Quebec Aces

The Quebec Aces (or Les As de Quebec) were originally founded in 1928, and played their home games in Quebec City, Quebec. They played at various amateur levels in different leagues until 1953 when they joined the Quebec Hockey League, essentially “going pro”. In 1959, when the QHL dissolved, they joined the ranks of the AHL. Of note, Jean Beliveau, hockey hero of the Montreal Canadiens, played for the Aces for two seasons from 1951-1953. As part of the AHL, the Aces made the playoffs every year between 1963 and 1970, making the finals twice, but never winning a championship. The Aces also boasted a couple of big name NHL’ers who coached the team for short stints: Bernie “Boom-Boom” Geffrion and Walter “Turk” Broda.

In 1967, the Aces became the farm team for the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, until the team was relocated to Richmond, Virginia in 1971, becoming the Richmond Robins, ending a lengthy association with Quebec City. They would eventually fold in 1976. The departure of the Aces from Quebec City opened the door for a new franchise in the WHA: the Quebec Nordiques. The Nordiques would eventually join the NHL and later relocate to become today’s Colorado Avalanche.