An Introduction for the QMJHL’s Newest Franchise. The Newfoundland Regiment.

St John’s Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) isn’t an unfamiliar home for major hockey teams, with the AHL and ECHL having already attempted to make the province’s capital a long-term home for one of its franchises. Although the Ice Caps (AHL) and Growlers (ECHL) didn’t have the success that the city had hoped, it didn’t stop them from jumping on another opportunity to give the hockey fans of NL a chance to call a major team their own. 

In December 2024, it was announced that the Acadie Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League were being sold to an investor group who would relocate the team to St John’s for the 2025-26 season. Although a junior hockey team is a bit of a switch up from the city’s recent attempts at sustaining a pro club, it actually doesn’t mark the first time that St John’s has been home to a QMJHL franchise. From 2005-08 the city belonged to the St John’s Fog Devils, who ultimately weren’t a big enough draw to justify keeping around for longer than three seasons. Although they earned playoff berths each year, the Fog Devils failed to win a single playoff series during their run, and saw declining attendance numbers each year. It was reported that the team lost nearly $750 000 during their second season, which naturally led to the selling of the franchise in January of 2008. 

The failed experiment of the Fog Devils, along with the disappointing runs of the Ice Caps and Growlers begs the question…what’s different this time around?

While none of us can say for certain whether this iteration of St John’s major hockey will thrive or falter, there is plenty of reason to be excited about the product that the Regiment could ice in 2025, and they should provide the province of NL a chance to show how they can rally behind an exciting, quality product. 

The Regiments performance this pre-season is something that has rightfully gotten hockey fans in NL excited for the upcoming QMJHL season. After an impressive third period comeback in their final game against the Saint John Sea Dogs, the Regiment completed an undefeated pre-season, which has filled the city with some life towards their new franchise. One of the major standouts from the Regiments pre-season games was 20 year old Justin Larose, who banged in six(!) goals in just two games. Larose is poised to be a major factor for Newfoundland this year, and he certainly put everyone on notice with his dominant two game pre-season showcase. The 2026 University of Michian commit is entering his fifth QMJHL season and was a major addition to this Regiment roster, as they sent a first (2026) and third round (2027) pick to the Drummondville Voltigers to acquire him on August 1st. Although he wasn’t drafted to the NHL, Larose was invited to the Montreal Canadiens rookie camp this offseason, and is one of six Regiment players who have NHL affiliation. 

Forward Dawson Sharkey, defensemen Noah Laberge and Will Reynolds, and goaltenders Mikus Vecvanags and Chase Anderson are also affiliated with NHL clubs, with all but Anderson being drafted in 2024 or 2025. It probably doesn’t need to be said that these players should play a major role in the success, or failure, of the upcoming season both on and off the ice, and that was all but confirmed by the coaching staff just days before the season opener with the announcement of the 2025-26 leadership group. Larose (captain), Laberge (alternate), Sharkey (alternate), and 20 year old defenseman Emile Perron (alternate) will make up the leadership group for this year’s Regiment squad, which helps give fans a little glimpse into trust and confidence of this coaching staff. 

Lastly, it wouldn’t feel right to introduce the 2025-26 Newfoundland Regiment without highlighting the career of head coach and GM Gordie Dwyer. Dwyer will undoubtedly be an integral part of the Regiment’s inaugural season, and he brings quite an impressive and diverse resume to the table. Coaching in a league like the QMJHL is vastly different than coaching a professional team, with the crop of players being so young, there’s more of a focus on player development, which could be difficult for some to balance when also trying to ice a competitive team. Luckily for the Regiment, they have Dwyer running things behind the bench. Dwyer’s coaching experience includes two separate roles within the QMJHL, one with the Saint John Sea Dogs, and another with the Charlottetown Islanders, as well as some time in Russia (KHL) and Switzerland’s (NLA) pro leagues. The combination of junior and professional experience could be a reason that Dwyer is such a highly regarded coach, and why he is trusted so highly within Hockey Canada, having led Canada’s Helinka Gretzky Cup team to a gold medal this summer. Dwyer’s experience and guidance shouldn’t be overlooked, as he might just be more integral to the Regiments season than any single player. 

The Regiment officially open their season on September 18th hosting the defending QMJHL champion Moncton Wildcats in what is expected to be a sold out Mary Browns Centre. It should be an exciting weekend for hockey fans across the province, and hopefully a positive step towards a long and successful run for the QMJHL in St John’s.