(Quebec) Eric Girard wants to find other NHL teams to play exhibition games in Quebec in the coming years to showcase the Videotron Center, even if he estimates the probability of a return of the Nordiques at 10% and that the reception to the subsidy of 5 to 7 million for the arrival of the Los Angeles Kings was “very negative”.
“If we do nothing, we do nothing for the cause,” said the Minister of Finance on Tuesday at a press conference. He defended tooth and nail his decision to subsidize two NHL exhibition games in Quebec in the fall of 2024, and wants to do it again if tickets sell well. However, he will try to do it at a lower cost.
And this decision is directly linked to his plan to attract a new NHL team to the national capital, contrary to what he said on November 14, during the announcement. It was implicit, he explained Tuesday.
He says he has “taken note of the very negative reactions”, but that he has the mandate to bring the Nordiques back.
Slim chances
And on this front, the battle is not won in advance.
“I did my calculations. There is a 50/50 chance that there will be expansion in the National League in the coming years. And the cities that we hear if there is an expansion are Atlanta, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Houston and Quebec. So, at least five candidate cities: one chance in five times 0.5,” launched the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Girard also explained why it cost so much to produce two hockey games. The $5 million to $7 million will pay for travel, lodging and meals for players and staff of the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers. But it will also compensate the owners of the Bruins and Panthers for lost revenue for the two games, which normally would have been played in those two American cities.
He also praised the depth of the Kings’ center line, and believes that spectators who pay more than a hundred dollars to attend a game will be treated to a quality spectacle.
He also defended the use of the National Capital Region Fund (FRCN), which will be used to channel funds.
This regional fund is normally intended to support projects of local businesses and non-profit organizations. Among them, the Portneuf day camp, the Charlevoix-Est curling club, the Tigidou jam factory and the artisanal biscuit factory Chez Léon et Lily, revealed The Press SATURDAY.
Mr. Girard believes that this approach has received the approval of the Treasury Board and the Council of Ministers.