# Trois-Rivières Lions

The Trois-Rivières Lions (French: Lions de Trois-Rivières) are a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL based in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team began play in the 2021–22 season, with home games held at Colisée Vidéotron. They are affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) and Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL).

## History

The city of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, began construction on a replacement for the aging Colisée de Trois-Rivières with an expected completion date of 2021, but had no permanent tenants scheduled. In July 2020, Newfoundland Growlers' majority owner Dean MacDonald (through his group Deacon Sports and Entertainment) came to an agreement with the city to place an ECHL team in Colisée Vidéotron, pending league approval, for the 2021–22 season. On November 30, the team finalized its lease agreement. Subsequently, on January 12, 2021, the team was approved by the ECHL Board of Governors to join the league for the 2021–22 season. On January 19, the Montreal Canadiens had announced that the new team would serve as their ECHL affiliate.
On June 10, 2021, the team name was announced as the Trois-Rivières Lions, named after the only previous professional team to play in the city, the Trois-Rivières Lions, from 1955 to 1960. On June 15, Éric Bélanger was named the team's first head coach.
In 2024, it was reported that Deacon Sports and Entertainment (DSE) had been experiencing financial difficulties, and owed the city of Trois-Rivières nearly CA$1 million in arena back rent. On April 2, 2024, the Growlers, likewise owned by DSE, ceased operations effective immediately. Despite this, the ECHL had reached an agreement to take temporary ownership of the Lions pending the sale of the franchise to new ownership, effectively allowing the team to complete play of the 2023–2024 season. On April 8, 2024, league officials approved the purchase of the Lions by American businessman Jeff Dickerson via his company Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E).

## Season-by-season records

| Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Standing | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Kelly Cup |
| 2021–22 | 69 | 34 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 74 | 230 | 233 | 3rd, North | L, 3–4, NFL | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | 72 | 29 | 40 | 3 | 0 | 61 | 216 | 273 | 6th, North | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2023–24 | 69 | 31 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 70 | 204 | 229 | 3rd, North | L, 2–4, NOR | | | |

## Players and personnel
### Team captains

* Cédric Montminy, 2021–2024
* Morgan Adams-Moisan, 2024–present

### Head coaches

* Éric Bélanger, Jun. 2021–Nov. 2022
* Marc-André Bergeron (interim), Nov. 2022–Jun. 2023
* Pascal Rhéaume (resigned prior to season), Jun. 2023–Aug. 2023
* Ron Choules, Aug. 2023–present

### Notable players

The following alumni have advanced to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) after playing for the Lions as of the conclusion of the 2023–24 season:
* Pierrick Dubé
* Cameron Hillis
* Artūrs Šilovs