson. Halifax and Rouyn-Noranda, two superb QMJHL hockey teams in 2018-19.
They will dazzle the crowd at the Scotiabank Arena in Halifax

Dumais-Cataford-Rousseau and company...

The 2022-23 season managed to make Mooseheads fans salivate. Jordan Dumais amassed 140 points in the regular season, a new franchise record, while finishing 1st scorer in the QMJHL and also earning the title of Most Valuable Player in the League (Michel-Brière Trophy). The team finished 2nd in the overall standings with 107 points (50 wins), just behind the Quebec Remparts (109 points), in addition to having maintained the best goals-for-per-game average in the entire league (4.87). In the League final, the Mooseheads would be defeated, losing in 6 games to the Quebec Remparts.

Mathieu Cataford (2023-24) - he succeeded his teammate Jordan Dumais, as recipient of the Michel-Brière Trophy as the QMJHL's most valuable player.
Mathieu Cataford (2023-24) - he succeeded his teammate Jordan Dumais, as recipient of the Michel-Brière Trophy as the QMJHL's most valuable player.
Jordan Dumais (2020=>2023) - Team records for lifetime regular season performances, with 325 points, 206 assists, and 119 goals (tied with Brandon Benedict).
Jordan Dumais (2020=>2023) - Team records for lifetime regular season performances, with 325 points, 206 assists, and 119 goals (tied with Brandon Benedict).
Mathis Rousseau (2023-24) - Absolutely smoking all season, his .925 save percentage is actually a new regular season club record for the 19-year-old. His 2.27 goals-against average is second only to Zachary Fucale (2.26 | 2013-14).
Mathis Rousseau (2023-24) - Absolutely smoking all season, his .925 save percentage is actually a new regular season club record for the 19-year-old. His 2.27 goals-against average is second only to Zachary Fucale (2.26 | 2013-14).

In the last days of the 2024-25 regular season, 20 year-old Brady Schultz breaks a defenseman record with the Mooseheads. His lifetime total (153) supplanted Konrad Abeltshauser's mark (150 points | 2009 => 2013) which had prevailed for 12 years.

. . .

The greatest names in the history of this franchise: Harold MacKay, Clément Jodoin, Jean-Sébastien Giguère, Alex Tanguay, Ladislav Nagy, Ramzi Abid, Jakub Voracek, Dominique Ducharme, Zachary Fucale, Jonathan Drouin, Nathan MacKinnon, Nikolaj Ehlers, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, Jared McIsaac, Justin Barron, Cam Russell, Bobby Smith, Jordan Dumais, Mathieu Cataford, Mathis Rousseau…