Trois-Rivières Draveurs
The Trois-Rivières Draveurs (Raftmen/Loggers) were a major junior hockey team that played out of the Colisée de Trois-Rivières during the 1970s and 80s. The team was originally founded in 1969 as the Ducs but changed its name to the Draveurs in 1973.
As the Draveurs, the team enjoyed 18 successful seasons in Trois-Rivières, making the playoffs in 15 of those years. They were initially coached by Michel Bergeron, who later went on to coach the Quebec Nordiques. In 1978 and 1979, under Bergeron's leadership, the Draveurs won back-to-back league titles. Those championship teams were anchored by goaltender Jacques Cloutier, who would go on to have a long NHL career. Although they did not win any more titles, they remained competitive and reached the league finals again in consecutive years, 1981 and 1982.
The Draveurs also developed several players who would go on to become NHL stars, including Ray Bourque, Claude Lapointe, Claude Lemieux, and Jocelyn Thibault. The team was also coached by Alain Vigneault at one point. In 1991-92, the Draveurs made headlines when goaltender Manon Rhéaume played a game for them, becoming the first female to play in the CHL.
Unfortunately, 1991-92 would be the Draveurs' final season in Trois-Rivières, as the team relocated to Sherbrooke in the summer of 1992.