QMJHL launches 40th anniversary season
Published on September 10, 2008 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) News Release
MONTREAL, Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - The Commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Gilles Courteau, today officially launched the circuit's 40th anniversary season at a press conference which was held at the Centre Mont-Royal in downtown Montreal. The Commissioner took the opportunity to unveil the QMJHL's 40th anniversary logo.
"The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has evolved tremendously in the past forty years and I am especially proud of the progress and the innovation that has been witnessed over the past few years," commented Gilles Courteau.
"Our number one priority has always been to create the finest support systems for the benefit and well-being of our players. More than ever, today's players can count on the finest coaches, therapists, educators, medical advisors and nutritionists. Moreover, in recent years, the QMJHL and its teams have implemented a rigorous education policy. Every team now has an educational advisor on staff to support players in their academic endeavors. Last season, 94% of our players followed an average of 3.15 classes per semester and their success rate was measured at 83.7%. These results were possible thanks in large part to the support of our partners, Alliance Sport-Ãtudes and Collège Saint-Bernard and the commitment shown by our teams to invest in our players' futures with nearly $300,000 being spent every year in the form of study grants. The League has also implemented an anti-doping policy in collaboration with the RCMP and the CCES as well as an anti-discrimination policy to protect our players and to better the environment in which they play. This is the message I offer to players and parents: You are in good hands within our school of hockey; our school of life."
RULE CHANGES
Last August 23rd, in Victoriaville, following the General Annual Assembly of the Board of Governors, the Consulting Committee handed over a report to the QMJHL underlining its recommendations to eliminate gratuitous violence in hockey. During the last few days, discussions took place between League executives, General Managers and Governors to discuss rule changes.
"With the decisions made by the Governors and General Managers on Monday, our League will become the strictest and most rigorous in terms of preventing and sanctioning gratuitous violence in junior hockey. I have made this statement several times over the past few months and I will say it again: In the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, we will have a zero tolerance policy in regards to gratuitous violence. The measures, which we are adopting today, will again make us innovators and leaders throughout Canada. I am convinced that these sanctions will be so dissuasive that we will witness marked improvements. Rest assured that once implemented, these measures will be closely monitored by our hockey orientation committee. Finally, if new measures should need to be added to better banish deplorable acts of violence in our sport, we will consider them closely," said the Commissioner.
Sanctions 2008-09
TELUS AND THE QMJHL - A GROWING PARTNERSHIP
"We are very pleased with the response of our fans regarding the presentation of all of our games on the TELUS webcast," commented Mr. Courteau. "Thanks to the support of our major partner, TELUS, I am convinced that our fans will enjoy a remarkable 2008-09 season. Moreover, with the help of TELUS' innovations, the QMJHL will reach new heights in terms of visibility and notoriety."
Fans are invited to visit qmjhl.mytelus.com to see all of the play-by-play action in high definition or at no charge. Also, fans can seek additional information on new ring tones, images and video which can be downloaded via TELUS wireless phones.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The 2008-09 regular season kicks off on Thursday in Gatineau as the President Cup champion Olympiques entertain the Victoriaville Tigres.
Several activities will surround the QMJHL's 40th anniversary season. The ADT Canada-Russia Challenge is back for a sixth consecutive year. The League's brightest stars, who are eligible to take part in the World Junior Championship in Ottawa next December, will battle a delegation of Russian All-Stars. The first game of the event will be held in Cape Breton on Monday, November 17, while the second game will be presented in Saint John the following Wednesday. Afterwards, the Russian team heads west to play the OHL and WHL All-Stars.
The QMJHL will enshrine a few of its all-time greats during the Hall of Fame ceremonies on Wednesday, April 1. Moreover, the best players, coaches, general managers and teams will be honoured as part of the Golden Puck Awards Gala.
Rimouski will host the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup Tournament from May 14 to 25 as the champions of each of the three CHL leagues as well as the Océanic battle for junior hockey's ultimate prize.
ESTEEMED SPONSORS
The QMJHL is delighted to count on the continued support of Comfort & Quality Hotels. Moreover, Reebok/CCM is back as the official supplier of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, offering a complete range of hockey equipment products, as well as apparel and accessories.
The QMJHL would also like to thank CHL sponsors: ADT, MasterCard, Subway, Home Hardware, Via Rail, BMO, Gatorade, Go RVing, All Weather Windows and Tim Hortons.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from September 10, 2008
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
