The Hockey Hall of Fame Draws Fans of All Ages
The visitor traffic at the Hall of Fame tent was all the evidence anyone would need to recognize the excitement of hockey fans here in Rimouski. At about 3 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, there were at least 50 people waiting in line outside the tent where visitors can admire various trophies and artefacts from the Canadian Hockey League. Fans can also see items from the Jean Béliveau and Patrick Roy collections, including Roy’s goalie equipment from his days with the Colorado Avalanche.
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Every day during the MasterCard Memorial Cup, the Cup itself makes a dramatic entrance, escorted by two guardsmen from the Garde en rouge, the 22nd Regiment of the Canadian Forces. For André Côté, a primary school pupil, the arrival of the Memorial Cup at the Hall of Fame was a major attraction. “It’s fun to see the soldiers arrive with the trophy and stand guard without moving”. The various team jerseys were impressive for André Roussel, an ardent junior hockey fan. “We’re familiar with the team colours for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), but it’s nice to be able to see all the team jerseys from the other leagues.”
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An extra surprise awaits local fans. The legendary Stanley Cup will make a grand visit to the Hall of Fame tent on Thursday and Friday, May 21st and 22nd. Once more, a large crowd is expected for the event, because many fans will certainly want to take this opportunity to be photographed with the treasured trophy.
Photo by Rémi Sénéchal