Montréal Black Vees Approved for NCDC Membership Beginning in 2026-27
The National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) is proud to announce that the Montréal Black Vees have been approved to join the league beginning with the 2026-27 season. The team will play its home games at mystical Colisée de Laval, the arena where Mario Lemieux played his legendary Junior hockey career at in, bringing Tier II junior hockey to the greater Montreal area.
The Black Vees organization has established itself as a strong presence within the USPHL Premier division, building both competitive success and a loyal fan base in the community. The transition to the NCDC marks a significant step forward for the franchise and further strengthens the league’s growing footprint in Québec.
Claude Fortin, Team Owner & General Manager of the Black Vees, emphasized the excitement surrounding the announcement.
“Our Premier program has been an enormous success in the community,” said Fortin. “We have averaged around 200 fans at every local game. In Montréal and within our division, attracting that kind of crowd for Premier hockey is rare. Bringing the NCDC to Colisée de Laval raises the level even higher, and the east end of Montréal is extremely exciting.”
The Black Vees have consistently positioned themselves at the forefront of every league they have joined, progressing from competition through Elite and Premier play. Fortin believes the experience gained over the past several seasons has laid the foundation for success at the NCDC level.
“We expect nothing less for our NCDC squad,” Fortin said. “We have learned a tremendous amount over the past three years competing in Elite and Premier. That experience will be an enormous advantage as we build our NCDC program.”
The addition of the Black Vees to the NCDC further enhances the league’s role as a direct pathway to collegiate hockey in both Canada and the United States. In Québec, the NCDC is positioned as one of the strongest junior options outside of major junior hockey, providing significant exposure to Canadian university programs while maintaining strong NCAA relationships throughout the U.S.
“In Québec, the NCDC will position itself as the strongest league after the QMJHL,” Fortin said. “We expect Canadian university scouts to pay close attention to our games, and the NCDC already has strong visibility with U.S. colleges. Combined with our established connections to NCAA, U SPORTS, European, and ACHA programs, joining the Black Vees opens the door to a world of possibilities for our players.”
The organization will operate both NCDC and Premier teams under one structure, creating a streamlined development pathway for players within the program.
“Having both NCDC and Premier teams allows us to solidify our structure,” Fortin explained. “We can develop younger players at the Premier level and advance them to the NCDC when they are ready. It also strengthens our recruitment model and overall player progression.”
With strong community support, a proven development philosophy, and a clear commitment to advancement, the Montréal Black Vees are set to make their NCDC debut in 2026-27.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Montréal to the NCDC,” said USPHL Commissioner Tony Zasowski. “Montréal is one of the great hockey cities in the world, and adding the Black Vees strengthens our presence in Québec while continuing to expand the league’s footprint across North America. This move not only grows the NCDC at a key hockey market, but it also creates new opportunities for players to gain elite exposure and advance to collegiate hockey in both Canada and the United States. We believe this is an important step forward for the league and for player development in the region.”
Further announcements regarding staff appointments, player identification camps, and the inaugural NCDC schedule will be released in the coming months.