In July the news that many expected became official when the Montreal Canadiens announced their AHL affiliate would move to Laval for the 2017-18 season. With that announcement, they also started a Name The Team contest.
We now know they will be called the Rocket.
Découvrez le nom de votre future équipe de la #AHL à Laval! Find out the name of your new #Laval #AHL team! pic.twitter.com/8yUYaQ6zuK
— Place Bell (@Place_Bell) September 8, 2016
While many fans thought they would inherit the old QMJHL team name of Laval Titan, it was not one of the three finalists.
The final three names were the Rapids, Patriots, and Rocket, each with unique ties to the area and local culture.
The Rocket is so engrained into the Canadiens fanbase, not only as a player but as a cultural icon for the province of Quebec. Having the AHL club pay homage to him makes complete sense, hopefully inspiring players to compete with the same fire that Maurice did during his playing days.
This is the second team named the Rocket as there was a QMJHL team with that name as well from 1999-2003. That team moved to PEI and became the Islanders. They, however, were based in Montreal.
The Rocket got over 50% of the vote, according to the Canadiens.
The current IceCaps won’t move into Laval until the 2017-2018 season, leaving St. John’s after their two year agreement, following their long stint in Hamilton before that.
