A new book has been published that reflects on the future of Quebec hockey as well as the potential creation of Quebec national teams.
It’s called “Quelque chose comme une grande équipe,” which translates to Something like a great team. It’s written by Guillaume Ringuette and Tristan Fortin and addresses a number of issues such as player development, the accessibility of hockey, Quebec’s place within Canadian structures, and the possibility of establishing its own national hockey teams.
“The main idea is of course to get Quebec a national team,” said Ringuette. “To be represented. That’s all. That’s what it means and to exist at the international level.”
Fortin added, “The Quebec National Hockey Team would be for every Quebecer. It’s to get together like it’s been before and a team for everyone.”
The authors propose to have two initial national teams for both genders, a 17-year-old and under team, and an 18 and under team to give players international experience prior to the NHL entry draft.
“We also found that we were systematically underrepresented in Team Canada’s selection. And also the Quebec players’ proportion was diminishing in the NHL. So we thought there was a problem there,” said Fortin.
Catherine Laroche, the founder and CEO of Égaux sans ego, suggests that rather than creating a Quebec national team which could create more pressure on players, the key to improving hockey development in Quebec is to make it more enjoyable.
“The more we give them back pleasure, because they don’t have pleasure anymore. So again, we put another team, but the guys will want to perform and be in anxiety because it’s performing, performing, performing. These guys all put those kids in their feet because they had pleasure and they forget about it around 15-16 when elite comes in,” said Laroche.
Ringuette says, “Our idea is to create, of course, the development of the individual and the player. And maybe one day to be an Olympian for Quebec, but it’s just the first step.”
At the press conference to launch the new book, jerseys for future Quebec national hockey teams were also revealed.
“The jerseys are like the materialization of the idea. So it’s mostly a heart thing, and people can dream to have, like, to play for Quebec,” Ringuette explained.
Fortin added, “We want to put hockey back at the center of our identity. It’s our national sport, and I think that having national teams could help do that.”
