Lack of players: problem solved for the Phoenix
The Phoenix is still awaiting the arrival of its foreign players, but can now sleep soundly thanks to the exemption applied by Hockey Canada, which now allows QMJHL teams to recall players from lower leagues. Archives La Tribune
Share September 17, 2020 11:28 pm Share Lack of players: problem solved for the Phoenix
Jérôme Gaudreau La Tribune After canceling its last game for lack of players, the Sherbrooke Phoenix saw its biggest problem be resolved Thursday by Hockey Canada, which now allows the 18 QMJHL teams to recall players in the event of injury or to fill the absence of foreign players.
Once the exemption applied to the regulations related to phase 5 of the return to play protocol, which prevented lower level players from replacing in the QMJHL, the Sherbrooke Phoenix immediately called on three affiliated players.
This is how goalkeeper David Provencher joined the Sherbrooke team once again to fill the absence of Samuel Hlavaj, who is still in Slovakia despite his multiple attempts to join the team in Canada.
With the absence of American defender Gregory Kreutzer and Russian defender Pavel Grishin, the Phoenix also had to recall defenders Zachary Lessard, second round pick in 2020, and Maxime Pelletier, a player invited to the last two camps of the Phoenix .
“Since very recently, the recall of affiliated players has been done via the Internet and since the activities of the midget AAA and college were on hiatus, we could not select players on the software in question,” says Stéphane Julien, coach and general manager of the team. Hockey Canada was blocking access to these players. With the resumption of activities in the lower levels, and thanks to the exemption, we can now call for reinforcements. In total, we are entitled to 19 additional players protected by the team during the same season. In my opinion, it was all a question of communication and interpretation of the rule. Fortunately, it's settled now. “
Stéphane Julien is now impatiently awaiting the arrival of his foreign players.
“However, we will not do it on purpose to recall midget AAA, junior AAA or college players. We will limit the risks by trying as little as possible to mix the groups together. “
The Phoenix also had to scramble to confirm the release of new Ontario defenseman Maxime Blanchard.
“We should have a full team soon. With the return of Jacob Rabouin to the blue line and the arrival of Christophe Rondeau (victim of a concussion) within our roster, we will bet on six defenders, unlike three, as was the case last Sunday, this which forced us to cancel the game against the Olympics. “
Note in closing that the Phoenix wants to resume this preparatory game against Gatineau on Friday, in Sherbrooke.
“We need these preparatory matches. They are important for us, in order to arrive ready on October 2 for the start of the season, ”recalls Stéphane Julien.
