The 1996–97 QMJHL season was the 28th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league continues explore new markets as the Saint-Hyacinthe Laser move north to Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. The New Faces Cup is renamed the RDS Cup, for its new sponsor, Réseau des sports. Fourteen teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Hull Olympiques finished first overall in the regular season winning their third Jean Rougeau Trophy, and won their fourth President's Cup, defeating the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the finals.
The Saint-Hyacinthe Laser relocated to Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, becoming the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
The Moncton Alpines are renamed the Moncton Wildcats.
Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; Pts = Points; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against
complete list of standings.
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
complete scoring statistics
Frederic Bouchard was the leading scorer of the playoffs with 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists).
First team
Goaltender - Marc Denis, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Left defence - Derrick Walser, Beauport Harfangs / Rimouski Océanic
Right defence - Stéphane Robidas, Shawinigan Cataractes
Left winger - Philippe Audet, Granby Prédateurs
Centreman - Daniel Corso, Victoriaville Tigres
Right winger - Pavel Rosa, Hull Olympiques
Coach - Clément Jodoin, Halifax Mooseheads
Second team
Goaltender - Jean-Sébastien Giguère, Halifax Mooseheads
Left defence - Radoslav Suchy, Sherbrooke Faucons / Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Right defence - Frédéric Bouchard, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies / Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Left winger - Jean-Pierre Dumont, Val-d'Or Foreurs
Centreman - Daniel Brière, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Right winger - Eric Normandin, Rimouski Océanic
Coach - Alain Rajotte, Victoriaville Tigres
Rookie team
Goaltender - Christian Bronsard, Hull Olympiques
Left defence - François Beauchemin, Laval Titan Collège Français & Jeffrey Sullivan, Granby Prédateurs / Halifax Mooseheads
Right defence - Jonathan Girard, Laval Titan Collège Français
Left winger - Alex Tanguay, Halifax Mooseheads
Centreman - Vincent Lecavalier, Rimouski Océanic
Right winger - Gregor Baumgartner, Laval Titan Collège Français
Coach - Denis Francoeur, Shawinigan Cataractes
List of First/Second/Rookie team all-stars.
Trophies and awards
Team
President's Cup - Playoff Champions, Hull Olympiques
Jean Rougeau Trophy - Regular Season Champions, Hull Olympiques
Robert Lebel Trophy - Team with best GAA, Hull Olympiques
Player
Michel Brière Memorial Trophy - Most Valuable Player, Daniel Corso, Victoriaville Tigres
Jean Béliveau Trophy - Top Scorer, Pavel Rosa, Hull Olympiques
Guy Lafleur Trophy - Playoff MVP, Christian Bronsard, Hull Olympiques
Ford Cup – Offensive - Offensive Player of the Year, Pavel Rosa, Hull Olympiques
Ford Cup – Defensive - Defensive Player of the Year, Jean-Sébastien Giguère, Halifax Mooseheads
AutoPro Plaque - Best plus/minus total, Pavel Rosa, Hull Olympiques
Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy - Best GAA, Marc Denis, Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Emile Bouchard Trophy - Defenceman of the Year, Stéphane Robidas, Shawinigan Cataractes
Mike Bossy Trophy - Best Pro Prospect, Roberto Luongo, Val-d'Or Foreurs
RDS Cup - Rookie of the Year, Vincent Lecavalier, Rimouski Océanic
Michel Bergeron Trophy - Offensive Rookie of the Year, Vincent Lecavalier, Rimouski Océanic
Raymond Lagacé Trophy - Defensive Rookie of the Year, Christian Bronsard, Hull Olympiques
Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy - Most sportsmanlike player, Daniel Brière, Drummondville Voltigeurs
QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year - Humanitarian of the Year, Jason Groleau, Victoriaville Tigres
Marcel Robert Trophy - Best Scholastic Player, Luc Vaillancourt, Beauport Harfangs
Executive
Ron Lapointe Trophy - Coach of the Year, Clément Jodoin, Halifax Mooseheads
John Horman Trophy - Executive of the Year, Harold MacKay, Halifax Mooseheads
St-Clair Group Plaque - Marketing Director of the Year, Matt McKnight, Halifax Mooseheads
Paul Dumont Trophy - Personality of the Year, Michel Therrien, Granby Prédateurs
