| Logosize: | 100px |
| Operated: | to 1989 |
| Colours: | Red, White and Blue |
| Dates1: | 1933–72 |
| Dates2: | 1972–75 |
| Dates3: | 1975–82 |
| Dates4: | 1982–84 |
| Name5: | Verdun Junior Canadiens |
| Dates5: | 1984–89 |
| Dates6: | 1989–96 |
| Dates7: | 1996–present |
The Verdun Junior Canadiens were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from 1984 to 1989. They played home games at the Verdun Auditorium, and won the President's Cup during the 1984–85 QMJHL season.
Yvon Lambert was named the team's head coach for the 1984–85 QMJHL season. He resigned on March 8, 1985, with five games remaining, because he said "it was too difficult for him to motivate amateur-level players".[1] Jean Bégin was named head coach for the final five games of the season and the playoffs.[2] The team that season included future NHL players Claude Lemieux, Jimmy Carson, Gerry Fleming, Shane MacEachern, and Everett Sanipass.[3]
Bégin led Verdun to three wins in the remainder of the regular season, and a first-place finish in the Lebel Division. In the playoffs, Verdun defeated the Hull Olympiques four games to one in the first round, then defeated the Shawinigan Cataractes four games to one in the second round, and defeated the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in four consecutive games to win the President's Cup. Claude Lemieux led the league in playoffs scoring 23 goals, and 40 points. Verdun's games in the 1985 Memorial Cup were played in Drummondville, Quebec. Verdun lost 6-3 to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in game one, lost 5-3 to the Prince Albert Raiders in game two, and lost 5-1 to the Shawinigan Cataractes in game three.[4]
Two seasons later the Junior Canadiens began three consecutive seasons placing last in the QMJHL. The team was sold after the 1988–89 season, becoming the Saint-Hyacinthe Laser.
Claude Lemieux was awarded the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the most valuable player in the 1985 playoffs. Jimmy Carson won two awards during the 1984–85 season. He won the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the offensive rookie-of-the-year, and the Michael Bossy Trophy as the best professional prospect. Carson won the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy as most sportsmanlike player during the 1985–86 season.
NHL alumni
Regular season and playoffs results:
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Pct % | Goals for | Goals | Standing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–85 | 68 | 36 | 30 | 2 | 77 | 0.544 | 366 | 319 | 1st in Lebel | |
| 1985–86 | 72 | 38 | 31 | 3 | 79 | 0.549 | 358 | 364 | 2nd in Lebel | |
| 1986–87 | 70 | 14 | 55 | 1 | 29 | 0.207 | 299 | 520 | 5th in Lebel | |
| 1987–88 | 70 | 19 | 47 | 4 | 42 | 0.300 | 285 | 428 | 5th in Lebel | |
| 1988–89 | 70 | 12 | 56 | 2 | 26 | 0.186 | 231 | 387 | 11th in QMJHL |