CORMIER SUSPENDED FOR BALANCE OF QMJHL SEASON AND PLAYOFFS

The verdict is in.

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forward Patrice Cormier was suspended for the balance of the season and the playoffs by the QMJHL on Monday.

Cormier, 19, created a firestorm of media attention last week when he elbowed Mikael Tam of the Quebec Remparts in the head, sending Tam into convulsions on the ice and causing him to be taken to hospital with brain trauma and broken teeth.

Chief disciplinarian Raymond Bolduc called the hit "dangerous and unacceptable" after laying out the punishment on Monday.

The incident occurred in overtime of a game on January 17. Cormier took to the ice to start his shift, cut through the centre ice area and threw his right elbow up into Tam's face. Tam then collapsed, his body shaking until he was taken off the ice on a stretcher by medical staff and players.

Cormier, who was playing in just his third game with the Huskies, was suspended indefinitely by the league pending further investigation.

The hit generated a massive amount of discussion in Canada, drawing the ire of head shot critics from the hockey world. The day after the incident, TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie took to his Twitter account, writing, "This Cormier elbow is sickening on so many levels. I have never been so discouraged about the game of hockey as now."

The league announced last Wednesday that it would be unveiling "disciplinary measures" the following Monday for Cormier, who was serving as the captain of Canada's world junior team no more than a few weeks ago.

This suspension also comes just four days after the OHL suspended Windsor Spitfires forward Zack Kassian for 20 games for his hit to the head on the Barrie Colts' Matt Kennedy back on January 14th.

Bolduc had spent recent days looking over testimony from players, officials and team representatives who witnessed the incident.

He added on Monday that Cormier would not be allowed to play in any leagues under Hockey Canada's jurisdiction, but that he had five days to appeal the suspension if he wished to do so.

Meanwhile, Tam is now out of hospital but is waiting to hear whether he'll be able to resume his hockey career in the near future, if at all.

Cormier, a 6'2, 205-pound New Brunswick native, was selected 54th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.


Cormier suspended for balance of QMJHL season and playoffs

Totally deserved. Right call here. It was one of the most disgusting plays I have ever seen in hockey. This is 100% the right call, especially the bolded part.

I agree right call!!!

Totally deserved, and hopefully the kid learns something! That you CANNOT do stuff like that!

Lamoriello addresses Cormier suspension

Did you have an option to try and place him somewhere else if you’d wanted to?
junior hockey has made a decision. These types of situations are at a time when they’re trying to be prevented. We will support junior hockey in their decision that has been made, and that is, by supporting them, he will not play for the rest of the year. In no way do we feel that this incident was indicative of the character of Patrice Cormier. We’ve had him in summer camp, we’ve had him in training camp. His character is not something that he tries to go out and do these things. It’s an unfortunate incident, and in saying that, he has to be responsible for what he did. A decision has been brought down by junior hockey and we will respect that and not try to circumvent it by allowing him to play elsewhere at this given time.

Complete interview here: Lamoriello addresses Cormier suspension - NHL.com - News

___________________________

I applaud Lamoriello for honouring the suspension Cormier received, to the full extent.

looks like he is trying to be the next Scott Stevens or something

Apparently he tries to 'fashion' his game after that of Todd Bertuzzi's.

Scott Stevens went to the same highschool as I did (of course not at the same time, but still!)

My family and I were watching the news, and it was about the Cormier hit, and my dad was SOOOO mad. He was like, the kid is CONVULSING!!! Like it wasn't on purpose. I don't think I've seen my dad that angry in a long time!

Again, well deserved.

I wanted something more severe.

The guy almost died.

How comforting is it when a player wins an award and stands up to say "I'd like to thank my parents for their support and so on." Imagine the joy of his parents...Now think of his parents when some other kid does something so stupid and their son almost faces/experiences death.

Yes this game is fast and dangerous but does it enter the stages of death? F*** NO!

This is Canada's best sport, do we want it to be a violent one?

I just couldn't believe it.

Life threatning accidents happen like those of Zedniks but...This? You kidding me? GTFO CORMIER.

__________________

I really think he should have gotten some punishment during the Juniors. He did the same thing twice I think, in those games alone.

Although, they are talking about criminal charges (from what I heard on the news last night), so he still may be criminally charged for the hit. And personally I think he should. You can't just go around and do that stuff in normal everyday life!?!? Why would they just allow it in hockey??

Although, that kid will have a hard time in the big leagues... he'll be pegged from now on!

Wow, the Huskies plan to appeal Cormier's suspension!

Huskies plan to appeal Cormier's season-long suspension

Royn-Noranda general manager is citing the suspension as 'excessive' as he (Patrice Cormier) can miss up to 48 games.

pfffffft While its a massive suspension and it may set a precedent ( too lazy to research) its not unfair at all. There was attempt to injure, reckless abandonment, a blemish on hockey and so on.

I think that is SO bad to try to fight this. Its the kids fault --- and he deserves what he gets.

If I went out and just nailed someone like that while skating in an arena somewhere, I would be charged adn probably spend some time in jail, lose my nursing license and all that! SO he shoudl suck it up, and deal with what he had coming.. I'm sure it could have been worse!

I agree, but the bolded part goes along with fighting. If people keep fighting in this game, hockey is still considered violent. Maybe dangerous is the correct word?

True.

Though fighting can be known as two players releasing their anger. You don't HAVE to fight it's something a player chooses even guys who are payed to fight sometimes turn down challenges. Either way it's just horrific.

Dangerous, Life threatening etc...

To me this sport is based on skill and how you can handle physical play not how can you handle your body ALL the time to ensure someone doesn't cut your throat off.

__________________