This week, in lieu of completing a radio assignment, I did the sports news for 92.9 KICK-FM. One of the biggest stories of the week was New Jersey Devil's draft pick Patrice Cormier's suspension from the QMJHL for the nasty elbow he gave Mikael Tam of the Quebec Remparts.
Tam was left convulsing on the ice and was in the hospital for a few days with a bad concussion and missing teeth.
In case you haven't seen it, here's the hit (the announcer is French, but the video speaks for itself).
On Monday morning, it was announced that Cormier, who captained Team Canada at the World Juniors earlier this month, has been suspended for the rest of the QMJHL season, including playoffs.
Conflicting opinions flooded in following the suspension. Some think it was too severe, and that the league is using Cormier's high profile to send a message. Others think the league's tough penalty sends a good message to young players: no matter how good you are, you aren't above the law. Others have argued that Cormier should never play again.
Regardless of his intent (Cormier said the elbow was a reaction), it is an unfortunate situation for Cormier. The 19-year-old could miss up to 48 games, depending on the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies' playoff run. Furthermore, he has developed the reputation of a goon (some will remember another elbow he threw at Swedish player Anton Rodin during World Junior round robin play), not a reputation that a skilled player needs heading into the NHL.
But seeing Tam convulsing on the ice leaves a pit in your stomach, and is a harsh reality check. These unnecessary injuries have no place in the game. We'll have to see whether Cormier's suspension sends a message, or whether junior hockey leagues need to find another way to tell players to play with respect.
Cormier should be suspended for as long as it takes for Tam to come back and play again or a calendar year. Whichever comes first.
ReplyDeleteDisgraceful hit.