The newest St. John's QMJHL hockey team now has a name — the Newfoundland Regiment

From left: Royal Newfoundland Regiment Chief Warrant Officer Keith Wade, Warrant Officer Patrick Farrell, Newfoundland Regiment Hockey Club President Glen Stanford, Royal Newfoundland Regiment Maj. Chris Kane and Commanding Officer Lt.-Col Kyle Strong stand with Newfoundland Regiment scarves at the team's name and logo reveal. (Darryl Murphy/CBC)

When junior hockey returns to St. John's this fall, the team that takes the ice will serve as a salute to the province's military history.

The Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League is calling the team the Newfoundland Regiment — with its name, logo and colours all drawing inspiration from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the province's legendary World War I-era infantry unit.

"The name Newfoundland Regiment not only pays homage to the incredible legacy left by these brave soldiers but also embodies the values of courage, unity and resilience. These qualities continue to be displayed by the men and women of the modern Royal Newfoundland Regiment," Glen Stanford, the team's president, wrote in a news release.

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment are remembered for their sacrifice in the First World War, and is among the oldest regiments in Canada. The unit fought in Galipoli and at Beaumont-Hamel, where it experienced devastating loss.

Of the 780 men who made the advance toward German lines on July 1, 1916 at Beaumont-Hamel, just 68 were able to answer the roll call the following day.

Newfoundland and Labrador's QMJHL team will be named the Newfoundland Regiment, serving as a tribute to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, a key part of the province's military history. (Newfoundland Regiment)

The Regiment also had ties to hockey before their introduction into the QMJHL. Soldiers stationed at Pleasantville formed a hockey team in 1917 while awaiting transport to England, and played exhibition games against teams from mainland Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, who unveiled the name to a crowd of young fans, stakeholders and former QMJHL players from Newfoundland and Labrador, praised the name for its celebration of the Regiment's legacy, grit and sacrifice.

"The team's name is taken from a proud page of this history of our place we call home. It celebrates who we are. It celebrates what we are capable of doing," Furey said, adding the team's players, coaches and staff have a responsibility to protect that legacy.

"Earn being called the Newfoundland Regiment. Embrace that fighting spirit, and use it to be more inspiring…. Because you are wearing a name that is written on all of our hearts."

St. John's Mayor Danny Breen — whose uncle in the Regiment — said he values the team's salute and is eager to welcome them to Mary Brown's Centre.

"When they see that uniform and they see that logo, they're going to remember our younger generation who gave up so much for what we have today," Breen said.

The team's logo features the same prominent woodland caribou as that of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and is partially coloured "puttee blue" — referencing the Blue Puttees, the first 500 members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment — according to a news release from the team.

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"To me, the Regiment is a group of people that work together, march together, 100 per cent united toward one goal. All with a specific duty to accomplish, and when fine tuned, you win. Of course, just like a hockey team," QMJHL Commissioner Mario Ceccini told the crowd.

Royal Newfoundland Regiment Lt-Col. Kyle Strong said the Regiment is honoured to be highlighted by the team.

"Today, the soldiers of our Royal Newfoundland Regiment continue to embody the legacy of valour and dedicated service established by those who stood where we now stand," Strong said in the news release. "It is incredible to see this inspiring group being honoured by the local hockey community in such a high-profile and accessible way."

The Regiment, owned by SPS Entertainment, announced their purchase and relocation of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in December. They're slated to hit the ice in October for the 2025-26 QMJHL season.

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