The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) commissioner, Gilles Courteau, has announced today that suspensions and other disciplinary sanctions in the league will now be announced in a different way. Beginning today, any one or two game suspensions, along with all fines, will be published on the QMJHL website under the news tab.
For longer suspensions, three games or more, the league has adopted a policy similar to the one brought on by Brendan Shanahan, the NHL’s Chief Disciplinarian. The lengthier suspensions will be announced along with a video of the event which explains the situation and makes reference to the rule violated.
The NHL, along with the QMJHL, will be taking advantage of enhanced video technology and social media to further connect with their fans. They also want to make sure that the suspensions are fully understood by fans and media. “We want to be more transparent and explain the reasons behind the disciplinary decisions,” Courteau said in a statement about the new rule. “With video becoming increasingly prominent, we must take the necessary steps to make sure that our process is better understood,” he added.
The videos also come as a great way to educate the hockey community, according to Raymond Bolduc, the QMJHL Disciplinary Prefect. “The videos and explanatory texts will also be good educational tools for those who want to have a better idea of the disciplinary process,” he said.
