Patrice Cormier's Elbow Nearly Ends Tam's Life
Zach Boslett | National Hockey League
Jan 18, 12:32 PM | Hype this story!
Team Canada must be more careful when choosing their captains for their World Junior Championship teams if they think that Patrice Cormier was a good choice.
Cormier was involved in two elbowing incidents during pre-competition games when he elbowed Anton Rodin of Sweden and Teemu Hartikainen of Finland. (Courtesy of Puck Daddy)
Then in his third game with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Cormier delivered his most devastating and likely last elbow of his junior career.
Cormier, 6’2”, comes off the bench on a line change, heads straight for the 5’10 Mikael Tam as he dumps the puck into the offensive zone, and launches himself – elbow first – into Tam’s face.
Here is a video of the incident: (Warning: The video is very graphic. Watch at your own risk.)
Fast forward to the 1:00 mark.
Tam was rushed off the ice by his teammates because even they understood that they had only minutes to get him to a hospital. The image of his body convulsing is an image that should never be seen during a sporting event.
According to the radio station Quebec 800’s website, Tam is in stable condition at a local hospital and was talking to doctors and family members.
Quebec Remparts trainer Philippe Fait reported that he feared that Tam was dead because he stopped breathing for approximately 30 seconds.
Tam has reportedly only suffered a broken jaw and a concussion. He is incredibly lucky he did not suffer any brain damage or that he did not end up brain dead like many websites and message boards were speculating last night.
Tam is lucky to be alive after that disgusting hit but maybe his case will be the final straw in reducing the rigidity of elbow pads on hockey players to prevent even intentional elbows from possibly killing someone.
If anyone has ever played hockey or has felt the elbow pads of a hockey player, you know that they feel almost like steel – completely unforgiving.
Quebec is planning to press criminal charges against Cormier in the hope that they can remove him from the game of hockey so that an incident like this does not have to happen again.
Earlier this year a player in the OHL was suspended for the rest of the season for a dirty hit that resulted in a serious injury of his opponent.
In Cormier’s case, what should be done? He is 20 years old so a lifetime ban from juniors would only amount to ~20-30 games.
Should Cormier, a Devils’ 2008 2nd round pick, be banned from hockey or from playing in the NHL? Can the NHL ban him from hockey for an incident that occurred outside the NHL?
Should the Devils void the entry level deal he signed over the summer and forbid him from playing for their organization?
So I ask you, FF readers, what would your punishment be for Cormier if he was a Penguins prospect?
Comments
DaBich
Jan 18, 12:57 PM
Wow, twice in December this player elbows opponents, then again, and the third time he “only” gives the other player a broken jaw and a concussion. On on hand, he is a team captain. He must have some good skills and leadership, but on the other hand, THREE times, is three strikes and you’re out. I’d say criminal charges AND a liftime ban from the NHL team drafting him. I don’t know if he can legally be banned from the NHL. If so, then do that as well. A team would be crazy to take on his liability. Obviously he thinks it’s ok to keep on elbowing players in the face. The deciding factor for me is, if that’s MY kid laying on the ice convulsing, I’m prolly going to be on the ice seeking retribution myself!
Brandon
Jan 18, 01:13 PM
Coming from a lifelong player and coach this is just sick. The video show no evidence of Cromier even moving to body check Tam. It was a pure elbow and almost no other contact was made. Incidents like this give hockey the bad rap it doesn’t need from the media and everyone else. Cromier should be lucky if he ever gets to lace them up again in a meaningful game, my opinion is bench him for life.
Casey
Jan 18, 02:33 PM
We need less people like him in the NHL. His whole month of December was a 31-day audition to play for the Flyers.
Detective Dan
Jan 18, 03:27 PM
I read today that Lamoriello said something along the lines that he didn’t believe Cormier would get a long suspension. What a doofus.
ppirilla
Jan 18, 04:27 PM
I remember a few years ago, I think it was Downie who was in trouble with the leage for an on-ice incident. Despite the fact that he had a mile-long record from his junior career, the NHL could not treat him as a repeat offender, since NHL bylaws state that the league cannot suspend a player for actions that occur while playing in any other league.
