Montreal's new pro basketball team is making its arrival in the city official, revealing the name fans can cheer on from the stands, along with a strong mascot design, on December 8.
The Tundra, or Toundra, will become the first Canadian team to join The Basketball League (TBL), the largest pro basketball league south of the border. Only players from Montreal and Quebec will join the roster. They'll don shades of blue to hit the court and rep a fierce-looking bird.
The basketball team's logo and mascot. Courtesy of the Montreal Tundra.
"Montreal is a Nordic city, and that gives us a tenacious, fierce edge… The Tundra for us means a wide-open field of opportunity and potential," said the team's general manager, Juan Mendez.
Mendez is a celebrated former professional basketball player and coach who played in the Canadian national team. He was also the first Canadian inducted into the MAAC Naismith Hall of Fame, an honour reserved for the most accomplished players.
The team will be coached by Igor Rwigema, the founder of basketball academies in Thetford Mines and Alma and a pioneering force in shaping homegrown basketball talent.
"Four current players in the NBA are from here… We have so much basketball talent here in Montreal and Quebec," said Rwigema.
In past years, local basketball players have had to pursue careers in Europe, but no longer with the arrival of the Tundra.
"Our team will give Montreal’s best basketball players a chance to pursue their careers at home, and be close to friends, family and fans," he said
Montreal Tundra General Manager Juan Mendez, Coach Igor Rwigema, Owner Evelyn Magley and TBL's David Magley.Courtesy of the Montreal Tundra.
Part of the ethos of The Basketball League is to give back. So Tundra players who live in Montreal will engage with local communities through school, youth camp and non-profit events.
You can catch the team in the late winter and early spring with home games taking place at the Olympic Park's Centre Pierre-Charbonneau. Tickets will start at $20 and are available to purchase online.
"Our goal is to provide Montrealers the most affordable quality basketball experience," said Mendez.
Here's the team schedule:
- March 4, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Virginia Valley Vipers Centre Pierre-Charbonneau (Home)
- March 5, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Lehigh Valley Legends (Home)
- March 10, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Albany Patroons (Home)
- March 17, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Syracuse Stallions (Home)
- March 19, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Syracuse Stallions (Home)
- March 24, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs Lehigh Valley Legends (Away)
- March 26, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Albany Patroons (Away)
- March 31, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Reading Rebels (Away)
- April 1st, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. York Mighty Jackals (Away)
- April 13, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Albany Patroons (Away)
- April 14, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Lehigh Valley Legends (Away)
- April 20, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Reading Rebels (Away)
- April 21, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Pennsylvania Kings (Away)
- April 28, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Lehigh Valley Legends (Home)
- April 29, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. York Mighty Ants (Home)
- May 6, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Syracuse Stallions (Home)
- May 7, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Lehigh Valley Legends (Home)
- May 12, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Jamestown Jackals (Away)
- May 13, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Reading Rebels (Away)
- May 14, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Albany Patroons (Away)
- May 19, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Albany Patroons (Away)
- May 27, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Pennsylvania Kings (Home)
- May 28, 2023 Montreal Tundra vs. Lehigh Valley Legends (Home)
