Bisons Make History With Back-to-Back Cup Wins in Granby

The Bisons de Granby have secured back-to-back Coupe du Président championships in the Ligue de Hockey Senior AAA du Québec (LHSAAAQ), marking the first time in the franchise’s history that the team has won consecutive titles, a milestone achieved following a decisive Game 7 victory over the Chambre de Commerce de Terrebonne HC on April 18, 2026.

The championship series, which went the full seven games, concluded with a 4-2 win for Granby at home in front of a sold-out crowd at the Centre sportif Émile-Bouchard. Forward Mathieu Lévesque scored two goals, including the insurance marker midway through the third period, while goaltender Jérémy Deschamps made 38 saves to earn playoff MVP honors. The victory capped a postseason run in which the Bisons outscored opponents 28-16 over 12 games.

This achievement represents a significant business and cultural milestone for the LHSAAAQ, a semi-professional senior hockey league operating across Quebec with teams drawing players from former junior, collegiate, and professional ranks. While not a fully professional league, the LHSAAAQ generates localized economic activity through ticket sales, concessions, merchandise, and arena partnerships, particularly in markets like Granby and Terrebonne where senior hockey maintains strong community engagement.

Les Bisons’ success has translated into measurable local impact. According to municipal data from the Ville de Granby, average home attendance increased by 22% during the 2025-26 season compared to the prior year, reaching 1,850 spectators per game. Concession revenue at the Centre sportif Émile-Bouchard rose 18% over the same period, driven by higher attendance and increased sales of team-branded merchandise, including jerseys and hats, which saw a 40% year-over-year increase in sales volume at the team’s official store.

The Chamber HC de Terrebonne, despite the loss, also reported strong season performance. Team president Martin Dubois confirmed in a post-game interview with La Voix de l’Est that the organization saw a 15% increase in season ticket renewals for the upcoming year and secured two new regional sponsorships with Quebec-based automotive and financial services firms, citing heightened visibility from the deep playoff run.

League officials noted that the Bisons’ repeat championship has helped elevate the profile of the LHSAAAQ in ongoing discussions about potential alignment with Hockey Canada’s senior hockey framework. League commissioner Éric Gagnon stated in a press release dated April 20, 2026, that “the consistency and competitiveness demonstrated by Granby over the past two seasons underscore the league’s capacity to deliver high-caliber, community-driven hockey that resonates with fans and partners alike.”

Looking ahead, the Bisons face roster challenges due to the amateur/semi-professional nature of the league, with several key players expected to depart due to career or relocation factors. General manager Patrick Roy (no relation to the former NHL goaltender) told reporters that the organization will begin evaluating retention options and recruitment strategies immediately, with a focus on maintaining core continuity while adapting to the league’s player movement realities.

The back-to-back titles mark a historic moment not only for the Bisons de Granby but for senior hockey in Quebec, demonstrating how sustained competitive success in niche sports leagues can generate tangible economic and civic benefits at the local level. As the LHSAAAQ continues to operate outside the fully professional spectrum, models like Granby’s may serve as benchmarks for how community-supported sports organizations can achieve both on-ice excellence and off-ice stability.