History of Quebec Nordiques in Timeline

The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team in Quebec City, active from 1972 to 1995. They initially played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 to 1979 before joining the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1979. Their home arena was the Colisée de Québec. In May 1995, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado, and was renamed the Colorado Avalanche, marking the end of the Nordiques era.

March 29, 1972: Team name announced

On March 29, 1972, the Quebec Nordiques' team name, "Les Nordiques", was announced. The team was named because they were one of the northernmost teams in professional sports in North America.

1972: Nordiques Founding

In 1972, the Quebec Nordiques were founded as part of the World Hockey Association (WHA), coming to symbolize regional pride and cultural identity rooted in Francophone heritage and aspirations for political autonomy.

1973: Dark Royal Blue Uniforms

From 1973 to 1975, the blue on the Nordiques uniforms briefly reverted to a dark royal blue shade.

1975: Fleur-de-lis added to shoulders

In 1975, the fleur-de-lis symbol was added to the shoulders of the Nordiques uniforms which was modeled after the flag of Quebec.

1975: Standard Look Unveiled

Prior to the 1975-76 season, the Nordiques unveiled their standard look, returning to a powder blue base and adding three fleur-de-lis symbols on the waist.

1979: NHL Entry with Standard Look

In 1979, The Nordiques joined the NHL carrying over its standard look with some minor trim changes on the logo and numbers, which remained basically the same until the relocation.

August 1980: Signing of Peter and Anton Stastny

In August 1980, the Quebec Nordiques announced the signing of newly defected brothers Peter and Anton Stastny, members of the Czechoslovak national team. Anton had been drafted in the 1979 entry draft.

1982: Battle of Quebec Begins

In 1982, the "Battle of Quebec" playoff series between the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens began, marking an intense rivalry with political and cultural significance.

1987: Battle of Quebec Ends

In 1987, the "Battle of Quebec" playoff series between the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens ended, concluding an intense rivalry with political and cultural significance.

1988: Television Broadcasts by CFAP 2 Begin

In 1988, CFAP 2 began broadcasting the Nordiques' games locally.

June 30, 1992: Lindros Traded to Flyers

On June 30, 1992, the Quebec Nordiques traded Eric Lindros' rights to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci, Ron Hextall, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, two first-round picks and US$15 million.

1992: Single-Season Turnaround

During the 1992 NHL season, the Nordiques, led by new players, Sakic, Sundin and Nolan, experienced the biggest single-season turnaround in NHL history, leaping from 52 points to 104 and making the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in six seasons. The team lost to the Canadiens in the first round.

1993: David Ling Drafted

In 1993, David Ling was drafted 179th overall in the NHL entry draft.

1993: Fitzpatrick Claimed in Expansion Draft

In 1993, Mark Fitzpatrick was left unprotected in the NHL expansion draft and was subsequently claimed by the Florida Panthers.

1993: Conference and Division Renaming, Sundin Trade

In 1993, the NHL renamed their conferences and divisions, placing the Nordiques in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference. After the season, Sundin was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Wendel Clark, a controversial trade for both teams.

1994: Television Broadcasts by CFAP 2 End

In 1994, CFAP 2 ended broadcasting the Nordiques' games locally.

1994: Marc Crawford Hired

In 1994, Marc Crawford was hired as the new head coach of the Quebec Nordiques.

1994: Forsberg's first season and Calder Memorial Trophy

In 1994, Peter Forsberg began his first season with the Quebec Nordiques.

May 1995: Nordiques Move to Denver

In May 1995, shortly after being eliminated from the playoffs, Aubut announced the acceptance of an offer from COMSAT Entertainment Group to move the Nordiques to Denver, where they were renamed the Colorado Avalanche.

December 1995: Thibault traded for Patrick Roy

In December 1995, after the Nordiques franchise moved to Denver, Thibault was traded for Montreal goaltender Patrick Roy.

1995: Franchise Relocation Depoliticizes Image

By 1995, the relocation of the Nordiques franchise to Colorado contributed to a depoliticization of the club's public image, although the Nordiques remained a potent symbol in the collective memory of many Quebecers.

1995: Potential Uniform Change

In 1995, Aubut intended to change the team's entire look.

1995: Nordiques Eliminated from Playoffs

In 1995, despite finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference during the shortened season, the Nordiques were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Rangers.

1996: New Logo and Uniform Delayed

Due to the team missing an NHL deadline, the new logo and uniforms would not have taken effect until the 1996–97 season.

November 21, 1997: Ricci traded

On November 21, 1997, Ricci, who had provided six seasons of service to the Nordiques/Avalanche franchise, was traded.

1997: David Ling NHL debut

In 1997, David Ling began his NHL career.

2000: Avalanche win Stanley Cup

In 2000, The Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup.

2002: Forsberg Wins Hart and Art Ross Trophies

In 2002, Peter Forsberg won both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy.

2003: David Ling NHL departure

In 2003, David Ling last played in the NHL.

2010: Adam Foote Retires

In 2010, Adam Foote, the last active NHL player who played for the Nordiques, announced his retirement after the 2010–11 season.

2014: Martin Rucinsky Retires

In 2014, Martin Rucinsky, the last active player in any league who played for the Nordiques, announced his retirement after the 2014-15 season while playing in the Czech Extraliga.

2018: David Ling Retirement

In 2018, David Ling finished his professional career with the LNAH's Jonquiere Marquis.

November 16, 2020: Reverse Retro Design Unveiled

On November 16, 2020, the Colorado Avalanche unveiled the "Reverse Retro" design based on the Nordiques uniforms, honoring the legacy of the franchise.