With the cancellation of the pre-season games until September 30th and the lack of talks between the NHL and the NHLPA regarding a new CBA, hockey fans are looking at all the options they can to satisfy their hockey craving during the lock-out. Some fans will turn to the KHL and other European leagues where several NHLers have already landed. Others will watch the AHL and the CHL, which both offer quality hockey at affordable prices to the American and Canadian hockey fans.
Well, Thursday will begin the Players’ Tour in Chateaguay, a suburb of Montreal, a project launched by two players of the Philadelphia Flyers, Maxime Talbot and Bruno Gervais. The first game, which will happen at the Chateauguay Multisports Centre, will feature 26 NHL players, including nine Montreal Canadiens players, as well as several players from Quebec.
Team Montreal will be coached by former Nordiques defenseman Gaston Therrien of RDS, while former Canadiens enforcer Dave Morissette of TVA Sports will coach team Quebec.
Team Montreal
Marc-André Fleury
Josh Gorges
Andrei Markov
Bruno Gervais
Jason Pominville
Maxime Talbot
Mathieu Darche
Steve Bégin
Alexandre Burrows
Colby Armstrong
Brian Gionta
Derick Brassard
Guillaume Latendresse
Team Quebec
Jonathan Bernier
Brandon Prust
Francis Bouillon
Roman Hamrlik
David Desharnais
Steve Bernier
Simon Gagné
David Perron
Mathieu Perreault
Benoit Pouliot
Lars Eller
Travis Moen
Marc-Édouard Vlasic
Tickets will only be sold at the gate for the low price of $20. The exhibition game, which will begin at 7PM, is aiming to collect funds for non-profit foundations, as well as the minor hockey association of the area.
You can follow the Player’s Tour on Twitter and on Facebook.
Other dates will be announced every week until the NHL conflict is resolved.
Follow me on Twitter for more updates on the QMJHL and hockey in general.