Jean Charest Confident in Quebec’s Hockey Future
QMI Agency is reporting that Quebec premier Jean Charest is more than a little confident in his province’s prospects for getting a new NHL team. Charest met with Gary Bettman during the Montreal Canadiens game last Friday and it was reported that the NHL commissioner is “sincere” and wants to see a team back in Quebec City.
“I think it’s going to happen. I say that by intuition. With these issues, [it's possible] to only see obstacles, but when you realize that the people who are directly concerned are looking for reasons to do it. And that’s what I felt with Mr. Bettman. You can feel that he’s optimistic and very open to there being a team in Quebec City,” Charest told QMI Agency.
The city, as many know, is currently in the process of building a brand new facility to house the team. There is the minor hurdle of needing to find an owner, but the premier didn’t seem to think that would be a very big deal.
Bettman, who has already spoken with Quebec City major Regis Labeaume, has continually said that a new team in the province of Quebec was a real possibility. A timeline has yet to be put in place, but with the government of the province more than fully on board and the proper arrangements seemingly falling into place, it looks like this could really happen.
“They’ve established rules (like relocation) that give a better chance to cities like Quebec City,” Charest said. “They’ve put a framework together that allows a club to be operated with predictable costs.”
Of course, Bettman would be foolish to consider expansion at this point and time and it is almost a given that relocation is the answer here. The Phoenix Coyotes clearly have to be at the top of the list, with the Thrashers in Atlanta not far behind in terms of possible teams relocating to Quebec City. Still, any move will probably be a long way off yet and fans would be best served to bide their time.
Posted by Jordan Richardson.
Tags: Gary Bettman, hockey, jean charest, quebec city, relocation