The St. John's Fog Devils were a
junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (french: Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec; abbreviated ''QMJHL'' in English, ''LHJMQ'' in French) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The ...
(QMJHL) from 2005 to 2008. They were based in
St. John's,
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic Canada, Atlantic region. The province comprises t ...
, Canada, and played at
Mile One Centre
Mary Brown's Centre (formerly Mile One Centre) is an indoor arena and entertainment venue located in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The arena opened in May 2001, replacing Memorial Stadium. At full capacity the arena ca ...
. The QMJHL expanded to St. John's to fill the void created by the departure of the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the le ...
's
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were a minor ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, at Memorial Stadium from 1991 to 2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001 to 2005. The team was ...
, when the Maple Leafs moved to
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
, as the
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies is owned by Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, a c ...
after the
2004–05 season.
The team announced its relocation to suburban Montreal to become the
Montreal Junior Hockey Club
The Montreal Junior Hockey Club ('' French: Le Club de Hockey Junior de Montréal'') was a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The team was based out of the Verdun Auditorium, in Verdun, Quebec, Canada. The ...
on March 10, 2008.
Front office
The St. John's Fog Devils were owned by
Dermot Dobbin Noel Dermot Dobbin, businessman and former team president of the St. John's Fog Devils of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was born St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Dominion of Newfoundland, Newfoundland.
Dobbin, Derm as he ...
. The day-to-day operations were headed up by Brad Dobbin, who was on the board of governors, and a staff of employees that included some former staff of the
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were a minor ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, at Memorial Stadium from 1991 to 2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001 to 2005. The team was ...
.
Jos Canale served as an advisor of scouting players.
History
The city of
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador was awarded an expansion team by the QMJHL in December 2004 with local businessmen
Craig Dobbin and
Dermot Dobbin Noel Dermot Dobbin, businessman and former team president of the St. John's Fog Devils of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was born St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Dominion of Newfoundland, Newfoundland.
Dobbin, Derm as he ...
being the successful bidders. After a dispute between the Dobbin group and the City of St. John's over the use of
Mile One Centre
Mary Brown's Centre (formerly Mile One Centre) is an indoor arena and entertainment venue located in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The arena opened in May 2001, replacing Memorial Stadium. At full capacity the arena ca ...
, the Fog Devils announced in September 2005 they had secured a lease for the arena.
The Fog Devils entered into the QMJHL Expansion Draft in the early summer of 2005 to build the core of their team for the inaugural season. The Fog Devils, along with expansion cousins the
Saint John Sea Dogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team was founded as an expansion team in 2005 and play at TD Station in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The Sea Dogs became the first tea ...
, alternated between picks choosing players left unprotected by the other clubs of the QMJHL prior to the Expansion Draft. Some notable players selected by the Fog Devils included
Scott Brophy,
Wes Welcher,
Marty Doyle
Marty may refer to:
Names
* Marty (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters, also includes stage names
* Marty (surname), a list of people
Places in the United States
* Marty, California, a former settlement
* Marty, Min ...
,
Ilia Ejov,
Olivier Guilbault,
Pier-Alexandre Poulin, and Nicolas Bachand.
The team took part in their first QMJHL Entry Draft in June 2005. With the first selection in club history, the Fog Devils selected forward Jean-Simon Allard. Other notable players selected in the Entry Draft included Matt Fillier, Matt Boland, Josh McKinnon,
Nick Layton and Pat O'Keefe. Shortly after, the team also participated in the CHL import draft, selecting Swedish prospect
Nicklas Bergfors as well as countryman
Oscar Sundh; however Bergfors only played a few exhibition games for the Fog Devils before spending the 2005–06 season as the youngest player in the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the le ...
for the
Albany River Rats.
Inaugural season
The Fog Devils first
captain was Newfoundlander Scott Brophy. The team played their first game September 16, 2005, winning 3–2 versus the
Saint John Sea Dogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team was founded as an expansion team in 2005 and play at TD Station in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The Sea Dogs became the first tea ...
in
Saint John,
New Brunswick
New Brunswick (french: Nouveau-Brunswick, , locally ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It is the only province with both English and ...
at
Harbour Station
TD Station, formerly known as Harbour Station, is an arena located in the uptown area of Saint John, New Brunswick. The arena is the home of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. It was once the home of the American H ...
. Their home opener was September 23 versus the
Lewiston Maineiacs, played in front of a crowd of 6,247. The Fog Devils won 3–2 in a shootout, with Anthony Pototschnik scoring the shootout winner.
St. John's recorded the first back-to-back wins in franchise history with wins against the
Gatineau Olympiques
The Gatineau Olympiques are a major junior ice hockey team based in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, that plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Starting with the 2021–22 season, the Olympiques play home games at Centre Slush Puppie, ...
on November 4 and 5, 2005. On November 5, 2005, the line of Scott Brophy, Oscar Sundh, and Nicolas Bachand combined for 12 points with 4 points each. On December 17, 2005, in a game against the
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
The Cape Breton Eagles are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Their home rink is Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
History
The franchise was originally granted to the Sorel Éperviers (B ...
