After reading and hearing the horror stories that have happened in junior hockey in Canada, I naturally think of the victims, but I would also like to add that the guilty are answering for their actions.
An investigation is ongoing and we are still awaiting the results, particularly in the case of a gang rape allegedly committed by youth national team players in 2018. I would like to know who the attackers are and they have to pay for what they did.
It is said that some members of this formation would develop in the National League today. Will Commissioner Gary Bettman dare to act? Consequences are required, regardless of their star status.
Will there be fees? beliefs? It’s time to find out what happened and who is to blame, whether it’s the players or the adults who have turned a blind eye to criminal acts. You don’t have to go any further. Light must fall and attacks must not go unpunished.
Nothing important at the Draveurs
The initiations are no better. It’s frightening what came of it
this week.
When I was the coach of the Draveurs de Trois-Rivières in the 1970s, I personally did not witness any atrocities, although that period was very tough in the QMJHL. Mike Bossy said it often: It was one of the toughest tracks.
If I had heard of failed initiations, I would have intervened, that’s clear. So what we read this week scared me.
During my time in Trois-Rivières, the veterans cut the recruits’ hair as a welcome.
I remember one of my captains had his head shaved in his freshman season and he completed that ritual when he got the letter C on his shirt.
Unfortunately, it’s hurting junior hockey across the country. But they are above all developmental leagues and beautiful schools of life. We must not lump everyone together, but what is certain is that those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.
I am convinced that people are now aware and the abscess has burst. It mustn’t happen again. Those dark years will not return.
Overpriced restaurants
Even in the NHL, I think it’s overkill for rookies to have to pay for the whole team’s meals at the restaurant. It sometimes costs $20,000 including $2,000 bottles of wine! Often the newcomers do not have this money. It has to stop because there is abuse.
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rob Brind’Amour once said that as the club’s captain, he helped two rookies and received an astronomical bill.
Six Quebecers
I would like to end my column on a more positive note. There have been six Quebecers in uniform with the Canadiens in the last few games and I’m delighted. It’s been ages since we saw that.
Two years ago, the Habs even played a game without a hockey player from here…
A true big brother for young strikers, Alex Belzile and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard – who continues to score seven goals and nine points in 11 games – have joined the likes of Jonathan Drouin, David Savard, Mike Matheson and Samuel Montembeault.
Can we connect to the fine CH side who signed three straight wins before bowing with honor to the Hurricanes on Thursday? Martin St-Louis’ side play with intensity and pride even if they are ruled out of the playoffs.
Additionally, at the end of Tuesday’s win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Drouin, Savard and Matheson were named the three stars of the meeting.
Three Quebec players from CH! It was a premiere since October 23, 2003. Twenty years! At that time, José Théodore, Yanic Perreault and Mike Ribeiro were honored.
– Interview by Mylene Richard
Echoes of Bergie
Does he like to play?
Despite a great collective performance on Thursday, I cannot ignore Chris Wideman’s sad performance. The defender was on the ice for five Carolina goals. He showed complete disinterest. He’s probably on his last miles in the NHL. I don’t think Kent Hughes will be able to trade it until the March 3rd close. It remains to be seen if the CH general manager will find takers for Joel Edmundson, Mike Hoffman, Evgenii Dadonov, Jonathan Drouin or even Sean Monahan when he returns to the game anytime soon.
A return to the pee-wee tournament
I’m really excited to be attending the Quebec International Pee-wee Hockey Tournament this weekend, especially after reading the great stories from our colleague Jessica Lapinski in the pages of the journal. When I ran the Nordiques I went there with GM Maurice Filion. We ate hot dogs and sat in the stands talking to people and having a great time. I can’t wait to experience that again.
The loss of Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin returned to Russia with his family to be at the bedside of his father Mikhail, who died on Wednesday at the age of 71. The Capitals have announced that their captain will be out indefinitely, which could hurt the Washington team badly. It has lost its last three games and is fighting for a place in the playoffs. At the start of yesterday’s games, the Capitals were a point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had four games left. The Florida Panthers, the New York Islanders, the Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabers are also among them.
