2006 Memorial Cup : A look back at the Remparts’ last National Championship
The 2006 Memorial Cup was a historic tournament for the Quebec Remparts, marking their second national title. It was a remarkable turnaround for a team that had previously struggled in the competition.
In 2003, the Remparts hosted the Memorial Cup tournament but failed to secure a single win. Just three years later, with the tournament held at the Moncton Coliseum, they redeemed themselves in spectacular fashion.
But the road to the 2006 Memorial Cup was not a traditional one for Quebec City. The team needed seven games to top the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the QMJHL semifinal, before losing in six games to the Moncton Wildcats in that year’s President Cup Final. Fortunately, with Moncton being the host city of the 2006 Memorial Cup, Quebec secured a spot in the national championship as QMJHL finalists.
The Remparts and Wildcats were joined in the competition by the Vancouver Giants, representing the WHL, and by the Peterborough Petes, that season’s OHL Champs. While Quebec lost its tournament opener to the Petes, it went on to win its next two games, including a 4-3 victory in the much-anticipated rematch against Moncton to close off the round robin.
While several players stood out during that 2006 tournament, one player in particular kept shining brightly above the rest. Both the QMJHL and CHL MVP that year, Alexander Radulov delivered an outstanding performance that led him to being named as Memorial Cup MVP as well. After posting a staggering 152 points in 62 regular season games, including a seven-goal 11-point game on March 19 of 2006, Radulov continued his dominance in the Q Playoffs, recording 55 points in just 23 outings.
Fortunately for Remparts fans, the Russian’s contributions didn’t stop there. He finished second in Memorial Cup scoring with nine points in four games, playing a crucial role in the team’s success, and showcasing the potential that would make him an NHL and KHL star in the years that followed.
Led by Radulov, the Remparts clinched a berth straight to the 2006 Memorial Cup Final after closing out the round robin atop the overall standings. With Moncton winning its semifinal matchup against Vancouver, everything was set for a never-before-seen all-QMJHL Final.
Future NHL blueliner Keith Yandle found the back of the net twice for the Wildcats in the title game, but unfortunately those would be the only two goals scored by the QMJHL Champions, who saw the Remparts skate away with their second Memorial Cup following a 6-2 win.
The 2006 tournament was undoubtedly a memorable event that showcased the resilience and talent of the Quebec Remparts. It was a testament to their determination and the culmination of their hard work throughout the season.
This year, the Remparts broke a 47-year QMJHL title drought to finally lift the Gilles-Courteau Trophy. The end result was definitely worth it, so you can bet that Patrick Roy’s troops won’t want to wait as long before capturing their third Memorial Cup!