The Ottawa Highlanders don’t have much history at this point of their existence. Announced as an expansion franchise in S75, their first season in the SMJHL came in S76. That’s only four full seasons in the league. After doing a bit of research and looking at the history that’s there, I could make a case for a few teams being rivals of the Highlanders.

First is the Quebec City Citadelles. This is based purely off of geographic location. As the closest team to Ottawa (it’s only roughly 275 miles between the two cities), it makes sense for the Citadelles to be a rival as it means bragging rights in the area are on the line. However, there aren’t any epic games or playoff matchups between the teams to speak of (yet).

The next team on the list is the Maine Timber. They’re pretty close geographically with only 400 miles between the two arenas. They have also met in the playoffs twice in the Highlander’s four season existence. The first time in S77 in which Ottawa knocked the Timber out of the playoffs with a 4-2 series victory (Maine was the best team in the league during the regular season) then again in S78 where Maine got their revenge, eliminating the Highlanders with a 4-1 series victory.

The last team on the list is the Carolina Kraken. Maybe a bit of the reach but Ottawa’s GM Frenchie was sve7en’s longest tenured co-GM before leaving to found the Highlanders. Bragging rights are always on the line when mentor and mentee square off.

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