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The '''Corsaires de Nantes''' (official name: '''Nantes Atlantique Hockey Glace''') are an ice hockey team in [[Nantes]], [[France]]. They were founded in 1984, and presently play in the [[FFHG Division 1]], the second level of French ice hockey.
{{Pro hockey team
| current=
| text_color  = #FFFFFF
| bg_color    = #124375
| team        = Corsaires de Nantes
| logo        = Corsaires_de_Nantes_logo.png
| logosize    = 250px
| city        = [[Nantes]], France
| league      = '''[[FFHG Division 1|Division 1]]'''<br/><small>2013–present</small>
| division    =
| founded    = {{Start date|1984}}<ref name="hist-fed"/>
| arena      = [[Patinoire du Petit Port]]
| colors      = Black, navy blue<br />{{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#124375}}
| owner      =
| coach      =
| GM          =
| captain    =
| media      =
| affiliates  =
<!---Franchise history--->
| name1      = Nantes Hockey Glace<br />Les Corsaires
| dates1      = 1984–1999
| name2      = Nantes Atlantique Hockey Glace<br />Les Corsaires
| dates2      = 1999–present<ref name="hist-fed"/>
| website    = [http://www.corsairesdenantes.fr/ www.corsairesdenantes.fr]
<!---Championships--->
|reg_season_titles =
|division_titles =
|conf_titles =
}}
 
The '''Corsaires de Nantes''' (English: Nantes Corsairs) are an [[ice hockey]] team based in [[Nantes]], Loire-Atlantique, France.
 
==History==
===Early years and short top-flight stay===
The club was founded in 1984, following the opening of the Petit Port Leisure Center, a sports complex featuring a brand new ice rink. It succeeded another club, simply called Hockey sur glace nantais, in the market.<ref name="hist-fed">{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyfrance.com/competitions/2015/01/27/historique-nantes-2/ | title =Historique – Nantes |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date =27 January 2015 | website =hockeyfrance.com | publisher=French Ice Hockey Federation| access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref> Its nickname is a reference to the corsairs, privateers sailing on behalf of the French crown from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century, a number of which were based in Nantes.
 
The Corsaires briefly figured in the French top tier for the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons. The [[Ligue Magnus|National League]], as the top level was then called, was so depleted that it was merged into the second-tier Nationale 1 to form a single, 16-team semi-professional league. Furthermore, five eligible teams were unable or unwilling to participate in the new circuit, allowing Nantes to jump straight from the [[FFHG Division 2|third]] to the top level.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/France1993.htm | title =Championnat de France 1992/93 | last =Branchu | first =Marc | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref>
The Corsaires survived the next two seasons on the ice, but in 1994–95, the championship reverted to its previous formula and an 8-team top tier. Nantes was thus reassigned to the second tier. The team was further relegated to the third tier in the spring of 1995,<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/France1995.htm | title =Championnat de France 1994/95 | last =Branchu | first =Marc | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref> although it quickly gained promotion back to the second tier.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/France1996.htm | title =Championnat de France 1995/96 | last =Branchu | first =Marc | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref>
 
===Second-tier final and decline===
In 1996 the Corsaires recruited winger Dany Fortin (sometimes spelled Danny Fortin), a former team captain and league all-star with the Gaillards de Jonquière of the Quebec Major Collegiate Hockey League.<ref>{{cite news |last=Girard |first=Paul-Armand |date=1 October 1995 |title=Gain des Gaillards 3–1 |url=https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4271657 |newspaper=Progrès-dimanche |location=Chicoutimi |page=58}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=12 April 1995 |title=Statistiques : Collégial majeur |url=https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2907483 |newspaper=[[Le Soleil (Quebec)|Le Soleil]] |location=Quebec City |page=S11}}</ref> He would spend the better part of his professional career, which lasted until 2011, with the organization and become its all-time leading scorer.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://saint-nazaire.maville.com/actu/actudet_-hockey-sur-glace-dany-fortin-n-est-plus-l-entraineur-de-nantes-_47-1307937_actu.Htm | title =Hockey sur glace : Dany Fortin n'est plus l'entraîneur de Nantes ! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date =24 March 2010 | website =maville.com | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref>
 
1997 saw the arrival of player-coach Dany Gélinas and defenseman Hubert Dogémont, who had previously been teammates in [[Diables Rouges de Valenciennes|Valenciennes]]. Gélinas would be with the team for four seasons before hanging up his skates to pursue a coaching career in Switzerland, while Dogémont would settle in Nantes long term, serving as the club's director of minor hockey and president after his playing career ended.
 
