The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is making a small but important change to the name of its league.
Announced this afternoon, the QMJHL will now be known as the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, changing the meaning of the “M” from “Major” to “Maritimes.” This recognizes the six active QMJHL franchises which play in the Maritimes region, east of Quebec, while still retaining the long-used league acronym.
“Recognizing the immeasurable contributions of our six Maritimes-based franchises to the growth of our League has been of paramount importance since I have taken on the role of Commissioner,” QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini said in the official release. “Out of respect for our clubs in the Maritimes and their fans, it has been a priority for me to include them in the name of the League. The vote to change the designation was unanimous.”
The French name of the league will be updated to la Ligue de hockey junior Maritimes Québec, retaining the LHJMQ acronym.
The name Quebec Major Junior Hockey League debuted along with the league in 1969 upon the merger of the Metropolitan Montreal Junior Hockey League and the Quebec Junior Hockey League. Beginning with the 1994-95 season, the QMJHL filled the void left by the AHL in Canada’s Maritime provinces with the expansion Halifax Mooseheads. Teams in Moncton, Cape Breton, and Bathurst quickly followed, eventually landing on the six franchises playing in the region here in 2023-24.
Today’s announcement also included a new English version of the league’s logo, keeping the same style as the existing (and untouched) LHJMQ mark.
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