QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau caused a stir on Sunday when he changed tack and tendered his resignation following disputed testimony last week in connection with the violent initiation cases in the junior hockey. While some parliamentarians wish to be able to question him a second time, not everyone agrees on the relevance of summoning him again.
In a letter published on his social networks, Mr. Courteau indicates that his resignation is effective immediately. It is the assistant commissioner, Martin Lavallée, who will act as interim until the successor is announced. According to the daily The sunit is the current interim president of the Alouettes, Mario Cecchini, who will take over.
This decision by Mr. Courteau comes in the wake of stories of violent initiations within the three different Canadian junior leagues.
“Although it is not an easy decision to make, it is necessary, writes the 65-year-old man. In addition, recent events have taken on such proportions that my family members have suffered. To persist would have been stubbornness. »
PHOTO RYAN REMIORZ, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Mario Cecchini, the successor to Gilles Courteau at the head of the QMJHL
“I would like my withdrawal to be understood by all the actors concerned, parents, players, coaches, owners, amateurs, as the beginning of a turn, another turn. Because we have come a long way in 37 years. Of that I am proud. »
“Throughout these years, I have acted as a good father, to help the players live their passion as an athlete to the full and prepare them for a fulfilling civic life,” he continues. My journey has not been without faults, but it has been guided by the desire to give the best of myself to young people. »
“The love of hockey is born at home, grows with the coaches, ignites with the cries of the spectators. The team becomes the center. It’s strong. It’s beautiful. But there are still risks of harmful practices. Let’s make sure there are no more, neither in hockey nor in other competitive sports. Let’s take the necessary steps for the good of our young people and the beauty of sport. »
Reactions to Quebec
In recent weeks, the commissioner has denied in parliamentary committee that a case of violent initiation could have occurred within his circuit. However, according to the class action lawsuit filed in Ontario, the player Stephen Quirk alleges that he was the victim of sexual abuse between 1995 and 1998.
Confronted by The Press, Mr. Courteau then confessed his mistake. Shortly after his testimony, The Press also revealed that Mr. Courteau had nevertheless admitted under oath in 2021 to having noted “problems” related to hazing in the LHMJQ.
Last week, the Minister responsible for Sport, Isabelle Charest, asked that Mr. Courteau be recalled before parliamentarians, a position supported by the Prime Minister, François Legault, who wanted to hear the Commissioner’s version again. The latter then claimed to have “no problem” in coming back to explain himself again. He had swept aside the calls to resign launched in particular by the ex-hockey player and liberal deputy Enrico Ciccone and the solidarity deputy Vincent Marissal.
“As we speak, we are doing an excellent job, while realizing that we still have work to do to ensure that we are the best junior league in the world, with the best coaching program that exists, and that, I contributed to it and I will continue to contribute to it until May 31, 2024, I’ll pass you a paper, ”he pleaded.
On Sunday, the Minister responsible for Sport, Isabelle Charest, announced that she took note of the resignation of the commissioner of the QMJHL.
“We intend to work closely with his successor to ensure that the development of our young people takes place in a healthy and safe environment,” she said in a statement sent by her cabinet.
She considers “always quite relevant” to hear Gilles Courteau again in a parliamentary committee “given the recent revelations that have appeared in the media”. However, she leaves it to the members of the commission to decide what to do next.
“More questions for him”
However, they are not on the same wavelength with regard to the need to reconvene the resigning commissioner.
The commission “is not a court,” said Quebec Liberal Party spokesperson for sports, Enrico Ciccone. The latter insists instead on hearing from other sports organizations in connection with the phenomenon of violent initiations, some cases of which have been reported in the media, in order to better understand the phenomenon, not just in the world of junior hockey.
As for the resignation of Gilles Courteau, Enrico Ciccone believes that “it was the right thing to do”. “We had to turn the page quickly because it’s not only Mr. Courteau, but the whole QMJHL who took a solid slap from it,” he added, emphasizing “that he didn’t did nothing but harm during his career”.
“It had become very clear after his passage in the parliamentary committee that Gilles Courteau no longer had the legitimacy or the room for maneuver to remain in office. I salute his decision to pass the torch immediately, ”said Québec solidaire spokesperson for sports, Vincent Marissal.
The latter insists on continuing the work of the parliamentary commission in order to “find solutions to protect the integrity of young people who practice sports in Quebec”.
“However, we would like [que Gilles Courteau] be present in the parliamentary committee. We still have questions for him, ”said Parti Québécois sports spokesperson Pascal Bérubé.
A “dedicated” man for his league
The news shook the world of Quebec hockey on Sunday evening. Reached by phone by The Pressthe general manager of the Shawinigan Cataractes for 16 years, Martin Mondou, said he was “sad” to see Mr. Courteau leave “in a context like that”.
“When fiction is told about our league, it gets annoying. Gilles had already announced his retirement plans. I think he gave back a lot to the League. Having spent the last 16 years in the League, I can see how much it has grown, how much it has matured. »
“People who will write that it was time, for me, it is hurtful. He gave a lot. […] If there is one who wanted his league to take one steps forward, it’s him. »
Philippe Boucher, who spent 11 years as general manager in the QMJHL between 2011 and 2023, said he “respected and understood” Mr. Courteau’s decision. “I knew him as a player and as a manager. I wish him a happy retirement. I will remember him as a dedicated man for his league. He has done great things. »
Hockey Quebec, for its part, indicated that it would not comment on Mr. Courteau’s decision.