In their first year under Gélinas, the Corsaires reached the Nationale 1 (second tier) final, losing to the [[Drakkars de Caen|Léopards de Caen]]. Yet the club was saddled by financial problems, resulting in part from a legal dispute with Gélinas' predecessor Vladimir Zubkov.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=26 June 2002 |title=Le jeu des seize musicales |url=https://www.hockeyarchives.info/presse/2002/2002-06-26-NR2.htm |newspaper=La Nouvelle République du Centre-Ouest |location=Tours}}</ref> Due to these difficulties, the city of Nantes threatened to pull the plug on the men's team in 2002.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/juil2002.htm | title =Nantes : la fin | last =Branchu | first =Marc | date =12 July 2002 | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref> The Conseil général de Loire-Atlantique pledged its support and the club obtained a court judgment allowing it to continue its activities.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/aout2002.htm | title =Le tribunal favorable à Nantes | last =Branchu | first =Marc | date =3 August 2002 | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref> However, during the delay caused by the proceedings, all vacancies had been filled in Division 1 and the Corsaires were forced to accept relegation to Division 2 (third tier) once more,<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/aout2002.htm | title =Championnats de France : on sait enfin presque tout | last =Branchu | first =Marc | date =10 August 2002 | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/aout2002.htm | title =Les calendriers | last =Branchu | first =Marc | date =24 August 2002 | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/aout2002.htm | title =Division 2 : désistement et refus | last =Branchu | first =Marc | date =30 August 2002 | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/sept2002.htm | title =13/09 Nantes repêché in extremis ? | last =Branchu | first =Marc | date =13 September 2002 | website =hockeyarchives.info | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref> where they would remain for the next decade.
 
===Rebuild and Ligue Magnus ambitions===
In 2013, Nantes was promoted to Division 1 together with their regional rival and victor in the Division 2 finals, [[Dogs de Cholet|Cholet]]. For the Division 2 playoffs and ensuing offseason, recently elected president Dogémont summoned longtime collaborator Gélinas—then between jobs in [[EHC Basel|Basel]] and [[Lausanne HC|Lausanne]]<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.20min.ch/fr/story/un-nouveau-chef-de-la-formation-de-gotteron-135086738834 | title =Un nouveau chef de la formation de Gottéron |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date =18 September 2013 | website =[[20 minutes (Switzerland)|20minutes.ch]] | agency=ATS | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref>—back to the fold to serve as a special coaching consultant.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/les-corsaires-en-demi-finale-1483482 |title =Les Corsaires en demi-finale | author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date =24 March 2013 | website =ouest-france.fr | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/les-corsaires-entrent-dans-une-nouvelle-dimension-1416847 |title =Les Corsaires entrent dans une nouvelle dimension | author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date =12 August 2013 | website =ouest-france.fr | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref>
 
In 2019, the club signed a farm team agreement with the [[Ligue Magnus]]' [[Boxers de Bordeaux]].<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.hockeyhebdo.com/news-licences-bleues---entente-bordeaux-nantes,26486.html | title =Hockey sur glace – Licences bleues – Entente Bordeaux Nantes |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date =24 May 2019 | website =hockeyhebdo.com | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref> The Boxers moved their prospects to [[Diables Noirs de Tours|Tours]] after one season.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/tours/division-1-les-licences-bleues-un-renfort-bienvenu-aux-remparts-de-tours | title =Division 1 : les licences bleues, un renfort bienvenu aux Remparts de Tours |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date =18 December 2021 | website =lanouvellerepublique.fr | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref>
 
