Quebec has always been a hub for hockey. Many of the greatest players in hockey history have come out of the province. "Rocket" Richard, Patrick Roy, just to name a few. And the province of Quebec has a professional hockey team, the NHL's most successful franchise, in the Montreal Canadians. But there was once another. The Quebec Nordiques. The team was losing money and moved to Colorado in the mid-1990's and became the Avalanche, leaving a strong following or Nordiquers behind. But now, with a few clubs struggling with money and attendance, thoughts are popping up of relocation. There are quite a few markets open such as Winnipeg, Hartford, and, of course, Quebec. Winnipeg has not done much to garner interest, but Hartford and Quebec have. Hartford's AHL team recently changed names to the Connecticut Whale, in homage to the old Hartford Whalers, which is still, arguably, the NHL's most popular franchise, selling more merchandise than any other EXISTING team. Quebec is showing their support in another way. The Nordiques fan club, Nordiques Nation, is setting up a trip to invade tonights game between the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers, two struggling clubs. Plus, with the NHL's headquarters in New York, they are sure to get the attention of the league. According to tsn.ca, "Fans have purchased about 500 seats behind each net. At the 15-minute mark of each period, the fans will cheer for 30 seconds to mark the 15-year anniversary of losing the Nordiques." This show of support is sure to get the NHL thinking, so sit back and grab a Quebec pizza (pop-tart and ketchup) and see if this immense show of Nordiques patriotism has an effect, and I sure think it will.- Ryan McDermott
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