Friday, May 31, 2013

Ryan Tesink Case

Press Release

The Commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Gilles Courteau, rendered his decision today in the Ryan Tesink case.

The player in question was under the obligation, starting January 16, 2013, to stop playing for a period of two and a half (2 ½) months, depriving the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of his contribution, considered important, for a very large part of the second half of the season, even though he returned to action afterwards.

Sea Dogs’ General Manager, Mike Kelly, relied on the reports and opinions that were given to him by specialists, when he signed, what we believe to be in good faith, the trade declaration on January 2, 2013.

To this point, the undersigned is of the opinion that the Saint John Sea Dogs’ integrity cannot be questioned.

It is however true that the form “Declaration for trade purposes” might leave room for interpretation and should, in the opinion of the Commissioner, be the object of a revision and even eventually bring the League to introduce a new by-law provision specifically pertaining to the obligation of disclosure.

The League shall re-evaluate its rules to avoid, similar situations from reoccurring, and, if need be, have an otherwise applicable mechanism.

Circumstances of the present case are exceptional and even constitute a first for the QMJHL.

This particular situation requires, according to the Commissioner, that a just and fair compensation be awarded to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

After analysis of all the facts and submitted evidence, the QMJHL’s Commissioner has concluded the following:

The trade that took place on January 2, 2013 between the Saint John Sea Dogs and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada remains in effect, so that the rights to player Ryan Tesink still belong to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and that the Saint John Sea Dogs keep the first (1st) round draft pick (3rd ranked choice) received in this trade;

The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada receives, as compensation for the herein-above mentioned reasons, a first (1st) round draft pick (5th rank choice added by the League), at the QMJHL annual draft to be held in June 2014, subject to the following;

In the event that the rights to player Ryan Tesink traded or transferred, the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada will then receive, instead of a fifth (5th) rank choice in the first (1st) round of the annual draft, an additional nineteenth (19th) rank choice added by the League, after the end of the first round of selection but before the beginning of the second (2nd) round of said annual draft of June 2014.

The commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Gilles Courteau, will make no other comments about this case.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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