The Hockey News sat down with Mario Cecchini, Commissioner of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, to check with him as he completes his first year in the new role.
Less than a year into his mandate, Mario Cecchini was asked how life is like as Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Commissioner.
“Things are going well. We’ve done a couple of important things right off the bat in the first nine months. Right now, we are planning for years to come. We have a group of owners who are open to listen to many opportunities.”
One of the important accomplishments was the name change from Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
“Important enough to get it done very quickly,” Ceccini said when asked the priority level of a rebrand. “I simply realized the reason to do it is for the fans. A lot of people told me it’s because we have six teams. The initial motivation is the fact 25 per cent of our fan base is in the Maritimes. It started with our logo. We were already using QMJHL in our language. The league renamed itself QMJHL by just dropping the Major for Maritimes. The cheapest rebrand I will ever do. We became more inclusive for our fans in recognizing their contribution.”
The Professional Women’s Hockey League launched January 1st with a point system which awards three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shoot-out win and one point for an overtime or shoot-out loss. Ceccini, the former President of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, said there’s a preoccupation to look at the possibility of changing to a similar system.
“Just last week, it came to my desk. I think the hockey committee will take a look at it. It doesn’t mean we will change. It was very popular way back and then it went away.”
One of the marquee events on the QMJHL calendar is the annual U18 draft. Recently, the National Hockey League decided to move to a more decentralized model in a smaller venue with one or two representatives from each club. Prospects would be greeted by commissioner Gary Bettman and a team rep on the draft stage for a brief photo opportunity after being selected and could later be flown with their family to the club’s home city after finishing broadcast and media responsibilities. Ceccini was asked of any plans to change the QMJHL Draft.
“We’ve committed to Moncton this year and the format we’ve always had. I love our draft. I love it very much. For some players, it’s the only time they will go through the big stage event. Getting applauded, doing the catwalk. I get to greet them. They get to meet their team. It reflects extremely well on how we respect our players and how we treat them.”
Those who follow the NHL Draft Weekend are familiar with the first round taking place on a Friday night while the remaining rounds are the following day. Will the QMJHL move to the same?
-“Stay tuned in the coming weeks. We are exploring that possibility.”
-- Mario Cecchini
A number of clubs are starting to see an attendance rebound after a slow first half. The league is seeing growth of almost seven per cent overall amongst all 18 teams while maintaining an average crowd size of close to 3300. Fifteen of the 18 teams are showing growth versus last year’s numbers. With a goal of getting back to pre-pandemic numbers, what can the QMJHL do to achieve that target?
“We need more fans. We’re on the right track. We need to highlight what we do well and create a feeling around the league that people need to come out support their local team. Name change is one. Less fights is one. You will hear, for the first time ever I’m told, some advertisement in each of our markets,” Ceccini said.
The Ontario Hockey League is known for hosting school day games which teams have the opportunity to play in front of screaming kids. An atmosphere that can be deafening to the core but, nonetheless, brings tons of energy to the game. The environment includes integrated learning such as healthy active living, basic math statistics, geography as well as the importance of mental health throughout the game and in-class following the final buzzer.
“We’ve never talked about that. It would be fun to look at. They are fans of tomorrow. They are players of tomorrow. You’ve put a bug in my ear. I’m going to talk to a couple of teams to see if there’s interest. That could be fun!”
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