A parade 20 years in the making: Acadie-Bathurst Titan celebrated in Bathurst
Nathalie Sturgeon | CBC News | Posted: May 30, 2018 12:39 AM | Last Updated: May 30, 2018
At least 5,000 people attended a parade Tuesday night for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan
It's a parade the fans of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan have been waiting to see for 20 years.
Bathurst, a city of just over 13,000, erupted after the team won the Memorial Cup Sunday night. A procession carried the players, the Memorial Cup and the President's Cup for the first time ever.
At least 5,000 people lined the streets for a celebration on Tuesday and filled nearby Coronation Park to show their support for the home team.
Armed with signs coloured in red, gold, and white, and wearing Titan jerseys, the fans cheered and chanted "go Titan go" as players passed through the large crowds.
Samuel Asselin, a centreman for the Titan, said it was a great day. Assistant captain Noah Dobson agreed.
"It's incredible," he said in an interview with Radio-Canada. "We had tremendous support all season, especially come playoff season."
Dobson said he's happy to share this championship with Bathurst.
"Just lifting the cup in front of all the people and hearing them go crazy, it's really special."
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team defeated the Regina Pats in the Memorial Cup final for the first time in its franchise history.
Just two weeks earlier, the team won the President's Cup against the Blainville-Boisbriand, earning them the title of two-time champions.
The team was relocated to Bathurst in 1998. It last won the President's Cup in 1999.