Tag: Saint-Boniface

Hockeyville brings Stanley Cup and Youppi! to Saint-Boniface

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The Stanley Cup and Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! visited Ecole primaire Sainte-Marie in Saint-Boniface as the first stop on the Cup’s tour through the Kraft Hockeyville-winning community. Pupils aged 5-12 had the day away from classes and, by mid-morning, the Cup was displayed in the school gym. Youppi! arrived shortly afterwards as part of activities connected to the Canadiens’ pre-season visit to the region, which includes a game against the Ottawa Senators at Colisee Videotron in Trois-Rivieres on Monday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN1, NHLN).

Sainte-Marie principal Stephane Lajoie said the visit felt “magical” for the pupils and rewarding for staff who shared the moment. Children were playing ball hockey outside, while another pupil was stickhandling in a hallway, before the Cup was presented at 10 a.m. The event was emceed by Sylvain Bouchard, wearing No. 11 in the colours of the Saint-Boniface Boum of the Saint-Boniface Minor Hockey Association. Bouchard and his wife, Nathalie Bourbonnais, moved to Saint-Boniface in 2000 when the arena opened and have remained involved in local hockey and skating.

Lajoie, who worked as an educational consultant for Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2010-20, said his time in junior hockey taught him the wider disciplines around being an athlete. He recalled working with players including Frederick Gaudreau – now a Seattle Kraken forward entering his 10th NHL season – and future NHL players Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Bournival and Samuel Girard. Lajoie said the lessons of sport – discipline, nutrition and community responsibility – are values he brings into the school.

Beyond the school gym, Hockeyville activities included visits to Villa Mille Soleils, a residence for the elderly, photo opportunities with local firefighters outside Arena de Saint-Boniface, and a supermarket surprise at L’Intermarche to honour the legacy of the late Rejean Gervais and his family, who were among the arena’s original builders. Sophie Milette, owner of Portes Milette Doors, enabled employees to spend time with the Cup in recognition of her contributions to community events and gatherings.

The community celebration continues through the weekend, with red-carpet arrivals for the Senators and Canadiens on Monday. Lajoie said pupils and staff will attend morning skates and the game, with six buses filled and additional families travelling. That evening, a group of about 40 will sing ” O Canada.” For Saint-Boniface, the Hockeyville visit combined the showpiece of the Stanley Cup with longstanding local volunteerism and small-town traditions – an occasion Lajoie described as something the children will ” probably never see again.”

Key Facts

  • Ecole primaire Sainte-Marie in Saint-Boniface hosted the Stanley Cup as part of the Kraft Hockeyville tour stop.
  • Pupils involved were aged 5-12; some were playing ball hockey around 9:30 a.m., while another was stickhandling in a hallway, and the Cup was displayed at 10 a.m.
  • Youppi!, the Montreal Canadiens mascot, made an appearance tied to the team’s pre-season activities in the region.
  • The Canadiens are scheduled to play a pre-season game against the Ottawa Senators at Colisee Videotron in Trois-Rivieres on Monday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN1, NHLN).
  • Sainte-Marie principal Stephane Lajoie said, ” It’s magical for them,” and described the visit as an extraordinary moment for students and staff.
  • Sylvain Bouchard, emcee of the tour stop, wore No. 11 in the colours of the Saint-Boniface Boum; his wife is Nathalie Bourbonnais.
  • Bouchard and Bourbonnais moved to Saint-Boniface in 2000 when the arena opened; both have long ties to local skating and hockey.
  • Lajoie worked as an educational consultant for Shawinigan of the QMJHL from 2010-20 and worked with Frederick Gaudreau, Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Bournival and Samuel Girard.
  • Hockeyville activities included visits to Villa Mille Soleils (a seniors residence), a firefighters’ photo opportunity outside Arena de Saint-Boniface, and an event at L’Intermarche supermarket.
  • The L’Intermarche event honoured the legacy of Rejean Gervais, one of the original builders of Arena de Saint-Boniface; his grandson Martin opened the market with his grandmother, Normande, about 18 months earlier.
  • Community support was evident: many local volunteers and businesses contributed time and resources, including Sophie Milette, owner of Portes Milette Doors, who allowed employees a day with the Cup in recognition of community contributions to local events and gatherings.

IHM Discussion

This visit is a classic Hockeyville moment: the Stanley Cup serves as both a symbol and a catalyst, drawing attention to grassroots programmes and the long-standing volunteer networks that keep small-town rinks alive. The sequence at Sainte-Marie – pupils playing ball hockey, a scheduled display of the Cup at 10 a.m., and a mascot entrance tied to an NHL club’s pre-season stop – brings elite hockey iconography into everyday community life. Sylvain Bouchard’s local involvement and Stéphane Lajoie’s junior-hockey background give the visit local coherence.

