QUEBEC LEAGUE COMMISSIONER - DISCUSSES CORMIER'S SUSPENSION

Taken from TSN.CA - http://www.tsn.ca/chl/story/?id=307664 -

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League commissioner Gilles Courteau joined Michael Landsberg on Off The Record on Monday to discuss the season-long suspension that was assessed to Patrice Cormier of Rouyn-Noranda.

Landsberg asked Courteau how the league came to a decision on the final length of the suspension.

"What we've seen on the ice through video, it's unacceptable for us at the QMJHL, and this is something that we don't want to see happen," said Courteau. "Even if it's an isolated incident, it was a severe elbow from Patrice Cormier to Mikael Tam's head. It was serious what happened on the ice after the fact, with (Tam's) convulsions, which was the main reason our Disciplinary Prefect, Raymond Bolduc, came up with that decision."

Patrick Roy, the head coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts, also commented on the play that injured his player.

"Nobody is happy to give probably the largest suspension ever in our league to Patrice Cormier, but at the same time I think it's a great opportunity for our league to send a message to our players," said Roy. "I think the league has taken an approach to make sure that situations like this will not happen again. I think it's a step in the right direction."

Cormier's suspension runs through the regular season and playoffs, but he is still eligible to petition for reinstatement should Rouyn-Noranda advance to the Memorial Cup.

"That's something that would be appealed to the Canadian Hockey League (commissioners David Branch (OHL), Ron Robison (WHL), and myself) as the Executive Committee, and from there we'll make a decision," explained Courteau.

Courteau cited the precedent of Chris Simon, who appealed to the same panel and was reinstated from a suspension in time to play for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 1992 Memorial Cup.

Roy thinks the length of Cormier's ban will be an effective deterrent for the future.
"I think the [QMJHL] did something that, because I'm a coach and I'm around the players all the time, I know that they will think about it from now on," said Roy. "It's a good step in the right direction to stop headshots."

Courteau was asked by Landsberg if he wanted other leagues to respect the QMJHL's suspension when considering whether to invite Cormier to play. Cormier could approach several pro leagues about returning to the ice this season.

"Cormier is not allowed to play for any teams or leagues that are under Hockey Canada's jurisdiction, and for the pro leagues we have an agreement with the NHL that goes down to the AHL," explained Courteau. "For the other pro leagues we do not have an agreement, so that's going to be up to them. But our message to them is...please, respect our decision."