, Scott Brophy scored the first
hat trick for the Fog Devils. His third goal came with 10.1 seconds left in the overtime period.
St. John's made the playoffs in their first season, earning the sixth seed in the East Division and finishing with a 30-34-5-1 record and 66 points. In the playoffs the Fog Devils lost in the first round in five games to Cape Breton. They were the second-most successful QMJHL expansion team in league history after the 1982–83
Longueuil Chevaliers
The Longueuil Chevaliers ("Cavaliers") were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, playing in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada at Colisée Jean Béliveau. They were founded in 1982 and set a Canadian Hockey League record for ...
.
The St. John's Fog Devils entered their second QMJHL Entry Draft on June 10, 2006, and selected St. John's native Luke Adam with their first Round pick (7th Overall). In total the team selected six Newfoundlanders and a total of fourteen players. On June 28, 2006, the St. John's Fog Devils selected Mario Kempe (31st Overall) and Joonas Salmi (66th Overall) in the 2006 CHL Import Draft.
2006–07 season
The St. John's Fog Devils opened the 2006–07 season on September 15, 2006, at Mile One Centre against the visiting
PEI Rocket in front of over 5800 people. The Rocket defeated the Fog Devils by a score of 5–2. The Fog Devils rebounded the next night to win their first game of the season against the PEI Rocket by a score of 5–3. St. John's native Wes Welcher was named the game's first star with two goals. The Fog Devils closed out the year at 28–36–4–2, slightly worse than their inaugural year. They clinched the seventh seed in the west, which caused them to once again take on the
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
The Cape Breton Eagles are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Their home rink is Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
History
The franchise was originally granted to the Sorel Éperviers (B ...
in the playoffs, only to get swept. The
2007 NHL Entry Draft saw the first Fog Devils drafted into the NHL, with
T.J. Brennan and Jean-Simon Allard both drafted by the
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...
, Mario Kempe drafted by the
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Well ...
, and Matt Fillier drafted by the
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...
. The Fog Devils selected German goaltender Timo Pielmeier, drafted 83rd Overall by the San Jose Sharks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, with the 12th Overall selection in the 2007 CHL Import Draft. After much speculation that Pielmeier would stay in his native Germany to play in 2007–08, he agreed to move to the CHL and join the Fog Devils.
2007–08 season
At the Fog Devils' first home game of the season on September 21 the team retired inaugural captain Scott Brophy's jersey number 12. During a game against Shawinigan on October third, head coach
Real Paiement tied the QMJHL record for most games as a head coach, at 988 games. He surpassed this two nights later during a game against the
Lewiston Maineiacs. He finished the season with a new record, 1056 games. During the week of October 22, 2007, the Fog Devils' goalie Timo Pielmeier was named the QMJHL defensive player of the week. On November 9, Luke Adam set a new franchise record for scoring the most goals in a single game, with four against the visiting Maineiacs.
The Fog Devils met the
Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the first round of the President's Cup Playoffs, losing the first two games in Bathurst (8–5 and 5–4). The Fog Devils returned home on March 25 and made a comeback from a 4–0 deficit to defeat the Titan 6–5 in regulation. On the power play late in the game defenseman Maxime Pomerleau scored the game-winning goal with 0.7 seconds left on the clock. The Fog Devils defeated the Titan 6–1 the next night to tie the series at two games apiece. On March 28 the Fog Devils fell to the Titan 7–2 in what was the final home game in franchise history. The team received a
standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim. In Ancient Rome returning military commanders (such as Marcus Licinius Crassus a ...
farewell. Three nights later in Bathurst, New Brunswick, the Titan eliminated the Fog Devils from the playoffs with a 4–3 win, closing out the series four games to two.
In early December, Fog Devils President Brad Dobbin made it publicly known that the Fog Devils were in financial trouble. Dobbin stated the team lost nearly $750 000 in year two, and noted a drop in average attendance for a third straight season. On January 22, the Fog Devils were officially sold to
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple ...
businessman Farrell Miller. On March 10, 2008, a press conference confirmed the relocation of the Fog Devils. The team was renamed the
Montreal Junior Hockey Club
The Montreal Junior Hockey Club ('' French: Le Club de Hockey Junior de Montréal'') was a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The team was based out of the Verdun Auditorium, in Verdun, Quebec, Canada. The ...
, playing at the
Verdun Auditorium
The Verdun Auditorium is an arena located in the borough of Verdun, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The building was constructed in 1938 and holds 4,114 seats. The largest arena in the west end of Montreal, the complex is also home to Arena Denis Sa ...
.
[TSN.ca New CHL team unveiled in Montreal](_blank)
/ref>
Following the sale of the Fog Devils, Newfoundland and Labrador became the only province in Canada without a CHL franchise. Newfoundland and Labrador would eventually obtain another high-level hockey team in 2011 when the professional St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the le ...
began play.
