Maine Nordiques
The Maine Nordiques were the first pro hockey team in the state of Maine, starting play in the NAHL in 1973-74. They played in the Central Maine Youth Center in Lewiston, which held a small crowd for a pro team of only 2,800. As the top farm team for the Quebec based team of the same moniker, the Nordiques had a successful run in the short-lived NAHL.Â
In their first season, the Nords won 45 of 74 and made the playoffs, with some goaltending help from future NHLer Richard Brodeur in net. However, the next two years they didn't have quite the same success winning a combined 45 games. Their fourth and final season would be their most successful, as they won 40 games and made the NAHL finals. They came up short in the finals, getting swept by the Syracuse Blazers in four games. The Blazers would fold after the season, leaving the NAHL with only five teams. After Mohawk Valley ran into financial trouble as well, the league and four remaining teams decided to fold in September 1977.Â
