The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced Monday it has suspended Patrice Cormier for the rest of the regular season, as well as the playoffs, after a vicious hit he delivered during a game sent an opposing player to hospital with brain trauma.
Cormier hasn't played since Jan.17, when he came off the bench during a game between his Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Quebec Remparts and viciously elbowed defenceman Mikael Tam in the neutral zone.
Tam, 18, fell to the ice and began convulsing and was immediately taken off the ice by the team's medical staff. He spent two days in hospital with brain trauma and several broken teeth.
A video of the hit was shown on newscasts and sports highlights shows across Canada, sparking outrage among fans and hockey insiders alike.
Cormier was suspended indefinitely by the QMJHL pending an investigation by its head disciplinarian, Raymond Bolduc.
Cormier said in his first interview since the hit that he unsuccessfully tried to call Tam after the incident.
"I never intended to hurt anyone," he said in French.
On Monday, Bolduc called the hit "dangerous and intolerable" during a news conference to announce Cormier's fate. Cormier has five days to appeal the ruling.
Earlier this month Cormier, 19, served as captain of the Canadian team at the world junior championship, where he became known for his physical play. During a tournament exhibition game in late December, 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. He will be eligible to return to junior next year.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said the team would respect the ruling.
"We will honour the league's suspension, have not considered, and will not explore other avenues for his return this season," Lamoriello said in a statement. "We are pleased to hear Mikael Tam is doing well. Our thoughts are with him for a full recovery."
But the GM made clear the incident will not hurt his position in the organization’s long-term plans.
"This unfortunate incident does not reflect the character of the Patrice Cormier we know," Lamoriello said. "We trust that Patrice will have learned a valuable lesson that will serve him well when he returns to hockey as a valued player in our organization."
Cormier's punishment is the third long-term suspension handed down in major junior hockey this season.
Last week, the Ontario Hockey League suspended Windsor Spitfires forward Zack Kassian for 20 games for a hit he levelled against Matt Kennedy of the Barrie Colts.
Last fall, the OHL told Erie Otters forward Michael Liambas that he would be sitting out the regular season and the playoffs for a hit from behind on Kitchener's Ben Fanelli.
