The NHL Is Officially Coming Back To Quebec

PUBLICATION

Hunter Bowman
November 14, 2023 (4:37 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Luc Robitaille, the president of the Los Angeles Kings, is currently in his hometown of Quebec, making a notable announcement. The Kings are set to engage in two pre-season exhibition games at Quebec City's Videotron Centre in October 2024, leading up to the commencement of the 2024-25 NHL season.

In a lighthearted remark during the announcement, Robitaille humorously mentioned, "We wanted to eat real poutine."

The decision to host these matches in Quebec reportedly stems from a financial perspective. The city of Quebec is said to be investing $5 million to entice the Kings to hold the games and conduct a week of their training camp in the region.

For some, the allocation of tax dollars toward a billionaire NHL owner might raise eyebrows, especially among Quebec residents. The financial incentive, however, is a driving force behind the decision.

The Kings' official press release elaborated on the preseason schedule, revealing that the team would face off against the Boston Bruins on October 3 and the Florida Panthers on October 5. The training camp at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City is scheduled to kick off on October 2. This marks the NHL's return to Quebec City after a hiatus of more than five years, with the Videotron Centre considered NHL-ready.

The announcement aligns with the Kings' inability to host home preseason games at Crypto.com Arena for the 2024-25 season due to ongoing renovations. The final phase of enhancements at the arena is set to conclude before the regular season begins, and the Kings plan to resume hosting preseason home games at Crypto.com Arena for the 2025-26 season. Additional 2024 preseason contests by the Kings will be disclosed at a later date.

Beyond the logistical details, the Kings' roster features players with ties to Quebec, including forwards Pierre-Luc Dubois and Phillip Danault, both hailing from the province and having played junior hockey in the QMJHL. Defenseman Jordan Spence, while not a Quebec native, also played his junior hockey in the QMJHL. Notably, the Kings' announcement omitted mention of the $5 million incentive associated with the venue switch.