Cormier Suspended For Season, Playoffs
Matt Bodenschatz | Amateur Hockey (Juniors/NCAA)
Jan 27, 11:33 AM | Hype this story!
Patrice Cormier knew a hefty suspension was looming following a violent elbow that left opponent Mikael Tam seizing on the ice during a QMJHL game last week.
Yesterday, the 19-year-old New Jersey Devils prospect found out his fate: a season-long suspension that includes the playoffs, according to TSN.
In conjunction with his suspension, Cormier will be ineligible to play for the Devils and their AHL affiliate.
A video of the graphic hit can be seen below (at the one minute mark), and Zach Boslett’s FF article following the event can be read here.
“You see it clearly on the video that it’s an elbow, but, as I’ve said, it was a reflex,” Cormier rationalized to RDS soon after the incident. “I tried to check him. I had no idea I hit him in the head, but obviously I did. It was never my intention to cause any injuries.”
Originally, most parties involved appeared to be okay with the decision of QMJHL Chief disciplinarian Raymond Bolduc.
- “I fully respect the Quebec Major Junior League’s decision regarding the Mikael Tam incident,” Cormier said in a statement released by Halifax-based agent Tim Cranston, via CTV Montreal. “I deeply regret the circumstances surrounding this event and wish Mikael Tam a speedy and full recovery.”
- “We will honour the league’s suspension, have not considered, and will not explore other avenues for his return this season,” Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a team release. “We are pleased to hear Mikael Tam is doing well. Our thoughts are with him for a full recovery.”
Now, Cormier, the captain of Canada’s World Junior Championship entry this winter, and his team, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, plan to appeal the suspension.
“The Huskies have never tried to minimize or diminish the incident that took place on Jan. 17, it was a regrettable incident for all involved,” Huskies coach André Tourigny said, according to The Globe and Mail. “As we said before the league’s disciplinary committee, we were fully conscious that this act deserved a severe sanction. From our point of view, the sanction the QMJHL imposed yesterday is not severe, it is excessive.”
Meanwhile, a criminal investigation remains in place by Quebec police, who have interviewed Tam’s coach, legendary NHL goalie Patrick Roy.
As for Tam, he remains on a positive track of recovery, but isn’t out of the woods yet.
“Today I am not sure how long I will be away from the game,” Tam admitted Friday, according to TSN. “I have suffered a traumatic brain injury, I have lost a few teeth and I feel very tired. With the help of the medical staff, my goal is to return to the ice at some point.”
He later added: “I am a winner and a warrior and I will try and come back as soon as I can. My desire is to find again the passion that I had playing hockey and I will play hockey again.”
Comments
Pens1967
Jan 27, 12:25 PM
Now, THIS is chutzpah!
DaBich
Jan 27, 12:36 PM
If Courmier and his team feels it is “excessive”, let them appeal. If I were the league and Tam, I would then press criminal charges and urge the league to extend the suspension even longer.
DaBich
Jan 27, 12:41 PM
Also, I read that Cormier did basically the same thing to two other players a few weeks or so … so this is the third time…it’s no accident, Cormier needs punished.
REBEL
Jan 27, 01:13 PM
Anyone who behaves this way in sports should not be allowed to play. Period.
Moq
Jan 27, 01:25 PM
I don’t have the stomach to see the clip, but by every account read it’s a justified suspension. The severity of the punishment might even be on the light side of things.
All in all, it sends a good signal to the participants of youth hockey. Respecting your opponent starts there.
DaBich
Jan 27, 01:29 PM
MOQ, suck it up and watch it. It’s not gory, just very graphic in that it shows Tam convulsing on the ice. You have to see it to understand.
Natty Lite
Jan 27, 01:57 PM
Try telling Tam the suspension is excessive.
All indications are that it is unlikely Tam will play again this season. If that’s the case, then Cormier should be out just as long, if not longer.
bag o' pucks
Jan 27, 01:58 PM
I wonder if Tourigny would feel the discipline was excessive if one of his players had taken that hit, instead of delivering it.
DaBich
Jan 27, 02:36 PM
Pucks…ahhh…therein lies the problem. Let’s say the player injured was his relative…even his son. He’d be screaming for blood.
Ray aka WildcatRay
Jan 27, 02:48 PM
BTW-How often does Mike Richards lead with his forearms when delivering hits. (I was going to say checks, but that would imply that what he does is within the rules which I no longer feel they are.) The guy he laid out, Booth, I think, only returned to light skating in December due to the brain trauma Richards’ hit caused. And, all Richards got was the penalties the referees assessed during the game.
My point is Richards seems to be deliberately trying to hit opponents as hard as he can AND appears to be getting away with it.
Stick your elbow out at least several times before getting a punishment that fits the crime. Lead with your forearms—Richards has done so regularly—and, at most, get a slap on the wrist and keep on playing.
DaBich
Jan 27, 03:04 PM
Ray, depends on who you are…had Cooke done that…WHAM! He’d have been suspended probably 20 games.
Ray aka WildcatRay
Jan 27, 08:00 PM
Dabich,
Do you think it might be time to move away from the prior acts standard and toward the punishment fitting the crime?
DaBich
Jan 28, 07:28 AM
Ray, if you mean prior acts as in what Cormier has done previously, he elbowed two players in the weeks before he knocked Tam out.Do I believe it should be a factor, certainly! But I guess I’m greedy, I also think the punishment should fit the crime. And this was bad. Have I answered your question? =)
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