The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has suspended Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forward Patrice Cormier indefinitely for his hit on Quebec Remparts defenceman Mikael Tam during overtime of Quebec’s 3-2 shootout win on Sunday afternoon.
QMJHL disciplinary Raymond Bolduc confirmed Monday that an announcement on the official length of the suspension will be made once the disciplinary process has been completed.
”It’s a great game and situations like this hurt (it) tremendously,” said Remparts head coach Patrick Roy ”and we don’t need those types of shots.”
Cormier, who was Canada’s captain at the IIHF World Junior Hockey tournament earlier in the month, came off the bench for a line change and hit Tam in the head with an elbow.
Tam, an 18-year-old defenceman with the Remparts, went into convulsions on the ice due to the hit and was immediately taken to a local hospital where he remains as a result of brain trauma.
Remparts spokesperson Nicole Bouchard said that Tam underwent a brain scan after the game and that a second scan on Monday morning showed no deterioration in his condition. Bouchard stated that Tam is expected to be released from hospital on Tuesday.
Cormier was given a major penalty for charging and was ejected from the game.
”One thing I didn’t like was the way he left the ice,” Roy said. ”He didn’t show that he felt sorry for what he did, he was arguing with the referee, and when he was asked to leave the ice, he was looking at our bench.”
Roy explained how it was extremely difficult for his players to continue the game following the hit.
”There were a lot of guys crying on the bench and we had about a minute and 28 seconds left in overtime to play. I don’t think anybody had their mind (in the game).
”I said to the guys, and I felt bad saying it, I said; let’s win this one for him and the guys responded well.”
Quebec provincial police questioned witnesses at the rink after the game. Police spokesman Marie-Josee Ouellet said the incident is under investigation to see if there are grounds for criminal charges.
The 19-year old Cormier is no stranger to controversy. In an exhibition game prior to the World Junior tournament, the second round draft choice of the New Jersey Devils in 2008 nailed Sweden’s Anton Rodin with an elbow to the head.
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!!