That said, I would hope that this makes the Devils organization think twice about ever putting him on the ice.
Michael
Jan 18, 04:48 PM
This incident is despicable.
Such a blatant intent to injure simply must NOT go unchallenged. I am a father and a grandfather..I am outraged by this sort of behaviour.
If this incident had happened and had been witnessed off the ice, surely Cormier would have been be charged and brought to justice.
I am pleased to hear that Tam is recovering. I wish him a full recovery.
But what if Tam had been brain damaged or worse yet,killed by such a vicious attack?
Would you exonerate Cormier then?
How did Cormier ever get on team Canada? How did he become its captain? Who screens these young men ?
Along with so many other fans,I too am sick onto death of the Don Cherry goon approach to our national game.
Team Canada is supposed to be comprised of the our best players. Players who are blessed with the attributes of skill, resilience,courage,determination and toughness yet above all are still SPORTSMEN.
The apparent ignoring by Cormier of his injured, unconscious convulsing victim, Tam is very revealing . Cormier seems to be nothing more than a skillful sociopath on blades.
He should be suspended forthwith. My gut reaction is to drum him out of the corp. However , possibly after meaningful counselling he could be allowed back into the game. He is just 20 after all.
Bruce Hollingdrake
Jan 18, 04:57 PM
First time I see the video.
My 3 year old is sitting here beside me. Can you imagine the family of Tam. Heartbreaking really.
I’ve been talking for a while now about the imminent death of a young athlete. With the speed and size of these kids the game becomes very dangerous. When you add intent to do serious injury it becomes downright scarry. What the hell was Cormier thinking?
Many other have written about the lack of respect among players…difficult to see how this may change but the NHL needs to take the lead and ask the QMJL to impose a severe suspension and make it reciprocal. At least a full season.
roby gillis
Jan 18, 05:03 PM
cormier is an idiot and an absolute disgrace to the hockey world, showing no remorse or sympathy for the obviously seriously injured player is as disturbing as the was itself, cormier should be banned from all professional hockey for good as this is not the first very ugly cheap shot from him if he returns to any play at all im sure it will not be the last
Sherry
Jan 18, 05:29 PM
I don’t know anything about Canadian laws, but if they do press criminal charges, perhaps part of the sentence (if he were found guilty of assault) could include banning him from playing professional sports in Canada. This might, in effect, make NHL teams look twice before signing him. It’s highly unlikely the NHL would ban him — they didn’t ban Bertuzzi, did they? (for example)
Players making these BLATANT and dangerous hits to the head have to start receiving severe punishment if there’s going to be a chance of them (hits to the head) getting out of the game. Players and teams have to know they will not be allowed to get away with them.
Zach Boslett
Jan 18, 06:49 PM
@ppirilla unfortunately, I think you are right. The NHL has a policy where past incidents in other leagues cannot be factored into decisions. It is up to the Devils to do something about it because the NHL cannot I do not think.
Say some guy took off his skate and stabbed someone with it in some high school game in Finland… the NHL can’t say he did that in Finland so he is banned from playing here.
It looks like this joke may be in the NHL someday. Let’s just hope he can fix whatever has snapped in his brain.
Canadian media is saying that they have no clue why he has started head hunting because before a month ago he was known as a hard hitting player but not a dirty one and certainly not a sociopath.
Anyone out there a psychologist???
Van_Hans
Jan 19, 05:50 AM
I wonder if it is the effect of steroids. When you take steroids, it alters your personality and you become more aggressive or snaps. Just a thought.
Natty Lite
Jan 19, 09:04 AM
“The Great Leader” sees nothing wrong with this. He calls it a hockey thing and nothing more. He doesn’t see the big deal in another team leader like himself being bashed for trying to lead his team.
I’m sure Cormier was just following “The Great Leader’s” example since he is such a great leader and leads by example so that other team leaders can follow his lead to be a great leader like him.
The really sad thing is young kids playing the game see great players like Ovechkin and Richards running guys like Cormier running Tam and assume it is OK because the league does little to punish its “star players”.
