The QMJHL Board of Governors met recently to discuss their league’s fighting rules in the wake of the Jonathan Roy brawl. The committee, co-chaired by Danielle Sauvageau and Jacques Letellier, came up with a number of recommendations.
– A plan to communicate the rules clearly and sanctions for brawling and other acts of violence to all players, coaches and teams, as well as an anti-violence awareness campaign.
– Hiring resource people or counsellors that players, coaches and officials can turn to confidentially on questions of violence, harassment, intimidation or other issues.
– That two referees be used in all games, that a supervisor of officials attend all games and better training be provided for officials.
– Penalties for abusive talk on the ice, particularly during stoppages in play, and a ban on anyone other than a team captain or coach from talking to officials.
Interestingly, Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note points out that the WHL has had some of these rules in place for some time.
