Quebec Caribous

National Lacrosse League (1975)

Background

The Quebec Caribous – or “Les Caribous” – were a pro box lacrosse team that existed for one season in the summer of 1975.  The National Lacrosse League franchise originated in Syracuse, New York during the league’s inaugural season in 1974 and relocated to Quebec City prior to the 1975 campaign.

The Caribous languished at the bottom of the six-team league for much of the season and were in last place as late as August 25th.  Then they got hot, winning six of their final seven games to earn the fourth and final playoff spot.  In the post-season, the Caribous upset the defending champion Long Island Tomahawks in the semis. That set a date with their provincial rivals, the Montreal Quebecois, in a best-of-seven series to decide the NLL’s Nations Cup championship. The Caribous took and 3-0 series before allowing Montreal to claw their way back with victories in game 4 and game 5. In the deciding game 6 on September 29, 1975 the Caribous vanquished Le Quebecois 16-10 before 9,185 raucous fans at Le Colisee.

Les Caribous were reportedly prepared to continue for a second season in 1976, but the National Lacrosse League dwindled to only three active clubs during the winter of 1975-76.  The NLL folded in February 1976 before a third season could be launched.

Quebec Caribous Shop

Quebec Caribous Video

This 2015 French-language video tribute honoring the 40th anniversary of Quebec’s 1975 Nations Cup NLL championship team has some rare color game footage of the Caribous in action.

Downloads

September 1975 Caribous vs. Montreal Quebecois Nations Cup Championship Program

3-26-1975 – Letter from Caribous owner Roger Barre on team letterhead (French language)

Links

“It Was Provincial Indeed” – October 6, 1975 Sports Illustrated coverage of the 1975 NLL Nations Cup final.

National Lacrosse League Programs 1974-1975

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