When the 2018-19 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) season kicked off, the Moncton Wildcats unveiled their brand-new $113 million home in the Avenir Centre. They set a QMJHL attendance record with a sold-out crowd of 8,800 fans in the home opener against the Saint John Sea Dogs and won the game 5-2.

Delivering on big aspirations seems to be a recurring theme for the Wildcats, who already are near the top of the league standings in their new facility. With wingers Jeremy McKenna and Jakob Pelletier leading the way along with starting goalie Francis Leclerc, Coach Darren Rumble's team is the hottest ticket on Canada's East Coast.

The Wildcats offer flex packs of 10, 20, or 36 games, starting at less than $16 a ticket. In the new arena, there also are two party suites with stellar views of the four-panel screen display above the playing rink, as well as private entrances and access to the Lounsbury Club Lounge.

Avenir Centre is a stone's throw from the Moncton rail line, and there's plenty to do in the arena's outdoor plaza, with a bandstand, another ice rink, a park, and a lounging gazebo all nearby.

Moncton Wildcats Background

Founded in 1995, the Moncton Wildcats existed as the Moncton Alpines for a single season before owner Robert Irving took over the team in 1996 and helped guide them to QMJHL prominence. Winning championships in 2006 and 2010, the Wildcats have had their share of NHL stars before they made it big, headlined by Corey Crawford, the two-time Stanley Cup champion goalie of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Count NHL All-Stars Brad Marchand and Keith Yandle as Moncton alumni, as well as Norris Trophy finalist Francois Beauchemin. Coaches Ted Nolan and John Torchetti both had stints with Moncton before heading to the NHL. When not holding Wildcats games, Avenir Centre is a multipurpose event facility hosting Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group, in addition to Canadian artists new and old like Metric and Bryan Adams.