Boucherville, Tuesday October 17, 2017 – The Director of Player Safety of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Raymond Bolduc, suspended Charlie Roy of the Shawinigan Cataractes for 15 games. The suspension was handed out following an incident that occurred on October 14th against the Victoriaville Tigres.

Here is the rationale that led to the decision:

Upon entering the opposing zone, the opponent went towards the player at fault, received a push in the back and fell on the defensemen.

Lying on his back and defenseless, the opponent put a hand to the player at fault’s face.

Leaning on the opponent, the player at fault gave a first punch that caused the opponent to lose his helmet and a second one directly to the face.

The punch, with the glove, started high and struck with great force the opponent’s face.

The opponent tried to protect himself by raising and turning his head.

The head struck the ice surface violently.

The gesture was free, violent and devastating.

At no time can the League tolerate this kind of gesture.

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.