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Montreal Juniors
Arena Name: Aréna Paul Sauvé |
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| The Site of Paul Sauvé Arena |
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| What was the Arena Like? |
| Paul Sauvé succeeded the legendary Maurice Duplessis in office as Premier of Quebec and held the post for only four months before dying in office of a heart attack. This, however, happened just before the opening of Montreal's new East End arena in the borough of Rosemont, and so the building was named in his honour. Opening in 1960, the arena complimented the West End's Verdun Auditorium as one of Montreal's "second arenas" after the Forum. The complex included a 4,100 seat amphitheatre, curling rink, bowling alley, gymnasiums and a restaurant. The QMJHL played at Paul Sauvé Arena on a couple of occasions. One of the Q's founder teams, the Rosemont National, opened the league's inaugural season there, but only lasted two years before bowing out. Later on, the Montreal Juniors (the original version descended from the Montreal Junior Canadiens) played out of Paul Sauvé for three more years, from 1979-82. Paul Sauvé Arena had a colourful history during its 32 years. In addition to hosting hockey, the building was also home to some of Quebec's most important political moments, including acting as the referendum night headquarters for the "Yes" forces in 1980. The building hosted Olympic volleyball in 1976, and was also known as the spiritual home of wrestling in the province, as a weekly fight card was hosted at the rink for many years. By the early 1990's, the building had become dilapidated and the land was becoming more and more valuable as real estate prices in the East End skyrocketed. With Maurice Richard Arena only a few blocks away, the decision was made to demolish the arena, and it was done over the summer of 1992. Many internet sources incorrectly list a 1996 demolition date, but 1992 is correct - see Geoff Baker's article in the Montreal Gazette of May 14, 1992. Construction of the new housing complex on the site commmenced in April of 1994, and there is no trace of the arena's presence on the site today. |
| Paul Sauvé Arena While it was Standing |
 Please note - I do not like to use "found" internet photos on this website, but this is one of the rare occasions when it seems necessary due to the building's demolition. If you are the owner of this photo, please get in touch and I will assign full photographer credit. |
| How To Get There |
| From A-40: Exit at Pie-IX and proceed south. The arena site will be on your right, at the intersection of Pie-IX and Beaubien. Métro: Pie-IX on the green line or St-Michel on the blue line are the closest stops, but both require a fair-sized walk to reach the site. From Pie-IX, walk up boul. Pie-IX a kilometre or so to reach the site. From St-Michel, walk down boul. St-Michel to Beaubien, turn left, and walk down Beaubien to Pie-IX. |
| What's it Used For Today? |
| Paul Sauvé Arena was used twice by the QMJHL. In the first instance, it was home for two seasons to the Rosemont National, who then moved on to Laval to become the legendary Laval Voisins/Titan. They are today the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. The second use of the arena was by the original Montreal Junior Canadiens franchise, who began at the Forum before moving for a season to Maurice Richard Arena and then to Paul Sauvé. Following that, they spent most of the 1980's in Verdun, the first half of the 1990's in St. Hyacinthe, and are today the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Paul Sauvé Arena was demolished in 1992 and housing was built on the site. |
| Feedback |
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at  and I'll update the guide. |
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Copyright © Kevin Jordan
2002-08. |