Although he describes the acts that occurred during initiations into Canadian junior hockey as unacceptable, former National Hockey League defender Patrice Brisebois considers that the commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (LHJMQ) , Gilles Courteau, served as a scapegoat, because there are initiations in fields other than hockey.
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“I want to be clear. What happened to young people is unacceptable. When I learned that, I was completely flabbergasted. I wondered where was the limit of young people. I can’t believe we’ve come to this point. There is a way of saying that we want to be part of a team, but when it becomes extreme like that, that is what is not correct, ”he mentioned at the microphone of Benoît Dutrizac at QUB radio Monday noon.
Along the same lines, the former Blade actor mentioned that his two daughters go to McGill University and there are initiations there as well. “For a week they party. It’s not just in sports.” In addition, he would have liked to hear Isabelle Charest, because he believes that there were probably initiations when she was speed skating.
“Right now, it’s good to talk about Gilles Courteau because it’s hockey, a hot topic and our national sport. Gilles Courteau is the scapegoat and that is what is not correct,” he claimed.
When he thinks of Gilles Courteau, the 1993 Stanley Cup winner with the Montreal Canadiens, he is referring to a man of integrity who gave his life to the QMJHL. According to him, he did an extraordinary job.
“I find it sad. People will remember that he quit because of the hockey initiations. It’s not correct. This man gave it his all. He mortgaged his family and he worked hours and hours to bring this league to the top.
A remarkable initiation
When he played in the QMJHL at the age of 16, Mr. Brisebois was initiated. However, it hasn’t been as severe as reported stories for the past few weeks.
“You are a little naive at 16 and you want to be part of the group. For my part, I was written Bobby Orr superstar in the forehead. It took a week for it to go away. They cut my hair and I went to the bus toilets with other guys. There was nothing sexual, but I was marked by it. Today, I am extremely claustrophobic,” he confessed.
By way of conclusion, Mr. Brisebois mentioned that he welcomes the appointment of Mario Cecchini.