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anctions Confirmed by AUAA

by Amy Gallan

As most know, on February 14, 1996, certain members of the University of Moncton Blue Eagles hockey team were involved ina violent incident against referee Brian Carragher. After this incident, a Referee's Report was completed which assessed penalties against Peter Belliveau; who received a five game suspension, Pierre Gagnon; who received a two year suspension, Mathieu Bibeau and Frantz Bergevin- Jean; who each received five year suspensions commencing February 24, 1996.

In addition to the Referee's Report, a formal complaint was filed by UPEI against certain members of the Moncton Blue Eagles on March 1, 1996. This complaint has also been processed by the Atlantic Universities Athletic _ Association, and sanctions have been imposed by Don Wells as Hockey Chairperson.

Article 1 of the Code of Ethics of the AUAA states "Student-Athletes must share responsibility for the orderly conduct of contest by: a) acknowledging the authority of the officials appointed for a contest and treating their decisions with respect; and b) Exercising self- control throughout contests, so as to avoid inciting fellow players or specta- tors to unacceptable conduct and by showing proper respect for opponents."

Six people have been sanctioned, based on UPEI's complaint. The first is Pierre Gagnon who was found to have breached the Code of Ethics by making physical contact with Carragher, by failing to treat his decision with respect and by failing to exercise self-control and thereby inciting his fellow players to unacceptable conduct. The sanction of a two year suspension which had been imposed was confirmed.

The next was Mathieu Bibeau who was found to have breached the Code of Conduct by making physical contact with Referee Brian Carragher, by punching him in the mouth. The suspension of five years which had been imposed was confirmed. Sylvain Ducharme was found to have breached the Code of Ethics by punching or attempting to punch the referee on at least three occasions. These violations

constituted a severe breach of the Code of Ethics and were considered detrimen- tal to the sport and contrary to the objectives of inter-university sport. He was suspended for a five year period commencing February 24, 1996.

Phillipe Lavoie was found to have breach the playing rules and the Code of Ethics of the AUAA by using his hockey stick to attempt to make contact or to strike the referee. His intention to contact or strike Carragher is clear. It is a breach of the playing rules and of the Code of Ethics to make violent contact, or to attempt to make violent contact against a game official. Lavoie was suspended for a one year period com- mencing February 24, 1996.

Lastly, Jean Imbeau was the subject of two complaints from UPEI. It was represented that he had been one of the players who mobbed the officials, not allowing them to leave the ice. It was further stated that he threw a stool which had been used by the TV camera- man. It was the finding of Don Wells, the Hockey Chairperson, that Imbeau did not breach the Code of Ethics by being on the ice and in the proximity of the violence against the referee. Wells found that Imbeau took no part in the violence against the official. Simply being on the ice and in the area of the violence was not sufficient to constitute a breach of the Code of Ethics. How- ever, the portion of the complaint which involved throwing the stool or chair was found to be valid. This was considered to be the equivalent of a gross miscon- duct penalty and Wells suspended Jean Imbeau for three games to be served at the commencement of the 1996/97 season.

Raymond Delarosbil, Martin* Duval, Michel Savoie and Alain Louisgnant were all named in the com- plaint filed by UPEI as being players who were part of the group which was mobbing the official. After a review of the representation, it was determined by Wells that none of these players were part of the violence against the referee. None of these players committed any violent act or showed any intention to violence towards the game officials. No sanction was imposed upon them. No

complaint was filed against any other members of the team.

The complaint by UPEI also named Assistant Coach Patrick Daviault, Coach Peter Belliveau, and Athletic Director Daniel MacDonald. No decision has yet been made as to whether sanctions will be imposed

against these individuals. The decisions of Wells are subject to appeal under the Rules of the AUAA. The organization says that the Canadian Hockey Associa- tion will be notified of the sanctions imposed and will be requested to enforce these sanctions at all levels of amateur hockey.

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