Lower North Shore Hockey
The Lifestyle of Hockey Players and Fans on the Lower North Shore
by Evan Campeau
To most people, hockey might seem like a simple “sport” or a “game”. On the Lower North Shore, however, hockey is a lifestyle. Not just playing hockey, but watching and talking about hockey nearly all year around. It's not just the hockey players who talk about and watch hockey; the whole community does.
Hockey on the Lower North Shore isn’t just a simple sport; it’s a culture!
The Lower North Shore is a relatively remote region. It is not possible to travel along the entire Lower North Shore in a car. If you are traveling from western Quebec, you will need a plane ticket to travel from Sept-Iles, QC to wherever you would like to go on the Lower North Shore. Or, you can board the Bella Desgagnés for a less expensive price!
The Lower North Shore starts at the Natashquan river and runs all the way to the Labrador border. The Lower North Shore consists of 15 villages: Kegaska, La Romaine (Unamen Shipu), Chevery, Harrington Harbour, Tete-a-la-baleine, Mutton Bay, La Tabatiere, Pakua Shipi, Saint Augustine, Old Fort Bay, St. Paul’s River, Middle bay, Bradore, Lourdes-de-blanc-sablon and Blanc Sablon. Some villages are not accessible by car but, this isolation has helped many villages maintain their traditional way of life.
Hockey on the Lower North Shore brings many families, groups and cultures together to play and watch a game they all love. It is much more than a simple game that's fun to play. Rivalries are formed and people talk about what team they think is going to win in tournaments all year long!
Interview From Saint Augustin hockey fan, Lillian Lavallee:
Lower North Shore hockey brings people of all ages together and helps many to strengthen the friendships and relationships with people from all of the villages on the Lower North Shore. All in all, it's safe to say that, on the Lower North Shore, hockey is favoured by the majority of inhabitants and will most likely....
never be forgotten!