The Atlantic Division may have only six teams, but five took over the league’s standings, while the Quebec Division fell flat to everyone’s expectations. The Moncton Bears finally took the top spot in the league for the first time in team history, including past leagues that the Bears used to play in before joining the AQHL. Their 77 points prove that they are ready to go deep once again and, this time, hopefully win the Bronz Cup. In second place, the Sherbrooke Loups, for the second season in a row, the same record as last season (33-11-6), for 72 points. After hitting 5th place last season, the improvements that the Fredericton Vikings made off-season helped them immensely as they finished 3rd place. A big thanks to Dave Messier, who led the league with 43 goals and 95 points. With that, the Vikings hope for a deep run into the playoffs before Dave gets drafted this year. Shawinigan Voltages have been working up the ladder, finishing 4th place, but it got overshadowed by team owner Pierre Leflar, who is trying to put good money into a new arena for the town of Shawinigan but having financial issues to make it happen; many members of the councillor’s questions Pierre’s promises and it could result in a fall out down the road. After rebuilding from the ground up, the Manchester Americans had one the best records for the first time in history, 29-18-3, 61 points to finish 5th place and may have a chance of a good run in the playoffs; mainly critics predicted that the Americans could beat the Volts this playoffs after sweeping them in season head to head in four games. Taking 6th place is the Portland Clippers after missing the playoffs last season due to losing key players; their current core has grown up and played very well enough to get back in the playoffs; the concerning part now is will Ron Renaud end up getting the call up to the pros as the Saskatchewan pro club trying to get in the playoffs as they are in a three-way tie for the 8th place in the western conference. From being in the top 4 for 5 seasons to finishing 7th place, the Verdun Knights had a 1st place spot in the first half this season but went downhill, including having a head-to-head season match-up with New Glasgow for that spot going into the playoffs; they lost to them 3-1 season series but lucky for them they had some key wins against some top teams to claim the 7th spot. Speaking of New Glasgow, the Highlanders may win the season series over the Knights, but after that, they had a cold streak in the last ten games (2-7-1), but they had enough points to clinch the 8th and final spot.
To round off the rest, Laval, Drummondville, Trois-Rivieres, Cape Breton, Val-d’Or, and Rouyn-Noranda. Both Val-d’Or and Rouyn-Noranda had their debuts in their own representative way. Both first home games they had were losses, and both had a winless streak (0-11-2) until both won when the Monarchs beat Cape Breton 3-1. Two nights later, the Firebirds got their victory over the Les Rouges 4-2.
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