Nova Scotia Voyageurs

American Hockey League (1971-1984)

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Nova Scotia Voyageurs
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Halifax’s “Vees” were one of the best minor league hockey teams of the 1970’s, winning three Calder Cup championships while developing a stream of talent for the Montreal Canadiens’ powerhouse NHL squads.

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Background

The Halifax-based Nova Scotia Voyageurs were the top farm club of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens for nearly a decade-and-a-half. The “Vees” helped to power Montreal’s dynasty of the 1970’s, an era that saw the Habs win five Stanley Cups between 1973 and 1979, including a four-peat from 1976-1979. The Vees also won three Calder Cups as champions of the American Hockey League during this era, including back-to-back wins in 1976 and 1977.

Road To The Hall

Future Hall-of-Famers Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey and Rod Langway all spent time with the Vees, though only Robinson played a full season in Nova Scotia. Robinson, in his first season of pro hockey, helped anchor the defense for the Vees’ first Calder Cup championship team in 1971-72 (see video section below).

All three of the Voyageurs Cup titles came while the team played at the old Halifax Forum. The team averaged fewer than 3,000 fans per night throughout the 1970’s. The club moved into the brand new Halifax Metro Centre in 1978 and attendance slowly began to climb. From 1982 to 1984, the Vees reported averaged crowds of over 4,500 a night, which consistently placed the club among the top 4-5 draws in the AHL.

Vees Out, Oilers In

Despite the apparent increase in box office, Montreal wished to move their top farm club back to Quebec. The Canadiens were tied into a lease at the Metro Centre for two more seasons. But in the spring of 1984, they arranged a multi-team swap of farm clubs with the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets. The deal saw the Oilers shift their AHL affiliate from Moncton to Halifax and take over the Vees’ lease at the Metro Centre. The Canadiens then bailed the Jets out of their money-bleeding farm operation in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The Sherbrooke Jets became the Sherbrooke Canadiens for the 1984-85 season, with players provided by both Winnipeg and Montreal.

The Sherbrooke Canadiens won the 1985 Calder Cup, thanks in part to the playoff heroics of a rookie goaltender named Patrick Roy. Meanwhile back in Halifax, attendance nosedived for the Nova Scotia Oilers back under 3,000 fans per night. The team would leave town after just four seasons.

Nova Scotia Voyageurs Shop

Nova Scotia Voyageurs Video

1972: the Voyageurs become the first Canadian team to win the AHL’s Calder Cup.

Links

American Hockey League Media Guides

American Hockey League Programs

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