Champlain Bridge renaming sparks #NameThatBridge

The replacement for the Champlain Bridge will not bear the name of Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard.

• Champlain Bridge: Sneak peek at the sleek new design

Federal Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel made the announcement in Quebec City Thursday morning.

The suggestion caused major debate across the province. Many saidthe name of one of the Quebecs founders should remain attached to the new structure.

Lebel said he was withdrawing the name of Maurice Richard from consideration after discussing the subject with the hockey players children.

I find it sad that weve put two giants of our history in competition with each other, said Lebel.

That was absolutely not our goal.

Lebel said the priority right now is to build the bridgeand his government has not made a decision on the new name.

Lebel said the name of explorer Samuel de Champlain is still an option.

People on Twitter and Facebook had some ideas about what the name of the bridge should be some more tongue-in-cheek than others:

• On mobile? See the #NameThatBridgeideas here