Josef Sladok of the Plymouth Whalers has been suspended for five games for bullying. That effectively ends his ineffective season. Sladok was on the ice four times in game three in Kitchener, the last time, with less than two minutes to play in a game that was already lost. He jumped into the fray and started pounded Scott Tregunna of the Rangers. The OHL had seen enough. Which begs the question. Didn’t they see the first two games?
I remember saying, many times, that we should not idolize athletes and the best role models for our kids are named mom and dad. I may have to take that back. Patrick Roy, the legendary goalie of the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche stands accused of sending his goalie (who is also his son) into a brawl to fight the opposition goalie. I’ve seen the video, sorry Patrick, I don’t believe that signal was a gesture to the fans and nobody else does either. It’s another condemnation for a great game. This is not the first time Roy has had his image tarnished. For me, it was more of a semi-private moment that cameras did not pick up. IN 2003, the Kitchener Rangers were playing the Quebec Remparts in the Memorial Cup in their home rink. That year, Roy was an assistant coach/part owner, was not on the bench. He was ten teen to my left in the press box. When the rest of us stood for the National Anthm, Patrick remained seated and turned his back. When we made eye contact, he sneered. That would be the moment he fell from his pedestal.