NHL players
As of 2019–20, five Fog Devils alumni have played in the NHL: Luke Adam
Luke Adam (born June 18, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabre ...
, T.J. Brennan, Timo Pielmeier
Timo Pielmeier (born July 7, 1989) is a German professional ice hockey goaltender, currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He was a third-round selection of the San Jo ...
, Mario Kempe
Mario Kempe (born 19 September 1988) is a Swedish professional ice hockey right winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and played for the Arizona Coy ...
and Jake Allen.
The Fog Devils had several players drafted by National Hockey League teams. They are:
;2007 NHL Draft
* T.J. Brennan (2007 2nd Round, #31 overall by Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...
)
* Timo Pielmeier
Timo Pielmeier (born July 7, 1989) is a German professional ice hockey goaltender, currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He was a third-round selection of the San Jo ...
(2007 3rd Round, #83 overall by San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are owned by San Jose Sports & Entertainm ...
)
* Mario Kempe
Mario Kempe (born 19 September 1988) is a Swedish professional ice hockey right winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and played for the Arizona Coy ...
(2007 5th Round, #122 overall by Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Well ...
)
* Jean-Simon Allard (2007 5th Round, #147 overall by Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...
)
* Matt Fillier (2007 7th Round, #188 overall by Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...
)
;2008 NHL Draft
* Jake Allen (2008 2nd round, # 34 overall by St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the ...
)
* Luke Adam
Luke Adam (born June 18, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabre ...
(2008 2nd round, # 44 overall by Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...
)
Players
;Team captains
* Matt Fillier, 2006–2008 (became captain in November)
* Zach Firlotte, 2006 (September–November)
* Scott Brophy, 2005–06
;Retired numbers
* #12 Scott Brophy
Award winners
Raymond Lagacé Trophy
Defensive Rookie of the Year
*2006–07: T.J. Brennan
Team records
Regular season
Single game
*Goals (individual) - Luke Adam broke the franchise record for scoring the most goals in a single game, scoring 4 goals in a game against the Lewiston Maineiacs on November 9, 2007.
*Assists - Jean-Simon Allard broke the record by getting 5 helpers on February 14, 2007, against the Shawinigan Cataractes
The Shawinigan Cataractes (french: Cataractes de Shawinigan) are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team is based in Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada. The Cataractes have been previously known as the Shawinigan Bruin ...
.
*Points - Nick Layton got the team record for points in one game by getting 1 goal and 4 assists against Victoriaville
Victoriaville is a town in central Quebec, Canada, on the Nicolet River. Victoriaville is the seat of Arthabaska Regional County Municipality and a part of the Centre-du-Québec (Bois-Francs) region. It is formed by the 1993 merger of Arthabaska, ...
on November 30, 2007. Later that season, JS Allard got 5 assists in one game as stated above, to tie this record.
*Goals (team) - On February 2, 2007, the team scored 9 goals against the Quebec Remparts
There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts (french: Remparts de Québec) that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The first edition played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has pla ...
. The team also scored this many February 14, 2007 against Shawinigan.
Complete season
*Goals (individual) - Ryan Graham scored 37 goals in 66 games during the 2006–07 season.
*Assists - In the 2006–07 season, Wes Welcher tallied 55 assists in 69 games.
*Points - Wes Welcher added 21 goals to his record-breaking amount of assists for a total of 76 points in the 2006–07 season, enough to break this record as well.
*GAA - Timo Pielmeier had a 2.94 goals against average in the 2007–08 season.
*SV% - Timo Pielmeier also has this record with a .911 save percentage in the 2007–08 season. This was also league-leading.
*Shutouts - In the 2007–08 season Jake Allen obtained this record with 2 shutouts.
League records
*Coach Real Paiement broke the record for most games in the QMJHL as head coach with 989 games on October 5, 2007.
* Real Paiement won his 500th game as a head coach in the QMJHL against the Saint John Sea Dogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team was founded as an expansion team in 2005 and play at TD Station in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The Sea Dogs became the first tea ...
at Harbour Station.
Season-by-season results
Regular season
Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss
Playoffs
*2005–06 - Lost to Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
*2006–07 - Lost to Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
*2007–08 - Lost to Acadie-Bathurst Titan 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
See also
*List of ice hockey teams in Newfoundland and Labrador
The following is a list of ice hockey teams in Newfoundland and Labrador, past and present. It includes the league(s) they play for, and championships won.
Minor professional
American Hockey League
ECHL
Junior
Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leag ...
References
External links
QMJHL Arena Guide
profile
{{Defunct QMJHL
Defunct Ice hockey teams in Newfoundland and Labrador
Defunct Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams
Sport in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Ice hockey clubs established in 2005
Ice hockey clubs disestablished in 2008
2005 establishments in Newfoundland and Labrador
2008 disestablishments in Newfoundland and Labrador