The only time guys get any kind of suspension is when they are “repeat offenders” ala Matt Cooke and Jarkko Ruutu, not “repeat offenders” like Mike Richards and Alex Ovechkin.
Natty Lite
Jan 19, 09:08 AM
Sorry, after re-reading that post it’s really incoherent. Hope it makes a little sense.
It’s early.
nick
Jan 19, 09:12 AM
That was pretty rough to watch, sure hope that kid is ok. Its only a matter of time before Ovechkin does this to someone. This is where the instigator penalty is such a joke. No one is afraid to do this kind of thing, because they have no fear of a goon pounding there face in.
Mike
Jan 19, 09:30 AM
I’m not sure what the hit Cormier laid out has to do with the naming of Team Canada’s captain for the WJC – a lot of great players have done a lot of dumb things on and off over the years…I don’t think Hockey Canada has a crystal ball. Maybe if the same outrage had come pouring out over the elbow against team Sweden it would have been more timely, but there was still a chance he could help the Canadians win another gold, so swept under the rug.
Regarding the hit – it was terrible and has no place in hockey. I hope his junior career is over due to the idiocy of his actions.
Bob
Jan 19, 09:51 AM
After seeing the two incidents from the World Juniors, and now this most recent vicious elbow, he should be criminally charged and banned from the NHL. I don’t care what talent he has, there is something mentally wrong with him if he thinks that’s an acceptable way to play hockey. And shame on Canada for having him as our Captain.
DaBich
Jan 19, 01:51 PM
Natty, actually I thought you made perfect sense.
Mike ~ the hit has everything to do with it if the Captain is this Cormier. he has no place in organized hockey if he thinks this is acceptable behavior.
d zal
Jan 19, 04:47 PM
Drug and Psych Testing for life.
Patrice Cormier? Just a freak of the game that should never have represented Canada. This was not an isolated act. The guy is a serial offender and should have been suspended in the world juniors. Maybe, just maybe, Team Canada would have won if the concept of integrity was a cornerstone of the team bench. Any coach that puts this bully on the ice has to share some of the responsibility. What would he do to get and edge? Could it involve substance abuse? The stuff does provide the platform for the rage we see in his game. Yes! He should be tested! If i ever see this kid on the ice he will get a round of boooooos from everyone I know. You hit to facilitate puck control not to eliminate your competition. Cowards hmm? I pity the New Jersey Devils who wasted a signing bonus. Patrice is all smiles today hmmm. “Gee boss i done good didn’t I. share my money with no-one eh? They gave me a mazda” duh! I hit goood, eh,” quack like a duck. Yup its a duck, no, a devil.
Lets get some integrity back in the Game!!
rob
Jan 19, 09:27 PM
im a canadian and this guy is a real disgrace. if he wants to pull this crap they should throw him in the octagon with a heavyweight and see how many elbows he can throw then
*Edited for content: please refrain from using profanity*J Anderson
Jan 20, 03:36 PM
Patrice is still a kid, an error was made. I am sure Cormier did not want to cause the damage he did. No charges will be filed, but he will be gone for the rest of the season and playoffs.
Alex
Feb 3, 10:39 PM
This guy is a disgrace to hockey. I don’t care if ‘he didn’t intend to do the damage’ and ‘he is still a kid’, my son is 9 and knows better than lifting his elbows on the ice or checking from behind. This are BASIC knowledge rules for all hockey players. How long has he been playing? Unless he is brain damaged and doesn’t get it, there was intent here. Is not the first time, it won’t be the last. He shouldn’t be allowed to play again.
Rene
Feb 5, 10:39 AM
The hit was pure intent to injure and the suspension was deserved, unfortunately he is in his last year of Junior hockey and teh effects of the suspension are somewhat diminished. Now he is traded to Atlanta and like the others on this post I am relatively certain we will see a repeat of this in the NHL. Prior to this I think it is time to implement a rule change where as this previous incident can be used as evidence of prior misconduct. The preferred treatment to the stars referred to earlier is also not new. How many elbows did Scott Stevens throw, resulting in concussions, that were deemed “good hard hits”? The players are get bigger and faster every year and this will get worse before it improves. I love good hard hitting hockey but do not think someone should have to die to prove a point.
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