Nordiques may return to NHL, Bettman speaks with Mayor

Many Quebecers remember the good ol' days of Nordiques hockey that lasted 16 years. Those hockey fans may be able to relive the glory days after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman held a meeting with the Quebec City Mayor and former Nordiques owner.

Between 1979 and 1995, the Nordiques were in Quebec City before being relocated to Colorado and having their name changed to the Avalanche. According to The Canadian Press, a team may be coming back to the Canadian city, after National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke with Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume and former Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut in New York. “It was very welcoming, very profitable, very worthwhile," Labeaume told the media on Saturday. "But we'll get back to you in a few days - we still have work to do,” According to the Globe and Mail, several Quebec City media outlets report a new arena for the city will be announced next week. LaBeaume, who is facing re-election in November, will pledge $100 million from the city to pay for the construction of the new $400 million arena that will hold 18,000 seats and be completed by 2014. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Toronto Star, “We do have an interest in returning teams to Canadian cities that have hosted and supported NHL teams historically. Both Winnipeg and Quebec City have done that, so we’ll see how things transpire. That doesn’t mean southern Ontario won’t or can’t be considered. It will be.”