Patrice Cormier Suspended For The Rest Of The Season Including Playoffs

The QMJHL have made their decision about the fate of Patrice Cormier and for Cormier the decision is not good. Here is what Disciplinary Prefect, Raymond Bolduc had to say on the situation:

"At the very start of the process, I read on-ice officials’ report. Then, I met with the Quebec Remparts, Mikael Tam, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Patrice Cormier and consulted the Disciplinary Committee before going over the facts and making my decision. The player’s gesture dangerous and intolerable. Our ultimate responsibility must be the safety of our players. It is our number one priority. Consequently, I have decided to suspend Patrice Cormier for the remainder of the QMJHL regular season and playoffs."

Cormier will sit until the Huskies are eliminated in the playoffs. While he has other chances to play in leagues that are not sanctioned by Hockey Canada, most likely every other league will uphold the suspension. The New Jersey Devils, Cormier's rightsholders, have said this about the situation:

"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 team release. "We are pleased to hear Mikael Tam is doing well. Our thoughts are with him for a full recovery."

Lamoriello said the Devils organization does not condone Cormier's actions but also defended the player they picked 54th overall back in 2008.

"This unfortunate incident does not reflect the character of the Patrice Cormier we know," added Lamoriello. "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."