Since the late 2010s, the Corsaires have emerged as one of the leading candidates for promotion to the [[Ligue Magnus]].<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/nantes-44000/nantes-hockeyglace-les-corsaires-refusent-la-ligue-magnus-5b8fd6ce-5ce3-32fb-9803-a91f61ef59ee | title =Nantes. Hockey/Glace : les Corsaires refusent la Ligue Magnus ! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | date =19 May 2018 | website =presseocean.fr | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="prom-of">{{cite web | url =https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/hockey-sur-glace/corsaires-nantes/d1-les-corsaires-sont-ils-prets-a-plonger-dans-le-grand-bain-e8f8ffc8-9df7-11eb-b280-f7299931f171 | title =D1. Les Corsaires sont-ils prêts à plonger dans le grand bain ? |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| date =15 April 2021 | website =ouest-france.fr | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref>
 
==Venues==
The club's regular venue is the Patinoire du Petit Port, located slightly north of downtown Nantes inside the eponymous [[Centre de loisirs du Petit Port]]. On occasion, it uses a second rink located in the southern suburb of Rezé, which is reserved for the training activities of local clubs.<ref name="prom-of"/><ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.piscinepatinoire.com/ville/reze_44400/ | title =Patinoire de Rezé (non ouverte au public) |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | website =piscinepatinoire.com | access-date =6 September 2022}}</ref>
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Ice hockey teams in France]]
[[Category:Ice hockey teams in France]]

Latest revision as of 13:52, 29 July 2024

Corsaires de Nantes
Corsaires de Nantes logo.png
City Nantes, France
League Division 1
2013–present
Founded 1984 (1984)[1]
Home arena Patinoire du Petit Port
Colors Black, navy blue
         
Franchise history
1984–1999 Nantes Hockey Glace
Les Corsaires
1999–present[1] Nantes Atlantique Hockey Glace
Les Corsaires

main

The Corsaires de Nantes (English: Nantes Corsairs) are an ice hockey team based in Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, France.

History

Early years and short top-flight stay

The club was founded in 1984, following the opening of the Petit Port Leisure Center, a sports complex featuring a brand new ice rink. It succeeded another club, simply called Hockey sur glace nantais, in the market.[1] Its nickname is a reference to the corsairs, privateers sailing on behalf of the French crown from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century, a number of which were based in Nantes.

The Corsaires briefly figured in the French top tier for the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons. The National League, as the top level was then called, was so depleted that it was merged into the second-tier Nationale 1 to form a single, 16-team semi-professional league. Furthermore, five eligible teams were unable or unwilling to participate in the new circuit, allowing Nantes to jump straight from the third to the top level.[2] The Corsaires survived the next two seasons on the ice, but in 1994–95, the championship reverted to its previous formula and an 8-team top tier. Nantes was thus reassigned to the second tier. The team was further relegated to the third tier in the spring of 1995,[3] although it quickly gained promotion back to the second tier.[4]

Second-tier final and decline

In 1996 the Corsaires recruited winger Dany Fortin (sometimes spelled Danny Fortin), a former team captain and league all-star with the Gaillards de Jonquière of the Quebec Major Collegiate Hockey League.[5][6] He would spend the better part of his professional career, which lasted until 2011, with the organization and become its all-time leading scorer.[7]

1997 saw the arrival of player-coach Dany Gélinas and defenseman Hubert Dogémont, who had previously been teammates in Valenciennes. Gélinas would be with the team for four seasons before hanging up his skates to pursue a coaching career in Switzerland, while Dogémont would settle in Nantes long term, serving as the club's director of minor hockey and president after his playing career ended.

In their first year under Gélinas, the Corsaires reached the Nationale 1 (second tier) final, losing to the Léopards de Caen. Yet the club was saddled by financial problems, resulting in part from a legal dispute with Gélinas' predecessor Vladimir Zubkov.[8] Due to these difficulties, the city of Nantes threatened to pull the plug on the men's team in 2002.[9] The Conseil général de Loire-Atlantique pledged its support and the club obtained a court judgment allowing it to continue its activities.[10] However, during the delay caused by the proceedings, all vacancies had been filled in Division 1 and the Corsaires were forced to accept relegation to Division 2 (third tier) once more,[11][12][13][14] where they would remain for the next decade.

