The hit that knocked out a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League player has led to a season-long suspension for Patrice Cormier.
The man in charge of discipline for the QMJHL, Raymond Bolduc, said that Cormier's conduct had to be punished.
"The act that was committed was dangerous and unacceptable," said Bolduc. "I have decided to suspend Patrice Cormier for the balance of the QMJHL hockey season and the playoffs as well."
Speaking at a news conference in Boucherville Monday morning, league commissioner Gilles Courteau said hockey players have to play with respect.
"Hockey is a fast and physical game, and the conditions necessitate that respect must play as much a part of the game as the rules," said Courteau.
"They must be held accountable, as do the coaches that lead them."
The hit
The incident that led the end of Cormier's season took place during overtime play on Sunday Jan. 17, in a game between the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Quebec Remparts.
Cormier, who had only been playing for the Huskies for a few weeks, came out of the penalty box, skated directly toward Mikael Tam and elbowed him in the face.
The blow sent Tam to the ice, where he convulsed in unconsciousness until a medical team came to his assistance.
Tam was taken off the ice in a stretcher.
The next day the QMJHL's disciplinary prefect suspended Cormier indefinitely.
"Our responsibility must lie in the safety of our players. That is our number one priority," said Bolduc.
Patrick Roy supports decision
When he came to, he was afraid that he could not walk, and would never play hockey again.
His coach Patrick Roy, whose own son Jonathon was suspended and charged for an on-ice fight, supports the suspension.
"Because I'm a coach and I'm around players all the time, I know they will think about," said Roy. "It's a good step in the right direction to stop seeing head shots."
Cormier has said that his action was "a reflex," which many critics are calling unacceptable, citing a similar attack Cormier made on a Swedish player a few weeks earlier.
In December, while serving as captain of the Canadian team at the world junior championship, the New Brunswick native hit Sweden's Anton Rodin with an elbow to the face.
Cormier was a second-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2008 draft, and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team last summer.
Five days to appeal
Cormier has five days to appeal this decision.
While it is in force he is not allowed to play in any league under Hockey Canada's jurisdiction.
The QMJHL says it will ask other leagues to abide by their decision.
Meanwhile the Surete du Quebec, at the league's request, has completed an investigation into the hit.
Officers say they have turned over all the information to crown prosecutors, who have yet to decide whether they will bring the matter to court.
