Quebecor, an international communications company based in Montreal, is trying to determine if Quebec City can properly support an NHL franchise.
Andre Richelieu, a University of Laval marketing expert, has been hired by Quebecor to conduct a survey to gauge the interest and sustainability in the market.
"For 15 years, we've been talking about the return of a professional (hockey) team, but no enterprise has been as methodical during the process (as Quebecor)," Richelieu told QMI Agency.
"A corporation does its homework and, in my opinion, Quebecor is in the process of doing what is necessary to not only see if a hockey team should return to Quebec City, but also to see if one can survive in the long term.
"To assure that a team can survive longer than its first years, it is important to see to what point people are willing to spend on large calibre event tickets in the new NHL."
Not only does the survey collect financial information, it's also creating a buzz in a market that so desperately wants an NHL team.
Quebecor is extremely interested in bringing a team back to Quebec City, having been linked to showing interest in purchasing such teams as the Atlanta Thrashers and Phoenix Coyotes, however the NHL appears set on keeping the Coyotes in Arizona.
As part of a new amphitheater and sports complex that will be built in Quebec City, a $400 million arena is also on the horizon and is expected to break ground this year.
Files from:
Toronto Sun