The story underlines how Hockeyville brings the NHL’s most recognisable trophy into an accessible community celebration while recognising the work behind local arenas. Honouring the Gervais family and involving seniors at Villa Mille Soleils show that the initiative extends beyond youth hockey to recognise intergenerational contributions. For Saint-Boniface, the event rewards volunteers and gives young players a tangible connection to the game.

Why It Matters

The visit offers young pupils a rare, formative experience with hockey’s highest symbol and spotlights the volunteer networks, local businesses and families – including the Gervais family and the Bouchards – whose long-term commitment sustains community arenas. For the NHL, such stops reinforce hockey’s cultural place in Canadian communities beyond major-city markets.

Mini Q&A

What happened at Ecole primaire Sainte-Marie?

The Stanley Cup was displayed in the school gym as part of the Kraft Hockeyville tour, and Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! made an appearance for pupils, parents and staff.

Who organised or emceed the visit?

The Cup tour stop was emceed by Sylvain Bouchard, a long-time local volunteer who wore No. 11 in the colours of the Saint-Boniface Boum.

Which NHL teams are involved in the wider visit?

The Montreal Canadiens are featured through their mascot Youppi! and the visit coincides with the Canadiens’ pre-season game against the Ottawa Senators at Colisee Videotron in Trois-Rivieres on Monday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN1, NHLN).

How did the school describe the experience?

Sainte-Marie principal Stephane Lajoie called the visit ” magical” for the pupils and said it was an extraordinary experience for staff to share with the children.

What community elements were included in Hockeyville activities?

Activities included visits to a seniors’ residence (Villa Mille Soleils), a firefighters’ photo opportunity outside Arena de Saint-Boniface, and an event at L’Intermarche supermarket honouring the legacy of Rejean Gervais and his family.

Coach Mark Comment

A day with the Stanley Cup can give young players a powerful connection to the game, but its lasting value comes from the habits built afterwards. Coaches can use that excitement to reinforce punctuality, nutrition, respect for volunteers and disciplined practice – the standards Lajoie highlighted through his experience in hockey and education.

What Comes Next

The community celebration continues through the weekend, with a red-carpet arrival for the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens on Monday. The Canadiens play a pre-season game against the Senators at Colisee Videotron in Trois-Rivieres on Monday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN1, NHLN). Lajoie and his pupils are scheduled to attend morning skates and the game, with six buses filled and others travelling with parents; that evening a group of about 40 will sing ” O Canada.”

IHM Final View

Saint-Boniface’s Hockeyville stop delivered a compact reminder of hockey’s social architecture: a symbol of the pro game visiting a town sustained by volunteers, small businesses and multi-generational commitment. For the children at Sainte-Marie, the Cup and Youppi! offered a communal milestone – an experience likely to be retold long after the tour moves on.

Yvan Cournoyer, Stanley Cup headline Hockeyville visit

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Hall of Famer Yvan Cournoyer joined Hockeyville celebrations in Saint-Boniface, Quebec, appearing with the Stanley Cup ahead of Montreal’s pre-season meeting with the Ottawa Senators at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières. The 82-year-old Canadiens ambassador appeared as Saint-Boniface received Hockeyville honours worth $250,000 for upgrades to Arena de Saint-Boniface and $10,000 in new equipment from NHLPA Goals & Dreams and the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund. Cournoyer, who spent his entire NHL playing career with Montreal and won 10 Stanley Cups, spoke of the trophy’s value and the work required to win it. He remains a regular ambassador for the organisation and was among those celebrating grassroots hockey and community investment. Cournoyer’s Canadiens career included 428 goals and 863 points, ranking fourth and sixth respectively in team history. He also scored Canada’s game-winning goal in a 4-1 victory against Russia in Game 2 of the 1972 Summit Series. The Canadiens opened training camp after finishing the previous season 48-24-10 with 106 points and reaching the Eastern Conference Final, where they lost in five games to the Carolina Hurricanes. They open the regular season at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sept. 29.

