Mario Cecchini loves a challenge. He accepted several during his career. He will serve well as commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (LHJMQ).
Whoever was president of the Alouettes until recently will have the difficult task of replacing Gilles Courteau, who spent 37 years in the position. Everything was confirmed during a press conference at a Montreal hotel.
Cecchini will take office on May 8th. Before that, he must complete the transfer of his current files to the Alouettes with his successor. His tenure at the CFL ends on April 6th.
He will take a few weeks off before embarking on his new challenge at the top of Quebec junior hockey. He will need rest to face the challenges that await him.
Last month, the QMJHL and Gilles Courteau were thrown into turmoil with the humiliating initiations of recent decades and the abolition of fighting.
Cecchini wants to initiate a cultural change at these levels.
“We can do it with a lot of determination and a lot of conviction,” said the next commissioner. There must also be precision and clarity in directing the behaviors we expect everyone to do.
“For me, that will be of the utmost importance.”
zero tolerance
His first great act will be that of initiations. Cecchini may have to deal with humiliating events from the past. From what we’ve learned over the past few weeks, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Former commissioner Gilles Courteau mentioned several times that he was unaware of the type of initiations that were taking place on his teams. On the other hand, complaints rarely went to his office and there was an omerta among the players.
Its successor now asks players to go denounce if they participate in parties that have no business.
“Since the parliamentary commission, all members have been informed and a letter has been sent to all players,” said the President of the General Assembly, Richard Létourneau. General managers, coaches and players were all hit.
“They are part of the solution and we want to do everything we can to allow players who feel unfairly treated to speak out or confide. There will be a completely separate treatment of the league.
Since 2019 all players have to sign a code of ethics. In this there is a special point on initiations.
“This is zero tolerance,” Cecchini added after Mr Létourneau’s remarks.
Brawls: speed dating
In recent weeks, the QMJHL board passed a motion to eliminate fighting in games altogether.
Cecchini wants to finalize the file in the first days of his tenure. A summit meeting with Sports Minister Isabelle Charest is also planned for the end of the month.
“The minister came to an Alouettes game in May 2020 and we had the opportunity to talk a little,” said Cecchini. We have no point of contention.
“As for the battle file, I don’t think we’re that far from an agreement. We are in mechanics. I assume Mrs Charest wants to sort everything out and move on.
“I have no interest in arguing with politics.”
Cecchini will not be able to do everything alone. He will have to play the role of mediator and unifier in the discussions. He has proven many times in the past that he can play these roles.
This will be a great opportunity for him to lay the groundwork for his vision for the future of his league.