Prior to the 2024-25 season, the Trois-Rivieres Lions had never gone past the first round of the ECHL post-season since entering the league in 2021-22.
That all changed in 2024-25, as the Lions not only won their first playoff series in franchise history, but kept winning all the way through the Kelly Cup Final.
Each Wednesday over the next several weeks, we look back at some of the top moments, teams and players that defined the ECHL’s 2024-25 season.
This week, we look at the Kelly Cup Champion Trois-Rivieres Lions and their journey to winning their first title.
A Record-Breaking Journey
The Lions’ season came to a close on June 7 with the team hoisting the Kelly Cup, defeating the Toledo Walleye 4 games to 1 in the Final.
On the ice, the roster built by Team President Alex Cousineau and Head Coach and General Manager Ron Choules delivered the best season in the young franchise’s history. They broke several records along the way — including most wins in a season with 45, and most goals scored in a season with 251.
Anthony Beauregard also rewrote the team’s record book in four categories: all-time points, all-time goals, all-time assists, and most points in a single season.
This same group of players continued their momentum into the playoffs, achieving their ultimate goal: winning the Kelly Cup.
In a thrilling playoff run, the Lions swept the Reading Royals in the first round, eliminated their long-time nemesis, the Norfolk Admirals, ended the reign of the Florida Everblades, the three-time ECHL champions — and finally silenced the league’s Most Valuable Player Brandon Hawkins and his team, the Walleye, holding him to just one goal and one assist over five games.
Cavallin's Playoff Run
Goaltender Luke Cavallin was simply spectacular, earning the June M. Kelly Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award. In 20 post-season appearances, he went 15-5 with three shutouts, leading the playoffs with a 1.53 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage. He allowed two goals or less in 16 of his 20 appearances.
“I didn’t really have time for it to sink in,” Cavallin said of winning the Kelly Cup. “It still hasn’t really sunk in yet. I think at some point, I’ll have time to look back on everything and really appreciate it. It’s unbelievable.”
Nearly two weeks after the triumph, Cousineau remains proud of the team’s achievement.
"From the start of the season, we knew we had a special group,” Cousineau stated. “As the weeks went on, that belief only grew stronger. These players gave it everything they had in the final stretch and stuck to the game plan laid out by our head coach, Ron Choules, who successfully communicated his vision to every guy in the locker room this season."
Record Attendance
Off the ice, the organization has also built a strong foundation, particularly in terms of attendance.
During the regular season, average attendance rose by 400 fans per game — a 19% increase. In the playoffs, the average crowd grew by 800 fans per game compared to the regular season.
During the Kelly Cup Final, attendance averaged 4,285 spectators, including the largest Wednesday night crowd in Lions history, and the two biggest crowds ever at Colisée Vidéotron: 4,640 fans for Game 4 and 4,777 for Game 5.
Other Off-Ice Success
On the partnership front, the story was equally successful: the number of business partners more than doubled over the past year. The team’s mission to make partnerships accessible to local small and medium-sized businesses was especially well received by the Trois-Rivières business community. This approach earned the Lions a nomination at the ECHL Awards Gala for Corporate Partnership Team of the Year, one of four nominations for the franchise.
The team is also nominated for: Most Creative Revenue Generation Campaign (5th Line Club), Most Creative Ticket Package (Comedy in Overtime), and Game Operations Team of the Year.
Community Involvement
The Lions also made a point of being active in the community — whether through visits to partners, local schools, or participating in family events throughout Trois-Rivières and surrounding areas.
"We’re clearly thrilled with how things have gone on the business side,” Cousineau said. “Seeing record crowds at Colisée Vidéotron during the Final is an incredible accomplishment for our organization. Now we have to look ahead, roll up our sleeves, and work to attract those same numbers throughout the regular season.”
Photo Courtesy of the Trois-Rivieres Lions