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A group in Gatineau, Quebec, has launched a petition after the NHL blocked plans to broadcast Montreal Canadiens playoff games at the Slush Puppie Centre. The arena falls within the Ottawa Senators’ territorial rights, which led to the league’s refusal to authorize the screening.
The event organizers, including Wassim Aboutanos, president of the French language and culture promotion group Impératif français, had secured broadcast rights from TVA Sports, the exclusive French-language NHL playoff broadcaster. They began selling hundreds of tickets, with proceeds intended for a local mental health cause. Despite these preparations, the NHL shut down the event last week.
Aboutanos explained that the issue is rooted in territorial restrictions. “The Ottawa Senators have an 80 kilometre territory, where you can’t promote other teams other than the Senators,” he said. “They’re seeing the watch party as a marketing activity.”
The petition demands the NHL reconsider and allow Gatineau fans to join in the playoff excitement that is sweeping Montreal. Within 48 hours of launching, it gathered over 6,000 signatures, with many expressing disappointment at being denied the chance to support their team collectively.
Gatineau’s mayor, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, also voiced her frustration on social media. While acknowledging NHL rules, she called for “common sense to prevail” and for a solution to permit Gatineau fans to experience playoff enthusiasm as fans elsewhere do. She added that she has reached out to the Senators organization and offered assistance in finding a way to hold a gathering for local hockey supporters.
The Ottawa Senators declined to comment directly, referring inquiries to the NHL. A league spokesperson reiterated that the planned event, organized by an independent party, never received the required approval for a large public viewing.
Although the organizers say they have since requested the necessary authorization, it appears further approvals for upcoming games in the series will not be granted.
Aboutanos urged the Senators to “make an exception” and emphasized that “all the franchises should be behind the love of Canadian hockey.” He is calling on Canadians nationwide to support the petition and the right of Gatineau residents to come together and cheer for the last Canadian team remaining in the playoffs. “The fact that we’re not able to get together and cheer for a team of our choice, that is unacceptable for us,” he said.
