1979-80 AQHL Season

 

Standings

1. Verdun Knights (QUE)

2. Cape Breton Warriors (ATL)

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3. New Glasgow Highlanders (ATL)

4. Sherbrooke Loups (QUE)

5. Moncton Bears (ATL)

6. Portland Clippers (ATL)

7. Trois-Rivieres Titans (QUE)

8. Fredericton Vikings (ATL)

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9. Manchester Americans (ATL)

10. Shawinigan Voltages (QUE)

11. Laval Tigers (QUE)

12. Drummondville Les Rouges (QUE)

Story:

At one point, the Verdun Knights were the only Quebec division team in the playoffs pictures until the Sherbrooke Loups made a big 20-game winning streak out of their final 25 games (20-1-4) to finish 4th overall. The Trois-Rivieres Titans were also a Quebec division team that squeezed into playoffs with a 10-game unbeaten streak (7-0-3) in the final stretch to finish 7th. Shawinigan Voltages had won the last 10 games this season, but their 17-game losing streak earlier hurt them badly as they finished 10th. Laval Tigers took a dive out of the playoffs picture as they lost 3 key players to the pro leagues and 2 to season-end injuries, with a total of 5 players as the Tigers finished 11th.

This season mainly was all Atlantic division. The 1979 Bronz Cup champions Cape Breton Warriors may have topped the division but finished 2nd overall. Taking 3rd overall is the New Glasgow Highlanders, who made some excellent key wins, including a big season series sweep over the Sherbrooke Loups, which was a good thing after getting swept in the season series with Cape Breton. The Moncton Bears made an improvement from 8th last year to 5th this year and could be even better next year as they made a mid-season trade with the Laval; the Tigers received 3 players while the Bears got the 1980 1st round pick and the 1981 1st round, Bears co-owner Ron Reese said, "the Bears are going nowhere but to the top!" Portland Clippers made 22 points improvement, a big thanks to their 10-game winning streak. Both Fredericton Vikings and Manchester Americans battled for the final playoff spot, the Americans may get one win more than the Vikings, but points play in Fredericton's favour. In the end, the Vikings took 8th while the Americans finished 9th.

Cape Breton Warriors played all their home games at the Membertou Arena as the Warrior Arena getting some upgrades. Team owner Will Rollins announced a delay in completing the Arena upgrades, meaning that the Warriors must play their home playoff games in Membertou.