MONTREAL – Dreams of an all-Quebec hockey squad facing off in an international tournament this summer have been dashed after organizers failed to find any takers.
The original plan was to have Team Quebec face Switzerland, France and Italy in Quebec City next August in a “four-nation” battle for the Quebec Cup.
But after the Swiss national team announced last December that it had declined the invitation, France and Italy have also bowed out, citing budget and scheduling constraints.
“The teams were interested, but in their annual planning they had trouble finding a place for the tournament,” said Daniel Côté, communications director for Hockey Quebec. “There were also budget issues.”
The revised plan is to hold the inaugural tournament in the summer of 2012. Mr. Côté said it is “99% certain” the tournament will occur next year. No decision has been made on which countries to invite.
The tournament would have been the first chance to see how a team composed of NHL players born in the province would fare at the international level. When news of the proposed tournament first leaked last November, the Parti Québécois sports and recreation critic called it “a dream come true.”
Mr. Côté has said the team was never intended as a political initiative. The tournament has the blessing of Hockey Canada, and while Team Quebec’s blue jerseys would have been emblazoned with the fleur-de-lys, the national anthem before its games would have been O Canada. The tournament was intended to raise money for minor hockey in the province.
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