QMJHL Season Already Marred by Late Hits

Anthony Verret (20). Richard LaFortune

QMJHL Season Already Marred by Late Hits

Sep 14, 2011 3:05 PM Chris Phillips

The 2010-11 QMJHL season was marred by a series of questionable, late hits that left players suffering concussion.

Nothing seems to have been learned. The opening weekend of the 2011-12 season saw more checks from behind and hits to the head.

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies center Anthony Verret was left with a quadruple fracture to his face and damge to his ocular nerve after a hit from Gatineau Olympiques defenseman Guillaume Rousseau. No penalty was called.

Thankfully, Verret has undergone sucessful surgery and hopefully the 18-year old makes a full recovery to return to the Huskies line-up sooner than later. The QMJHL is currently reviewing the hit following a complaint from Huskies GM and head coach Andre Tourigny.

Rousseau's Olympiques' teammate Jacob Conrad was suspended two games for a hit from behind against Val-d'Or Foreurs and Victoriaville's Simon Darveau received one game for another hit from behind.

QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau has been talking recently about removing fighting from the league, but before they even consider that they need to do something to curb a much bigger problem.

Comments

Tom, Don't know how you can call the first hit legitimate. Rousseau basically took a swing at the Verret's head. Hard to tell what caught him from that video but you have to be able to see his arm come up very quickly with no intention other than to take the skater out. A clear penalty and reason for him to get suspended. Shannie is getting it right in the Bigs. Shelley out until the 6th regular season game. He means business!
Posted by wa_state on 2011-09-23 00:16:57 I appall hits from behind, as I think that they are the single most dangerous and cowardly thing one can do in hockey. HOWEVER, I have to admit that I am shocked with how poorly players protect themselves in a contact sport. It is a very distinct trend in the last 5 or so years to see a hit coming and turn INTO the boards!! Either you are trying to avoid the hit (poorly) or draw a penalty (in which case I feel no sympathy). The fist hit was barely a penalty, and the refs got it right. The second hit, though ending from behind, started while Conrad was staring straight at the other player's chest. After 2 strides (not charging) he engages the hit as the "victim" peeks at Conrad and turns into the boards. WHY????? The man has already committed to hitting you and you saw it coming. DONT TURN!! Bottom line, Conrad never saw his nameplate or number... hard to get too angry over it.
Posted by Tom on 2011-09-15 15:23:32 Looks like the QMJHL has alot more to worry about than fighting. What a couple of classless players can do to a league. ugh.
Posted by Jordan on 2011-09-14 17:09:24 It was interference but the kid needs to do a better job of protecting himself, IMHO.
Posted by Matt Hopkins on 2011-09-14 16:46:05 The most irritating announcers to hear.
Posted by Ryan A. Hart on 2011-09-14 15:57:56

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