Defenceman Lukas Cormier, who won gold at the 2022 World Juniors in Edmonton, is just one of New Brunswick's many hockey success stories.
photo: Chris Tanouye / HHOF-IIHF Images
New Brunswick’s population recently climbed to 800,000. If the Atlantic Canadian province was a European nation, that would rank it between Cyprus (918,000) and Luxembourg (645,000). However, having a smaller talent pool hasn’t stopped New Brunswick from leaving its mark on hockey history.
When Moncton co-hosts the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship (26 December to 5 January) with Halifax, Nova Scotia, it’ll mark the first time the tournament has ever come to “The Picture Province.” But several New Brunswickers – among the 50-plus who have made the NHL – have previously distinguished themselves at the IIHF’s annual U20 showcase.
When Moncton co-hosts the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship (26 December to 5 January) with Halifax, Nova Scotia, it’ll mark the first time the tournament has ever come to “The Picture Province.” But several New Brunswickers – among the 50-plus who have made the NHL – have previously distinguished themselves at the IIHF’s annual U20 showcase.
Tragically, the most successful World Junior player ever from New Brunswick is no longer with us. Luc Bourdon won back-to-back gold medals in 2006 and 2007. The physical Shippagan native cracked the media all-star team in 2006 in Vancouver as he led all defencemen with five assists. Bourdon’s NHL career as a first-round Canucks pick was cut short at age 21 when he passed away in a 2008 motorcycle accident.
Other New Brunswick-born World Junior gold medalists include former NHL forwards Scott Pellerin (1990) and Patrice Cormier (2009) and defenceman Lukas Cormier (2022), a Vegas Golden Knights prospect. Patrice Cormier, who also got a silver medal in 2010, is not related to his younger namesake.
Before rising to NHL prominence, Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen (2010), Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Couturier (2011), and Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Philippe Myers (2017) collected World Junior silver medals as well.
Other New Brunswick-born World Junior gold medalists include former NHL forwards Scott Pellerin (1990) and Patrice Cormier (2009) and defenceman Lukas Cormier (2022), a Vegas Golden Knights prospect. Patrice Cormier, who also got a silver medal in 2010, is not related to his younger namesake.
Before rising to NHL prominence, Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen (2010), Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Couturier (2011), and Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Philippe Myers (2017) collected World Junior silver medals as well.
Power forward Everett Sanipass became the first Indigenous player from the Maritimes to represent Canada at the World Juniors in 1987. The outcome wasn’t optimal, since the Canadians were disqualified along with the Soviets as the two archrivals brawled in the “Punchup in Piestany.”
Regardless, Sanipass – who would log 164 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Quebec Nordiques – inspired his Elsipogtog First Nation community, some 90 km north of Moncton, where he still resides today.
Meanwhile, a veritable United Nations of IIHF and NHL stars has suited up for New Brunswick-based QMJHL clubs.
Some famous former Moncton Wildcats include Canada’s Brad Marchand. the U.S.’s Conor Garland, and Norway’s Patrick Thoresen.
Saint John Sea Dogs alumni include Canada’s Jonathan Huberdeau and Thomas Chabot, the U.S.’s Charlie Coyle, and Slovakia’s Tomas Jurco. The Sea Dogs, who won the 2022 Memorial Cup on home ice in June, had Canada’s William Dufour and Switzerland’s Vincent Despont and Noah Patenaude on their roster last season.
For Canadian fans who fondly recall their nation’s 2010 and 2014 Olympic triumphs, it’s impossible to forget all-time greats Roberto Luongo and Patrice Bergeron, both of whom are ex-members of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Regardless, Sanipass – who would log 164 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Quebec Nordiques – inspired his Elsipogtog First Nation community, some 90 km north of Moncton, where he still resides today.
Meanwhile, a veritable United Nations of IIHF and NHL stars has suited up for New Brunswick-based QMJHL clubs.
Some famous former Moncton Wildcats include Canada’s Brad Marchand. the U.S.’s Conor Garland, and Norway’s Patrick Thoresen.
Saint John Sea Dogs alumni include Canada’s Jonathan Huberdeau and Thomas Chabot, the U.S.’s Charlie Coyle, and Slovakia’s Tomas Jurco. The Sea Dogs, who won the 2022 Memorial Cup on home ice in June, had Canada’s William Dufour and Switzerland’s Vincent Despont and Noah Patenaude on their roster last season.
For Canadian fans who fondly recall their nation’s 2010 and 2014 Olympic triumphs, it’s impossible to forget all-time greats Roberto Luongo and Patrice Bergeron, both of whom are ex-members of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
New Brunswick’s list of diverse distinctions goes on and on. Fredericton’s Willie O’Ree became the NHL’s first Black player in 1958 and a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee in 2018. Moncton’s Stacy Wilson became the first Canadian Olympic women’s hockey team captain ever in 1998 after earning four IIHF Women’s World Championship titles (1990, 1992, 1994, 1997).
Another Moncton product, 67-year-old coach Rick Bowness of the Winnipeg Jets, joins Scotty Bowman and Pat Quinn in the elite group of NHL bench bosses who have coached – either as a head coach or assistant – in five decades.
New Brunswick is also home to a different kind of world championship. In February of 2022, the four-day World Pond Hockey Championship celebrated its 20th anniversary in Plaster Rock. It attracted 120 teams for 4-on-4 action with an overall attendance of more than 8,000.
In December, Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the U.S. will compete at Moncton’s Avenir Centre, dreaming of making it to the World Junior gold medal game in Halifax on 5 January. Those visiting teams and their fans will enjoy New Brunswick’s famous Maritime hospitality. And it’ll all add to this province’s proud hockey legacy.
Another Moncton product, 67-year-old coach Rick Bowness of the Winnipeg Jets, joins Scotty Bowman and Pat Quinn in the elite group of NHL bench bosses who have coached – either as a head coach or assistant – in five decades.
New Brunswick is also home to a different kind of world championship. In February of 2022, the four-day World Pond Hockey Championship celebrated its 20th anniversary in Plaster Rock. It attracted 120 teams for 4-on-4 action with an overall attendance of more than 8,000.
In December, Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the U.S. will compete at Moncton’s Avenir Centre, dreaming of making it to the World Junior gold medal game in Halifax on 5 January. Those visiting teams and their fans will enjoy New Brunswick’s famous Maritime hospitality. And it’ll all add to this province’s proud hockey legacy.