Element suspended 6 games
Boucherville, Saturday January 28th, 2017 – The Director of Player Safety of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Raymond Bolduc, suspended Shawn Element of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar for 6 games. The suspension was handed out following an incident that occurred on January 27th against the Rimouski Océanic.
Here is the rationale that led to the decision:
- A Rimouski player entered the opposing zone with the puck along the left boards in a three-on-two situation.
- He made a pass to a teammate in the slot.
- The latter received the pass a little behind him and took a shot on net.
- The player at fault came from the bench on a change and was back checking.
- He hit the opponent as he took his shot.
- The opponent’s head turned from back to front as he retrieved the puck and took the shot on net.
- He could not see the player at fault coming.
- The player at fault, arriving from the bench and late on the play, had speed.
- He hit the opponent with his shoulder from the blindside.
- The head was the main point of contact.
- This was a dangerous move.
- The player at fault made no effort to minimize the impact.
- The opponent was not injured on the play.
- This is the first offense of the player at fault.
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.