Commissioner Gilles Courteau reduces Benjamin Breault's suspension from nine to seven games

LONGUEUIL (QMJHL) - Following an audition held on November 3rd, the Commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Mr Gilles Courteau, has reduced from nine to seven games the suspension imposed to Benjamin Breault, of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

During the game played on October 15th, Mr Breault hit Stanislav Lascek, of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, on the head with his stick. Mr Maurice Filion, QMJHL Disciplinary Prefect, had announced his decision on Friday October 22nd.

Before divulging his decision, Mr Courteau enquired into the QMJHL's referees reports, watched the videotape of the incident and read the statement submitted by the Drakkar officials.

Mr Courteau also listened to the arguments and explanations issued by Mr Breault as well as Mr Pierre Parent, the team's general manager, Mr Martin Laperriere, the team's head coach, and Mr Michel Beaulieu, the team's president.

" In his hockey career, Mr Breault, has no previous reprehensible act to his record, first reminded Mr Courteau.

" However, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League can not tolerate a player using his stick to hit an opponent.

" Even though Mr Breault did not intend to hit Mr Lascek on the head, he used his stick in an inappropriate and dangerous manner, and, as a matter of fact, struck him on the head. This is a reprehensible and very serious act and it needs a sanction proportional to the offence commited ", also said Mr Courteau.

Before Friday's contests, Mr Breault had missed four games.