Robert Lebel (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Lebel began his administrative career by founding the Interprovincial Senior Hockey League in 1944, serving as its president until 1947. He was president of the Quebec Amateur Hockey Association (QAHA) from 1945 to 1946 and again from 1951 to 1955. He also served as mayor of Chambly, Quebec, from 1955 to 1957, during which he initiated construction of a water treatment facility. Lebel became first vice-president of the CAHA from 1955 to 1957 under Jimmy Dunn, then succeeded him as president from 1957 to 1959, becoming the first French Canadian to lead the country in hockey. He represented the CAHA on the Hockey Hall of Fame's governing committee from 1961 for 17 years.

As IIHF president from 1960 to 1962, Lebel faced Cold War tensions. Prior to the 1962 World Championships in Colorado Springs, East Germany was denied travel permits by the Allied Travel Bureau; Lebel insisted East Germany was a member in good standing and appealed on their behalf. The Soviet Union withdrew in protest, and Lebel denied requests to relocate the event. He also defended the IIHF decision to exclude players reinstated as amateurs after September 1, 1961, which affected Canadian players. After the event, Soviet news agency TASS called for his replacement. Lebel later agreed with his successor Bunny Ahearne's decision to place Canada fourth at the 1964 World Championships.

Returning to Quebec hockey, Lebel facilitated the merger forming the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 1969 and became its founding president, serving until 1975. He was named honorary president of the league in 1975. Lebel died at home in Chambly on September 20, 1999, the eve of his 94th birthday.

Reader's Guide

Lebel's significance lies in his leadership of both Canadian and international amateur hockey during a transformative era. As CAHA president, he was the first French Canadian to hold that role, and his 17-year tenure on the Hockey Hall of Fame's governing committee helped shape the institution. His IIHF presidency was marked by navigating Cold War politics, including the East German travel dispute and Soviet boycott of the 1962 World Championships. He defended the IIHF's amateur rules despite their impact on Canadian players. Lebel's legacy in Quebec includes founding the QMJHL, which became a major development league for junior players. The Robert Lebel Trophy, awarded to the QMJHL team with the best goals against average, and the Centre Sportif Lebel in Chambly honor his contributions. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (1970), the IIHF Hall of Fame (1997), and multiple Quebec halls of fame. The town of Chambly named a boulevard after him, and the QMJHL's Lebel division was named for him.

Did You Know?

• Lebel was the first French Canadian to serve as president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association.
• He was the last Canadian to serve as president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
• Lebel founded the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 1969 and served as its founding president.
• He received the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal in 1992.