Henley suspended 7 games

Boucherville, Saturday December 16, 2017 – The Director of Player Safety of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Raymond Bolduc, suspended David Henley of the Val-d’Or Foreurs for 7 games. The suspension was handed out following an incident that occurred on December 14th against the Québec Remparts.

Here is the rationale that led to the decision:

• The puck was dumped the puck in the corner of Val-d’Or’s zone.
• The opponent left the blue line and went to get it near the boards.
• The player at fault was at the top of the slot, took two strides and headed for the puck.
• The opponent arrived first to recover it.
• The player at fault glided and finished his check in the back of the opponent.
• The opponent, while recovering the puck, was in a vulnerable position facing the boards and two to three feet from them.
• The player at fault, even if he did not have speed, hit the opponent hard in the back.
• The latter could not protect himself and hit the boards violently and his head made contact with the glass.
• The player at fault made no effort to avoid or minimize contact with the opponent.
• This is not the first offense of the player at fault.
• The opponent was 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.