The puck hasn’t dropped yet, but the QMJHL’s newest chapter is already making waves 3,000 kilometres from its traditional heartland.

This fall, major junior hockey officially returns to Newfoundland and Labrador with the debut of the Newfoundland Regiment, the league’s 18th franchise and first based in the province since the short-lived St. John’s Fog Devils folded in 2008. Taking over from the relocated Acadie–Bathurst Titan, the Regiment is more than just a new team — it's a symbol of expansion, rebranding, and long-awaited homecoming.

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The move aligns with the league’s subtle but significant transformation. Now officially known as the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, the QMJHL has embraced its growing footprint across Atlantic Canada. The Regiment’s arrival isn’t just a novelty — it represents a shift in identity. For the first time, the league stretches from Rouyn–Noranda, Quebec to St. John’s, Newfoundland — a staggering 3,100 kilometres apart — turning travel into a storyline all its own.

But it’s the local identity that’s already resonating. Named after the historic Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the team’s branding leans heavily into provincial pride. The logo features a fierce woodland caribou, an emblem of courage and resilience. The name, initially met with mixed reactions, is growing on fans — many of whom see it as a bold and meaningful tribute.

Early signs are promising. Season ticket sales have topped 1,400, outpacing what the city’s former pro team, the ECHL’s Growlers, was drawing before financial turmoil forced their collapse. 

Leading this new chapter is Gordie Dwyer, who retains both head coach and general manager roles after serving in the same capacity with the Titan. Dwyer brings a wealth of experience to the job, having previously coached in the QMJHL, the KHL, Switzerland, and with Team Canada at international levels. His steady presence offers continuity during a time of major transition.

On the ice, the Regiment made its first roster move in August, acquiring forward Dominic Pilotte from Rimouski in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Your 2025-26 Newfoundland Regiment ☑️

🗞️: https://t.co/JOWucsib4h

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Unite. Inspire. Defend. pic.twitter.com/6kLooiMzmK

— Newfoundland Regiment (@nlregiment) September 4, 2025

As for the roster, the Regiment boasts a healthy blend of returning veterans and young promise. Among the key returnees from the Titan are defenseman Émile Perron, a reliable two-way player who logged big minutes last season, and newly acquired forward Justin Larose, who put up nearly a point per game last year between Victoriaville and Drummondville. In goal, Mikus Vecvanags — a 2024 fifth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens — could emerge as the team’s backbone, while young forwards like Antoine Proulx and Chase Anderson are expected to take meaningful steps forward.

The team’s opening night roster includes 24 players, 14 of whom suited up for the Titan last season. They’ll be joined by 10 new faces, including 2025 draft picks Ben Veitch, Quinn Norman, and Matys St-Gelais — all players seen as foundational pieces in this new era of Newfoundland hockey.

Before the regular season begins, fans will get an early glimpse during the Regiment Hockey Showcase on September 13 — a preseason charity game in support of wildfire victims. The team then opens the 2025–26 campaign with back-to-back home games against the defending champion Moncton Wildcats on September 18 and 19.

There are questions, of course. How will teams manage the long-haul travel to St. John’s? Will the Regiment be competitive out of the gate? But for now, excitement is building. The franchise’s slick rollout — complete with a hype video, aggressive branding, and community outreach — has reenergized a fan base that has long felt on the outside of major junior hockey’s spotlight.

Whether this works long-term remains to be seen. But heading into 2025–26, one thing is certain: the QMJHL’s newest team is no ordinary expansion — it’s a reclamation of hockey identity on The Rock.

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