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Player: J.P. Cote

Hometown: Quebec City

Population: 715,515 (2006 Canadian Census)

Type: Urban
J.P. Cote is like a walking history book when it comes to his hometown of Quebec City. Ask him about the place and he’ll go into detail about the city’s founder – Samuel de Champlain, the ramparts surrounding the town, the ancient architecture and the city’s rich culture. He also knows quite a bit about the wild areas of the province, the native tribes and the fishing. Read on, and let Cote be your tour guide for Quebec City and his home province.

What makes Quebec City an interesting place?

“The history and culture. It’s the most European town you’ll find in North America and it was discovered by Samuel de Champlain (1608). You have old ramparts (forts), buildings that are over 200 years old and plenty of places to walk and see it all. It’s on the St. Lawrence River and the name Quebec is a native word for ‘where the river narrows.’”

Does everyone speak French, or is there an English section like there is in Montreal?

“It’s 100 percent French, but everybody there knows English too. We all learn it in school.”

What did you do for fun growing up in Quebec City?

“I played a lot of hockey. In the streets it was so much fun because you have snow piled high so you have body checks. There was also a park, and me and my friends would take care of the ice and play there as well. We also did snowboarding and skiing. Outside of the city there are beautiful mountains with plenty of snow. Last year was a record with 600 centimeters (236 inches).

So Quebec City is a pretty busy place in the winter?

“I just read an article in USA Today that said it’s the best winter city in North America. The best time is in February when we have a carnival with pee wee hockey tournaments at the Le Colisee. Even though it’s cold, there’s 100,000 people showing up in the city and it’s a really good time.”

How about the summer?

“There are a lot of festivals. Last year was the 400th anniversary of the city – making it one of the oldest cities in North America. We had music from Paul McCartney, Linkin Park, Celine Dion and Def Leppard. It was a very big show.”

If someone wanted to visit Quebec City, what would you recommend?

“Take the ferry to go there. You arrive in the lower city, which is the oldest part. When you get there, you can see the cliff and then the big Chateau Frontenac (famous hotel on the city’s skyline), all the ramparts from the Chateau Frontenac castle and the walls around the town. They are 300 years old. Quebec is actually a lower city and a higher city, and there’s a tram that takes you to the higher city. Or you can walk the stairs, which is a little crazy, but you can do it. There’s at least 300 steps and we did them as a workout last summer.”

Was it tough when the Quebec Nordiques moved to become the Colorado Avalanche?

“It’s a hard part… not so much when they left, but the years after when Colorado won the Stanley Cup. Those following years it was tough. In the streets, kids weren’t playing as much hockey and the city missed the team. We took a step back as a city because the Nordiques were putting us on the map.”

Did you ever go to a Nordiques game?

“A lot. My father (Alain Cote) played for them for a while and I went into the locker room all the time. I would see players like Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny. My father’s linemates were Mike Eagles and Paul Gillis.”

Did you ever go fishing in the remote northern part of Quebec?

“I’ve enjoyed a few fishing trips. Ninety-five percent of the population is along the St. Lawrence River towns. Once you go past the 55th parallel there are a lot of native tribes. I’ve been to Chibougamau, which is six hours north of Quebec City. Above that it’s so spread apart and there’s no roads, so you have to fly in.”

Are you going to settle in Quebec City after hockey?

“I’d like to go back there for sure. We always go back in the summer and we’re looking to buy a house. We’re going to have a foot down there for sure.”