Patrice Cormier Charged With Assault

According to reports, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League forward Patrice Cormier has been charged with assault causing injury.

The incident occurred this past January when Cormier blindsided Quebec Remparts defenceman Mikael Tam with a vicious blow to the head.

Cormier came off the bench and made a bee-line for Tam and caught him in a vulnerable position with his elbow.

Tam began to convulse on the ice, and was stretchered off.  It was later learned that Tam suffered brain trauma and lost several teeth.

Not surprisingly, Cormier was assessed a season long suspension, one that was sustained for the entire playoffs.

According to the Canadian Press, Cormier is slated to appear in court July 12.  If convicted, he will face a maximum of 18 months in jail.

This is surely going to bring up the argument of “what happens on the ice, stays on the ice” as this is the second incident in the past three season where a player has been charged with assault.

Jonathan Roy, son of Patrick Roy, was given an unconditional discharge after pleading guilty to an assault charge after an altercation on the ice in 2008.

While it remains an open case, sources close to the situation believe that Cormier will go the same route as Roy, plead guilty, and receive an unconditional discharge.