For some reason, individuals' respect for other players on the ice is disappearing and that was clearly evident when Patrice Cormier of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL laid a vicious open-ice elbow on Quebec Remparts forward Mikael Tam, sending Tam into convulsions on the ice. Tam was rushed to a local hospital with brain trauma and broken teeth.
Tam has since been released from the hospital and has begun what will likely be a long road to recovery. There is a chance he may not play again. At the very least, it's conceivable that he won't be able to play at a high enough level to be drafted by an NHL team, as Cormier was by the New Jersey Devils back in 2008.
On Oct. 27, 2007, Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron's career almost came to an abrupt end as he was hit from behind by then-Flyers defenseman Randy Jones, suffering a grade-3 concussion and subsequently missing the rest of the 2007-08 season. Bergeron was able to fight his way back and is leading the Bruins in scoring this season. But not everyone is — or will be — so lucky.
"It was an elbow, plain and simple," Bergeron said. "There's not much I can say about that hit except that there is no need for that in the game. But that's what I said in my press conference when I was hurt, I'm sure [Cormier] is regretting it now, but [you have to] think about the consequences before you go and hit someone like that and you hurt someone on the ice. I'm sure he feels bad, but now it's too late.
"We need to respect each other on the ice. That's it, plain and simple," Bergeron said. "I'm not saying don't hit, but that's an elbow, plain and simple. It seems like he targeted him. I don't know. Only he knows [his] intentions, but it's just too bad."
Bruins veteran Mark Recchi is part-owner of a major junior club, the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, and he is increasingly shocked at the lack of respect from juniors and even younger players filtering into the NHL.
"It's scary," Recchi said. "There's no need for that. [Cormier] should not be allowed to play another junior game. He targeted him. There's no need for that. I just don't get this and why it keeps happening."
Cormier has been suspended indefinitely by the QMJHL and will learn his fate from the league on Monday. But it is clear that this is a growing and frightening trend in hockey at all levels that is not going away. Perhaps a severe punishment will be a first step toward curbing it.
