Supplemental Review: CUE Hockey-J Lavoie

2018-19 Season 

March 20, 2019

During a March 9, 2019 game against RDC, CUE Men’s Hockey player Jacob Lavoie (#14) was assessed a major and game misconduct for a check from behind on RDC’s Ryley Smith (#71).

RDC has requested a review of the incident in question pursuant to the following ACAC Operating Code provision:

Article I Section 12 Rule 8.5

8.5. Major Penalty for Head Contact (Amended June, 2012/April, 2016)

8.5.5. Any incident where injury was done to the player’s head can be requested for review by that institution for further suspension without fee regardless of whether it was called or not. If not called, the institution must provide a doctor’s note with diagnosis of injury. That institution is required to provide the league with video evidence of the incident.

As required by Rule 8.5.5 RDC has provided medical substantiation that Mr. Smith sustained several injuries on the play, including a concussion and three broken bones in his face. 

RDC has also provided video footage of the incident, which is attached to this ruling. I have reviewed that footage in detail.

Hockey Canada Rule 6.4 calls for an automatic one (1) game suspension for the offence called on the ice. RDC takes the position that a further suspension is warranted.

Having reviewed the video footage, it is my opinion that a further suspension is required to take into account a number of factors, including the following:

1. The clearly stated intention of the Conference to eliminate head contact from our league; 
2. The severity of the injury sustained by Mr. Smith; 
3. The nature of the hit in question, which was made with force with Mr. Lavoie appearing to increase his speed prior to contact; and
4. Mr. Lavoie’s previous suspension for head contact on January 17, 2019.

Based on the above, Mr. Lavoie is hereby suspended for a total of three (3) games, to be served at the commencement of the 2019-20 ACAC regular season.

Regards,

Bill Hendsbee 
ACAC Commissioner