QMJHL in mourning following passing of hockey legend

Press Release

QUEBEC, Tuesday, June 15, 2010 – The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is in mourning today following the passing of Paul Cazeau, Consultant to the QMJHL Director of Officiating. Considered by his peers as an officiating legend in the Province of Quebec, he was a key figure in the evolution of the craft over the past five decades.

Paul Cazeau fulfilled several roles at the QMJHL over a lengthy career, acting as Vice-President and Assistant Administrative Director, but his true love was officiating. He coordinated the work schedule of League officials for over forty years.

"We lost a cherished individual today," shared the Commissioner of the QMJHL, Gilles Courteau. "Paul Cazeau was a key figure in the evolution of officiating in the Province of Quebec. He will be greatly missed, but his accomplishments will live on forever."

In 1999, the Paul-Cazeau award was created by Hockey Quebec to honour officials who volunteer their time to grow the game of hockey. Paul Cazeau dedicated more than 50 years of his life to hockey and officiating. In 2007, he was enshrined into the Quebec Hockey Hall of Fame along with Gaston Bidégaré, Camille Brind'Amour, Jean-Louis Létourneau, René Marcil and Yvon Pruneau.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and its member franchises extend their deepest condolences to the Cazeau family.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)