Key Facts

  • Yvan Cournoyer, 82, is a Hockey Hall of Fame forward and long-time Montreal Canadiens ambassador.
  • Cournoyer appeared in Saint-Boniface with the Stanley Cup as part of Hockeyville celebrations.
  • Saint-Boniface won Hockeyville, earning $250,000 for Arena de Saint-Boniface upgrades.
  • $10,000 in new hockey equipment was provided by NHLPA Goals & Dreams and the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund.
  • The Canadiens were scheduled to play the Ottawa Senators at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières in a pre-season game linked to the Hockeyville event.
  • Cournoyer won 10 Stanley Cups during his playing career with the Canadiens.
  • He scored the game-winning goal for Canada in a 4-1 victory against Russia in Game 2 of the 1972 Summit Series.
  • Cournoyer’s Canadiens totals are 428 goals and 863 points, ranking fourth and sixth in team history respectively.
  • Cournoyer was appointed to the Order of Canada on April 17 to recognise achievement and community service.
  • The Canadiens opened training camp with tempered yet high expectations after finishing 48-24-10 (106 points) and reaching the Eastern Conference Final, a five-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

IHM Discussion

The Hockeyville visit in Saint-Boniface paired a celebrated Canadiens ambassador and the Stanley Cup with direct community investment. The $250,000 prize for upgrades to Arena de Saint-Boniface and $10,000 in equipment provides practical support for the local rink and its players, while Cournoyer’s appearance connected the occasion to Canadiens history.

Cournoyer’s standing rests on more than nostalgia. A 10-time Stanley Cup champion who spent his entire NHL career with Montreal, he remains an active ambassador for the organisation. His 428 goals and 863 points rank fourth and sixth in Canadiens history respectively. His previous Hockeyville visit to Renous, New Brunswick, in 2019 drew a line of people waiting for photographs with the Stanley Cup.

The event came as Montreal opened training camp following a 48-24-10, 106-point season and an Eastern Conference Final loss to Carolina. Cournoyer said the club had learned from its recent defeats, with the regular-season opener in Toronto on Sept. 29 the next on-ice milestone.

Why It Matters

Hockeyville directs NHL attention and funding towards community rinks, with the Saint-Boniface prize providing upgrades for Arena de Saint-Boniface and new equipment for local hockey. Cournoyer’s appearance with the Stanley Cup gave the celebration an added connection to Canadiens history and to a player whose career was defined by 10 championships.

Fan Pulse

Cournoyer’s Hockeyville appearances have offered fans a rare chance to see the Stanley Cup and meet a Canadiens legend. At Renous, New Brunswick, in 2019, people lined up outside Tom Donovan Arena for photographs with the trophy. In Saint-Boniface, his local appearance marked the community’s Hockeyville celebration and its investment in Arena de Saint-Boniface.

Mini Q&A

Who visited Saint-Boniface for Hockeyville?

Yvan Cournoyer, the 82-year-old Hockey Hall of Famer and long-time Montreal Canadiens ambassador.

What did Saint-Boniface win as Hockeyville champion?

The community earned $250,000 for Arena de Saint-Boniface upgrades and $10,000 in new hockey equipment from NHLPA Goals & Dreams and the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund.

Which pre-season game was associated with the Hockeyville event?

The Canadiens were scheduled to play the Ottawa Senators at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières in a pre-season game linked to the Hockeyville event.

What are some of Cournoyer’s Canadiens career totals mentioned?

Cournoyer recorded 428 goals and 863 points, which rank fourth and sixth respectively in franchise history.

What notable international moment for Cournoyer was recalled?

He scored the game-winning goal for Canada in a 4-1 victory against Russia in Game 2 of the 1972 Summit Series.

When do the Canadiens open the regular season?

The Canadiens open the regular season at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sept. 29.

Coach Mark Comment

The lasting value of Hockeyville is practical: better rink facilities and equipment give a local programme more to work with. A Stanley Cup visit also makes the game feel immediate for young players and volunteers who keep community hockey moving.

What Comes Next

The Canadiens open the regular season at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sept. 29.

IHM Final View

Hockeyville in Saint-Boniface combined investment in Arena de Saint-Boniface with an appearance by Yvan Cournoyer and the Stanley Cup. The event highlighted Cournoyer’s continuing ambassadorial work for Montreal while giving the community a memorable celebration ahead of the Canadiens’ pre-season game against Ottawa.

Hockeyville in Saint-Boniface: Senators vs Canadiens

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Kraft Hockeyville has returned to Quebec as Saint-Boniface hosts a National Hockey League pre-season game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens at Colisee Videotron in Trois-Rivieres. Arena de Saint-Boniface received $250,000 in upgrades as part of a wider $7.2 million renovation budget supported by the Hockeyville prize and local effort. The event will feature pre-game festivities and player appearances, and marks Hockeyville’s first return to the province since a 3-2 Canadiens win over the Buffalo Sabres in Roberval on Sept. 23, 2008. Local organiser Jean-Sebastien Descoteaux said the community is eager for fans to meet their idols and watch the game, while volunteers disassembled and moved the arena from Radisson before rebuilding it following its $1 purchase.

