Whispers of “what could have been” in 2020 still haunt the Moncton Wildcats and their loyal fanbase. Those nightmares might soon fade away forever depending on what the 2024-25 version of the Cats can do in the QMJHL Finals. Living in the past and “what if” scenarios tend to cloud the mind even after five years, but what about 15 years?
The 2019-2020 Maritimes Division Champions banner proudly hangs at the west end of the Avenir Centre along with other historic championship triumphs. The history, tradition and passion of the Moncton Wildcats run deep.
What made the Wildcats last championship team so special? What made that group of players and staff champions?
Photo Credit Daniel St Louis
In 2005-2006 the Moncton Wildcats played host to hockey’s holy grail, but they wanted to enter that tournament as QMJHL Champions and that’s exactly what they did defeating the Quebec Remparts in an epic series.
Champions are forever, but the Wildcats faithful back then wouldn’t have to wait very long to claim another “Q” league championship.
Poised for Another Run
The Moncton Wildcats were poised for another run at league supremacy just four years after their claiming their first ever title.
Danny Flynn returned behind the bench, this time as head coach and the Wildcats found themselves vying for another championship, this time against interprovincial rivals the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Kelsey Tessier, Gabriel Bourque, Mark Barberio, Brandon Gormley, Nic Deschamps and Nic Riopel were some of the standouts on that squad.
“We made some aggressive moves with Tessier and Bourque, but we also brought Nicolas Deschamps in, and he was a really strong addition,” said Danny Flynn.
“It was unfortunate he got hurt in the playoffs and we didn’t have him for a lot of the playoffs or the Memorial Cup,” Flynn added.
“It was a team again that had great chemistry, character and leadership that year,” said Flynn. David Savard was CHL Defencemen of the Year and was a leader of a real solid blueline with Barberio and Gormley.”
“We got Nic Riopel back from the American league at Christmas and that solidified our goaltending. “We were able to take good team, a close-knit team and made some real good acquisitions at the deadline that really improved our team,” explained Flynn.
“From my very first junior camp at 16 years old, all the fans welcomed me to the city and organization,” said Nic Riopel, who considers his time in Moncton the best four years of his life, hockey wise.
“They were all great people. They made me feel right at home in Moncton. The atmosphere in Moncton, especially during the playoffs with everyone wearing either white or red, was really intimidating for the other teams coming into the Coliseum,” said Riopel.
The Wildcats would claim their second President Cup in four years as they beat the Sea Dogs in six games in front of another sellout.
“In the four rounds to win the President Cup we had to beat three teams that had 100 point seasons and played round three and four without home ice and without Nic Deschamps,” said Flynn.
Flynn considers the two championship seasons as major accomplishments. “It’s a tough trophy to win, and almost half the franchises in the league haven’t won it once, so to be able to be part of two championship teams is something that I’m very proud of,” he said.
Long-time Wildcats equipment manager Serge LeBlanc believes both teams were unique, but equally as special. “To see the kids that grew up in the organization and seeing them go through all kinds of highs and lows during their career and then to see them lift the Cup was truly amazing to be a part of,” said Leblanc, who had been with the club for 11 seasons.
Photo Credit Hockey Canada
Former Wildcats assistant coach and current St Louis Blues video Coach, Darryl Seward believed the additions of Tessier and Bourque at Christmas that year was crucial.
“That year was really special, we had a lot players for a few years and at Christmas when we added “Tess” and “Bourquie”, it really pulled the group together”
“The fans in Moncton are awesome,” Seward said.
“They are a knowledgeable fan base, and they support the team without exception. The players should be very thankful they have fans like that.”
“We had a lot of great players that year and I’ve been on a lot of teams over the years, but that was a really close-knit team, guys really cared for each other and you could see it on the ice, we all genuinely wanted success, and we played for each other,” said former Wildcats star defencemen Brandon Gormley.
Photo Credit Daniel St Louis
Alex Saulnier was only 16-years-old during the 2010 Championship run but that experience influenced the remainder of his hockey career.
“It was a dream come true. I was able to learn a lot from the older guys on that team. It allowed me to develop immensely as a player,” said Saulnier.
“The atmosphere in the Coliseum was unbelievable. We only lost a few games during that Cup run and I think the fans were a big reason why,” added Saulnier.
The 2006 and 2010 President Cup Champion Moncton Wildcats Teams will live on in Hub City hockey lore. The 2024-2025 Moncton Wildcats have a chance to capture the franchises 3rd championship and solidify their place in Moncton’s hockey history.
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