Desbiens suspended for four games

Press Release

The Director of Player Safety of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Raymond Bolduc, today suspended Simon Desbiens of the Sherbrooke Phoenix for 4 games (1 automatic and 3 imposed by the League). The suspension was handed out following an incident that occurred on January 31, against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

Here is the rationale that led to the decision:

The player at fault and his opponent were skating at a high speed along the boards in the neutral zone.
The puck was directed towards the left corner of Sherbrooke’s zone.
The opponent headed quickly to retrieve it and the player at fault followed.
His opponent turned towards the boards to retrieve the puck.
The player at fault pushed his opponents back.
The opponent fell heavily into the boards.
Both players were speeding.
His opponent was in a vulnerable position even though he was turned in order to retrieve the puck.
The player at fault never slowed down.
He pushed with force his opponent’s back.
His opponent was thrown heavily into boards.
The player at fault made no effort to minimize the force of the impact.
It wasn't the first offense for the player at fault.
His opponent was not injured on the play.

The Director of Player Safety took this decision after having viewed videos of the incident, considered the officials report, spoken to the players and organizations involved and after consulting the Advisory Committee for disciplinary action.

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