The Junior Raiders are Leaving Châteauguay

On January 29th, the Quebec Junior Major Football League (QMJFL) announced that Châteauguay’ Junior Raiders would be moving to Montreal’s West Island.

Translation Amanda Bennett

After 40 years of residence in Châteauguay, the Junior Raiders will become part of the West Island’s North Shore Football Association which operates in Pierrefonds and Dollard-des-Ormeaux. The QMJFL includes five teams of players aged 18 to 24.  

The new team will be called the North Shore JR Raiders, thereby maintaining the Raiders name, confirmed QMJFL President, Gary Rusyn, in a publication on the Facebook page of John Mouland, the Châteauguay Junior Raiders’ President.

The Châteauguay organization justified its decision, stating that it had « become inevitable » due to a lack of local players, among others.

«The reality is that 90% of our players are from the West Island,” explained Jeff Craig, Vice-President of the Junior Raiders, in that same publication. “In fact, only three players from the 2023 season were Châteauguay residents. Young people have a variety of choices for where to play- there are Cégep and university teams- which is a factor when it comes to local recruitment.”

Mr. Craig added that it was a difficult decision, but that “we know that North Shore organization is a family like ours, and, that our legacy will be in good hands.”

A representative from the West Island’s North Shore told Le Soleil via email that the exact location where they would play in the West Island had yet to be determined.

«We are really excited to welcome a new team into the fold; we want to bring even more football into our area, » stated Michael Masella, Association President in a video posted on Facebook.  

The other Raiders organizations that operate at the Tyke, Atom, Mosquito, Pee-Wee, Bantam and Midget levels will remain in Châteauguay.  

Le Soleil attempted to speak with Junior Raiders’ coach Derek Durocher, but we were not able to connect prior to going to print.