Key Facts

  • Kraft Hockeyville has chosen Saint-Boniface, Quebec, as this year’s host community.
  • A pre-season game will be played between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
  • The game is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TVAS, SN1 and NHLN.
  • Arena de Saint-Boniface received $250,000 in upgrades from the Hockeyville grand prize.
  • The $250,000 prize helped grow a renovation budget to $7.2 million for Arena de Saint-Boniface.
  • Volunteers purchased the arena for $1, disassembled it in Radisson, Quebec, and shipped it 14 hours south to rebuild it in Saint-Boniface.
  • Hockeyville returns to Quebec for the first time since a 3-2 Canadiens win against the Buffalo Sabres in Roberval on Sept. 23, 2008.
  • Jean-Sebastien Descoteaux, who handles communications for the Saint-Boniface local organising committee, said the community was looking forward to fans meeting their idols and watching the game.
  • Saint-Boniface is described in its municipal history as originally erected July 1, 1855, under the name Canton de Shawenegan and later named Saint-Boniface.
  • Saint-Boniface is nearly equidistant between Montreal and Quebec City and about 20 minutes from Trois-Rivières and Colisée Vidéotron.
  • Amanda McKay, chair of the Elliot Lake Local Organizing Committee, is reported to be in Trois-Rivières on Monday for the ceremonial handoff of the Hockeyville trophy.

IHM Discussion

Hockeyville’s return to Quebec with Saint-Boniface at the centre of the festivities is as much about community infrastructure as it is about an NHL exhibition. The Arena de Saint-Boniface project began from a strikingly grassroots origin – a $1 purchase and a volunteer-led transplant of an arena structure from Radisson – and the $250,000 grand prize has been applied to upgrades within a $7.2 million renovation programme. The prize provides a significant contribution to a wider local project, while the volunteer history gives Saint-Boniface’s celebration its particular character.

For fans, the practical payoff is immediate. A pre-season meeting between the Senators and Canadiens at Colisee Videotron gives local supporters a chance to see two NHL clubs nearby. The event also includes a community celebration, red carpet, player appearances and other festivities that turn an exhibition game into a civic showpiece.

The 2008 Hockeyville game – a 3-2 Canadiens victory against Buffalo in Roberval – places the Saint-Boniface event in the programme’s Quebec history. Amanda McKay’s planned attendance for the ceremonial trophy handoff also links the new host community with Elliot Lake, the previous winner.

Why It Matters

Beyond a single pre-season matchup, Hockeyville events channel media attention, funding and volunteer energy into local arenas that might otherwise struggle to finance major renovations. The $250,000 prize in Saint-Boniface is explicitly cited as part of a larger $7.2 million budget that will renew community ice infrastructure. For young players, families and local businesses, the arrival of NHL clubs and the related fan programming can strengthen participation, boost local spending and raise the profile of grassroots hockey. For the league, these games keep the NHL connected to smaller communities and reinforce hockey’s cultural spread across the province and country.

Mini Q&A

What is happening in Saint-Boniface for Hockeyville?

Saint-Boniface is hosting a Kraft Hockeyville celebration that includes a pre-season game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens, plus pre-game festivities and player appearances.

Where will the pre-season game be played and when is it scheduled?

The game will be played at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, on Monday at 7 p.m. ET, with broadcasts on TVAS, SN1 and NHLN.

How much funding did Arena de Saint-Boniface receive from Hockeyville?

Arena de Saint-Boniface received $250,000 in upgrades from the Hockeyville grand prize.

What larger renovation programme does the Hockeyville prize support?

The $250,000 prize helped grow a renovation budget to $7.2 million for the Arena de Saint-Boniface.

When was the last time Hockeyville was held in Quebec?

Hockeyville last visited Quebec when the Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in Roberval on Sept. 23, 2008.

Coach Mark Comment

The lasting value is not the pre-season result but the attention directed towards a community rink. A major hockey event can give local volunteers and young players a memorable focal point, while the arena upgrades provide the tangible legacy of the celebration.

What Comes Next

Amanda McKay of the Elliot Lake local organising committee is expected in Trois-Rivieres on Monday for the ceremonial handoff of the Hockeyville trophy. The Senators – Canadiens pre-season game and associated Hockeyville festivities are also scheduled for Monday at Colisee Videotron.

IHM Final View

Saint-Boniface’s Hockeyville celebration is a reminder that NHL reach extends beyond arenas in major cities. The headline attraction is the Senators – Canadiens pre-season game, but the deeper story is civic: volunteer labour, a modest prize and a concentrated investment have combined to deliver a renovated facility and a community festival that will outlast a single evening of hockey.