The Canadiens players were still on the ice at Brossard’s sports complex when the news of the day broke: the resignations of Hockey Canada’s board of directors, led by their chairman, Scott Smith.
• Also read: Block resignations at Hockey Canada
• Also read: Hockey Quebec wants to be part of the solution
From the mouth of the reporters, therefore, upon their return to the dressing room, they were alerted to the latest developments in this saga. Obviously we’re a long way from the end of this story.
But after the pressure from the national associations and above all from the main sponsors, this part of the soap opera finally came to an end.
Photo Martin Chevalier
Defenseman David Savard didn’t mince his words after several retirements from Hockey Canada.
“To take responsibility”
“As a player who has represented Canada, I find it disappointing to see the circumstances surrounding events,” said Canada head coach Martin St-Louis. As with anything you have to take responsibility, they did that today [mardi]. »
TRUE ! But we had to feel that there would be financial deficits to be able to react. Even the tirades of Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sports, had failed to bring the great machine down.
“What happened was unacceptable. Some people made bad decisions, David Savard pounded. It was a difficult situation for Hockey Canada. They should have been stricter and not allowed such things in their organization. »
Photo agency QMI, Joël Lemay
Bad image for hockey
By trying to sweep stories under the rug and defend their positions tooth and nail, Hockey Canada’s top executives have shown they don’t care about the victims of the alleged assaults.
They have also shown that they value their prestige more than the health and integrity of the sport, which they are said to value so much.
Because ice hockey has been dragged through the dirt for several weeks. He is said to be plagued by a toxic culture and masculinity.
“It’s unfortunate because the actions of a small group of individuals reflect back on each of us,” said Jake Allen. Ice hockey has a lot more good than bad. » »
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“It’s a bit like the image of society. Nowadays, the negative side of things comes out much more easily than the positive side, said the goalkeeper, who represented the nation on the international stage three times. Everyone should be responsible for their actions. And that doesn’t just apply to ice hockey. It’s in life in general. »