Audette, Beauregard, Fleury, Richard and Tanguay officially immortalized in QMJHL Hall of Fame
It’s official: Donald Audette, David-Alexandre Beauregard, Marc-André Fleury, Jean-Marc Richard and Jacques Tanguay have officially been inducted into the QMJHL Hall of Fame, presented by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, during an evening held at Théâtre Le Capitole in Québec City.
Beauregard was the first inductee of the evening. His former head coach, Lucien Deblois, took the stage to pay tribute to him, after which his former teammate Éric Landry honoured him in a video message.
Despite losing an eye in 1994, Beauregard enjoyed an exceptional junior career and went on to play more than 1,000 professional games in several leagues.
Jean-Marc Richard was then honoured with tributes from Marc Fortier and Rénald Nepton. Humble as always, he notably thanked his father for convincing him to accept an invitation to attend the Chicoutimi Saguenéens’ training camp. A junior career of more than 300 points followed… as a defenceman!
Patrice Brisebois delivered a touching tribute to his great friend Donald Audette, whose son, Daniel, also honoured him through a video message.
Audette is one of just 18 players in QMJHL history to record 300 points in the QMJHL and 500 in the NHL. And he accomplished it at just 5-foot-8, at a time when smaller players were a rarity.
Jacques Tanguay was the owner or president of the Québec Remparts for nearly 30 years. “He has done so much for junior hockey and for young people,” said his longtime partner in Québec, Nicole Bouchard. Patrick Roy also shared a heartfelt tribute expressing his great admiration for Tanguay.
Marc-André Fleury got a good laugh during Maxime Talbot’s speech… a poem that only Talbot could come up with! Sidney Crosby also took the time to send his regards from Pittsburgh.
“When I was drafted by Cape Breton, I didn’t even know where it was,” admitted the former goaltender, who undoubtedly helped put Cape Breton on the hockey map. He was then a first overall pick in the NHL and went on to win three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The QMJHL would like to congratulate the five inductees on this special evening. Thank you for your contribution to the development of the league and for making it shine.
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Pictured (Vincent Ethier): Jean-Marc Richard, Marc-André Fleury, Jacques Tanguay, David-Alexandre Beauregard & Donald Audette
