The QMJHL announced Tuesday that the Armada have been sold to John Moreland, "an American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist from Irvine, California."
The league's press release notes that Moreland "intends to keep the franchise in Boisbriand." But given that Moreland is an American, the Armada's many years of attendance struggles and the QMJHL's desire to put a franchise(s) back in the United States, speculation of relocation likely won't be going away.
The Armada averaged 2,406 fans per game last season, the fifth fewest in the QMJHL. It's the first time the franchise surpassed the 2,000 average since 2019-20.
The Armada have been in Boisbriand since the 2011-12 season but have struggled to build a sizeable fan base given the crowded market they play in. The AHL's Laval Rocket play 20 minutes away.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Armada’s outgoing ownership group, consisting of Pierre Gendron, Jean-François Trudeau, Québecor, Stéphane Brien, Jean-Sébastien Giguère, Joël Bouchard, Ian Laperrière, Jason Pominville, Daniel Brière, Knapper, and Benoit Villemaire,” said QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini in the release. “The Armada made significant progress under their leadership in the highly competitive entertainment market of the Greater Montreal area. Mr. Gendron and Mr. Trudeau were always present and actively involved during the League’s Assembly of the Members meetings, and they made a tremendous contribution to the growth of both the Armada and the QMJHL. I would also like to extend a special thank you to Joël Bouchard, who has always had the Armada’s best interests at heart.
“A new chapter begins today, and I would like to thank and welcome John Moreland, a true hockey enthusiast who will help raise the Armada’s standards across the board.”
Despite the attendance struggles, the Armada have delivered a strong product on the ice, playing in the third-round of the QMJHL playoffs five times and the league final twice.
Blainville-Boisbriand is likely to struggle this coming season after making a run this past year – which isn't going to help fan interest or silence any speculation of a move.
The QMJHL has stated publicly that they want to return to the United States, but have only said so via expansion. Relocation has not been brought up.
There aren't any QMJHL-ready rinks in Quebec or Atlantic Canada that are waiting for a team.
According to the league's release, Moreland is "a former police officer and K-9 handler, he founded Avetta, a global supplier management and compliance platform that he grew from a bootstrapped startup into a multi-billion-dollar company. In 2024, Avetta was acquired by EQT Private Equity for $3 billion, at a time when the company operated in more than 130 countries and served over 500 clients and 130,000 contractors."
The release also notes that "Moreland is also co-owner of 8 Sport, Finland’s only Bauer specialty store, which he operates in partnership with Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selänne." Not mentioned is that Moreland and Selänne were recently announced as the owners of the USHL's expansion franchise in Orange County, California, which is expected to begin play in 2027-28.
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