Legendary Moncton Wildcats Owner Robert Irving Passes Away

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May 19, 2026 - 15:28

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Legendary Moncton Wildcats Owner Robert Irving Passes Away

Robert Irving was a giant in junior hockey. The legendary owner of the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats passed away just two days after his team fell just short of a second-straight Gilles-Courteau Trophy as league champion.

Irving had owned the team since 1996, when he purchased the club and renamed them from the Moncton Alpines to the Moncton Wildcats. Under his stewardship, Moncton became one of the premier organizations in all of junior hockey.

That was only solidified after the team moved into the Avenir Centre in 2018, largely considered one of the true jewels of junior hockey arenas with a seating capacity just shy of 9,000. It was a co-host venue for the 2023 World Junior Championship and has become a central hub of activity in Downtown Moncton.

Among the wealthiest people in all of Canada as the co-CEO of J.D. Irving Limited and president of Cavendish Farms, Irving was lauded for his philanthropic endeavors both in and outside of hockey.

On the ice, the Wildcats were an annual competitor in the QMJHL. They won the league championship three times including most recently in 2025, hosted the Memorial Cup in 2006 and helped develop numerous NHL players.

Among Moncton’s alumni: Brad Marchand, Keith Yandle, Corey Crawford, Phillip Danault, David Savard, François Beauchemin, Johnny Oduya, Ivan Barbashev and Conor Garland. Additionally, current Moncton captain Caleb Desnoyers made history at the 2025 NHL Draft when he was selected fourth overall, the highest a Wildcat had ever been selected.

The team was a two-time finalist at the Memorial Cup as well.

The QMJHL has a beautiful tribute to the legendary owner detailing his many endeavors both inside the league and beyond, which you can read in full here.

“The departure of Robert Irving is extremely sad. He was a pillar and a builder within the QMJHL. There are so many moments to remember from his career. What I remember above all is his passion for the players and his team. He took incredible care of them, encouraging and supporting them to make their years in Moncton nothing short of memorable. He could always be counted on for all the discussions at the league level, and always with a clear position. Thank you Robert”, said QMJHL Commissioner Mario Cecchini in a statement released by the league.

When the Wildcats fell just short of winning a second consecutive QMJHL title, falling in six games to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, the players clearly were especially saddened knowing that their owner was dealing with health complications.

After the game, captain Caleb Desnoyers told reporters that he felt like he let Irving down, underlining how much respect the players had for their team owner.

"Everyone doubted us. There weren’t many people who believed in us, apart from us. And it started with Mr. Irving. That’s what hurts me the most," Desnoyers said (via le journal de quebec).

GM Taylor MacDougall assured everyone and Desnoyers that he didn't let anyone down.

Given Irving's reputation, especially for taking care of his players and ensuring they had the best junior hockey experience possible, he certainly had to be proud of his team and one of the players that will be part of a long legacy of great players to come through Moncton.

Robert Irving was 71 years old.

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