Wikipedia

Trois-Rivières Lions

For the original franchise, see Trois-Rivières Lions (1955–1960).

The Trois-Rivières Lions (French: Lions de Trois-Rivières) are a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL based in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team began play in the 2021–22 season, with home games held at Colisée Vidéotron. They are affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League, and the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League. The Lions won the Kelly Cup in the 2024–25 ECHL season.

Trois-Rivières Lions
Lions de Trois-Rivières
CityTrois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
LeagueECHL
ConferenceEastern
DivisionNorth
Founded2021
Home arenaColisée Vidéotron
ColoursMetal grey, Quebec blue
   
Owner(s)Spire Sports + Entertainment
General managerRon Choules
Head coachRon Choules
AffiliatesMontreal Canadiens (NHL)
Laval Rocket (AHL)
Websitelions3r.com Edit this at Wikidata
Franchise history
2021–presentTrois-Rivières Lions
Championships
Division titles1 (2024–25)
Conference titles1 (2024–25)
Kelly Cups1 (2024–25)
Current season

History

With construction beginning in early 2020 to replace the aging Colisée de Trois-Rivières, Dean MacDonald, majority owner of the Newfoundland Growlers (through his group Deacon Sports and Entertainment (DSE)), came to an agreement with Trois-Rivières city officials to place an ECHL franchise in Colisée Vidéotron for the 2021–22 season.[1][2] In November 2020, the team finalized its lease agreement.[3] Subsequently, the Lions organization was approved by the league's board of governors in January 2021.[4] That same month, the Montreal Canadiens announced that the foregoing would serve as their ECHL affiliate.[5]

In June 2021, the team name was announced as the Trois-Rivières Lions, a homage to the only previous professional team to play in the city, the Trois-Rivières Lions, from 1955 to 1960.[6] Days later, Éric Bélanger was appointed as the team's inaugural head coach.[7]

In early 2024, DSE was experiencing financial difficulties, and owed the city of Trois-Rivières nearly CA$1 million in arena back rent. In April 2024, the Growlers also owned by DSE, ceased operations.[8] The ECHL took temporary ownership of the Lions pending the sale of the franchise to new ownership, allowing the team to complete the 2023–24 season.[9] A week later, the league approved the purchase of the Lions by American businessman Jeff Dickerson via his company Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E).[10]

During the 2024–25 season, the team set a single-season high for wins, earned their first divisional title,[11][12] and won the 2025 Kelly Cup playoffs.[13]

Season-by-season results

Regular season Playoffs
Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Standing 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Kelly Cup
2021–22 69 34 29 5 1 74 230 233 3rd, North L, 3–4, NFL — — —
2022–23 72 29 40 3 0 61 216 273 6th, North Did not qualify
2023–24 69 31 30 5 3 70 204 229 3rd, North L, 2–4, NOR — — —
2024–25 72 45 19 6 2 98 251 186 1st, North W, 4–0, REA W, 4–2, NOR W, 4–2, FLA W, 4–1, TOL

Players and personnel

Team captains

  • Cédric Montminy, 2021–2024[14][15]
  • Morgan Adams-Moisan, 2024–present[16]

Head coaches

Notable players

The following alumni have advanced to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) after playing for the Lions as of the conclusion of the 2023–24 season:[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pratt, Alexandre (February 4, 2020). "Pour qui l'aréna de 60 millions?" [Who is the 60 million arena for?]. La Presse (in French). Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Rioux, Benoît (July 9, 2020). "ECHL: Trois-Rivières aura son Club de Hockey" [ECHL: Trois-Rivières will have its own Hockey Club]. TVA Sports (in French).
  3. ^ "Trois-Rivieres one step closer to hosting rumoured Canadiens ECHL affiliate team". CTV News. November 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "ECHL Approves Two Expansion Memberships". ECHL. January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "The Canadiens announce affiliation with the new ECHL Trois-Rivières club". Montreal Canadiens. January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  6. ^ "Introducing the Trois-Rivières Lions". ECHL. June 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "ECHL: Éric Bélanger devient l'entraîneur des Lions de Trois-Rivières" [ECHL: Éric Bélanger becomes coach of the Trois-Rivières Lions]. Le Journal de Québec (in French). June 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers terminated by league". Sportsnet.ca. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Vachon, Matthew (April 2, 2024). "Un sursis accordé aux Lions" [A reprieve granted to the Lions]. Le Nouvelliste (in French). Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  10. ^ "Les Lions de Trois-Rivières vendus officiellement" [The Trois-Rivières Lions officially sold]. La Presse (in French). April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "Lions record 35th win of the season, setting a team record". Trois-Rivières Lions. February 23, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  12. ^ "Lions are North Division champions!". Trois-Rivières Lions. April 4, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  13. ^ Kuehl, Tyler (June 7, 2025). "Trois-Rivieres Lions win ECHL's Kelly Cup for first time". DailyFaceoff.com. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  14. ^ "Cédric Montminy named captain of the Lions". Trois-Rivières Lions. October 18, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  15. ^ "Cedric Montminy to retire from professional hockey". Trois-Rivières Lions. July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  16. ^ "Lions reveal 2024-25 Season-Opening roster". Trois-Rivières Lions. October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  17. ^ Richard, Nicholas (November 22, 2022). "Éric Bélanger quitte les Lions de Trois-Rivières" [Éric Bélanger leaves the Trois-Rivières Lions]. La Presse (in French). Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  18. ^ MacMillan, Ken (August 22, 2023). "Montreal Canadiens: Surprising Coaching Shakeup With Trois-Rivieres Lions". FanSided. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  19. ^ "Pascal Rhéaume a choisi cette équipe au lieu des Lions" [Pascal Rhéaume chose this team instead of the Lions]. Le Journal de Montréal (in French). September 1, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  20. ^ Galanopoulos, Chris (August 23, 2023). "Significant Changes in Play for Montreal Canadiens ECHL Affiliate". The Hockey News. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  21. ^ "A third former Lion makes it to the NHL". Trois-Rivières Lions. March 2, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
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