When the Quebec Remparts last won the President’s Cup — now the Gilles Courteau Trophy — Patrick Roy was 11, Guy Lafleur was in his fifth NHL season and Montreal was gearing up to host the Summer Olympics . It was 47 years ago.
In the Videotron center, the Remparts team photo from 1976 reminds us that Jean Gagnon was the captain of this team led by Ron Racette.
Even though the years have passed, Gagnon has not forgotten this latest Red Devils win and the hype that reigned in Quebec City.
Photo Archives, The Journal
From the pages of the Journal in 1976 after the last President’s Cup won by the Remparts.
A full coliseum
At this point, the Colosseum was packed, with 13,000 fans crammed into the amphitheater, which only held 10,000 spectators.
“It was amazing that at that time people were sitting on the stairs and it was smoking. There was smoke everywhere! The players were grateful to the people of Quebec for supporting us throughout, even though we weren’t among the favorites at the beginning.”
Photo Archives, The Journal
The Remparts were actually not the favourites. Led by Denis Turcotte and Joseph Godin, and Gagnon, the Remparts finished third in the QMJHL with 86 points.
In the final they had to face the might of the Circle, the Sherbrooke Castors, who finished the regular season with 111 points, 24 more than the Cornwall Royals who had finished second and 25 more than the Remparts.
Photo Archives, The Journal
The end of scarcity?
Neglected, they eventually defeated the Castors in six games. “Amazing,” headlined the Journal, while Le Soleil spoke of the triumph of determination.
“We weren’t necessarily the most talented team, but we had character and that made a difference at the time. There was a lot of intimidation before the games, but we had a really strong side. We didn’t shy away from anyone,” Gagnon recalls.
Although the Remparts won the 2006 Memorial Cup, a QMJHL champion banner has not been flown from the ceiling of their home since 1976. For the captain of this last edition of the championship, the Remparts 2023 have everything he needed to put an end to this shortage.
“Honestly, I’m watching the Remparts today and they play with intensity, they limit mistakes and their goalie is doing his job. The important thing is to win the last part of the year. »