The Quebec next one where have you gone?

There was a time when Quebec and Ontario would exchange the next one. You got Gretzky we got Lemieux, you got Hull we got Lafleur. However, in the last decade the next one seems to be coming either from Ontario or Nova Scotia. The slew of next ones from Ontario  include Tavares, Stamkos, Hall, Seguin, and next year Connor Mcdavid. Nova Scotia has produced Sydney Crosby and Nathan Mckinnon. Patrice Bergeron is probably the best player from Quebec but he is no offensive superstar. The last number one pick from Quebec was Marc Andre Fleury and the last next one was Vincent Lacavalier 16 years ago. Martin St Louis is still going strong at 38 but he came from nowhere to become the star he is. The best habs player is either the Westerner Carey Price, the Torontonian PK Subban, or the American Max Pacioretty.

I recalled there was a period  Quebec journalists were clamoring for a Team Quebec who they thought could compete with Team Canada. That was an era Quebec could have fielded a team that included Patrick Roy, Mario Lemieux, Raymond Bourque, Luc Robitaille, Mike Bossy etc. These days Team Quebec could field a team of old geezers like Lecavalier, Brodeur,  St Louis, and Briere, or young underachievers Huberdeau or Couturier.

So what has happened? Montreal still seems to be a hockey hotbed. When hockey season begins the other sports in Montreal are simply ignored. It is hockey 24 hours 7 days a week. The fans are still hockey mad. Montreal does not have professional basketball or baseball teams so the habs dominate all sports media. However, this has not generated any next one for over a decade. I am uncertain if this is due to economics and the cost of playing hockey. It could be part of the technological revolution and kids playing virtual games rather that real games. Whatever the explanation a tradition seems to be ending. The Quebec next one may be a dying breed.