Rebuild and Ligue Magnus ambitions

In 2013, Nantes was promoted to Division 1 together with their regional rival and victor in the Division 2 finals, Cholet. For the Division 2 playoffs and ensuing offseason, recently elected president Dogémont summoned longtime collaborator Gélinas—then between jobs in Basel and Lausanne[15]—back to the fold to serve as a special coaching consultant.[16][17]

In 2019, the club signed a farm team agreement with the Ligue Magnus' Boxers de Bordeaux.[18] The Boxers moved their prospects to Tours after one season.[19]

Since the late 2010s, the Corsaires have emerged as one of the leading candidates for promotion to the Ligue Magnus.[20][21]

Venues

The club's regular venue is the Patinoire du Petit Port, located slightly north of downtown Nantes inside the eponymous Centre de loisirs du Petit Port. On occasion, it uses a second rink located in the southern suburb of Rezé, which is reserved for the training activities of local clubs.[21][22]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Historique – Nantes". French Ice Hockey Federation. 27 January 2015. https://www.hockeyfrance.com/competitions/2015/01/27/historique-nantes-2/. 
  2. ↑ Branchu, Marc. "Championnat de France 1992/93". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/France1993.htm. 
  3. ↑ Branchu, Marc. "Championnat de France 1994/95". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/France1995.htm. 
  4. ↑ Branchu, Marc. "Championnat de France 1995/96". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/France1996.htm. 
  5. ↑ Girard, Paul-Armand. "Gain des Gaillards 3–1", 1 October 1995, p. 58. 
  6. ↑ "Statistiques : Collégial majeur", 12 April 1995, p. S11. 
  7. ↑ "Hockey sur glace : Dany Fortin n'est plus l'entraîneur de Nantes !". 24 March 2010. https://saint-nazaire.maville.com/actu/actudet_-hockey-sur-glace-dany-fortin-n-est-plus-l-entraineur-de-nantes-_47-1307937_actu.Htm. 
  8. ↑ "Le jeu des seize musicales", 26 June 2002. 
  9. ↑ Branchu, Marc (12 July 2002). "Nantes : la fin". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/juil2002.htm. 
  10. ↑ Branchu, Marc (3 August 2002). "Le tribunal favorable à Nantes". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/aout2002.htm. 
  11. ↑ Branchu, Marc (10 August 2002). "Championnats de France : on sait enfin presque tout". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/aout2002.htm. 
  12. ↑ Branchu, Marc (24 August 2002). "Les calendriers". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/aout2002.htm. 
  13. ↑ Branchu, Marc (30 August 2002). "Division 2 : désistement et refus". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/aout2002.htm. 
  14. ↑ Branchu, Marc (13 September 2002). "13/09 Nantes repêché in extremis ?". https://www.hockeyarchives.info/infos/sept2002.htm. 
  15. ↑ "Un nouveau chef de la formation de Gottéron". 18 September 2013. https://www.20min.ch/fr/story/un-nouveau-chef-de-la-formation-de-gotteron-135086738834. 
  16. ↑ "Les Corsaires en demi-finale". 24 March 2013. https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/les-corsaires-en-demi-finale-1483482. 
  17. ↑ "Les Corsaires entrent dans une nouvelle dimension". 12 August 2013. https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/les-corsaires-entrent-dans-une-nouvelle-dimension-1416847. 
  18. ↑ "Hockey sur glace – Licences bleues – Entente Bordeaux Nantes". 24 May 2019. http://www.hockeyhebdo.com/news-licences-bleues---entente-bordeaux-nantes,26486.html. 
  19. ↑ "Division 1 : les licences bleues, un renfort bienvenu aux Remparts de Tours". 18 December 2021. https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/tours/division-1-les-licences-bleues-un-renfort-bienvenu-aux-remparts-de-tours. 
  20. ↑ "Nantes. Hockey/Glace : les Corsaires refusent la Ligue Magnus !". 19 May 2018. https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/nantes-44000/nantes-hockeyglace-les-corsaires-refusent-la-ligue-magnus-5b8fd6ce-5ce3-32fb-9803-a91f61ef59ee. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "D1. Les Corsaires sont-ils prêts à plonger dans le grand bain ?". 15 April 2021. https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/hockey-sur-glace/corsaires-nantes/d1-les-corsaires-sont-ils-prets-a-plonger-dans-le-grand-bain-e8f8ffc8-9df7-11eb-b280-f7299931f171. 
  22. ↑ "Patinoire de Rezé (non ouverte au public)". https://www.piscinepatinoire.com/ville/reze_44400/. 
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