Hockey player fired for not signing flag for troops (Canada)

[deadparrot]

A junior hockey player has been ousted from the Saint John Sea Dogs after he did not sign a Canadian flag that the team was sending to troops in Afghanistan.

Dave Bouchard — a 20-year-old from Jonquière, Que., who played left wing on the Quebec Major Junior team — said he thought someone else had already signed his name.

But Sea Dogs coach Jacques Beaulieu said he did not accept that explanation and cut him from the team after Saturday's game.

"Morally, we have standards with this hockey team and that's a standard that we believe in," Beaulieu told CBC News Monday.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2006/12/18/nb-hockeyflag.html?ref=rss

[bahrbearian]

1. Freedoms Baad.. Standards Goood.

[muntrv]

2. I hope Bouchard makes the NHL and blasts Beaulieu on prime time TV.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

3. I'm Not Sure I Understand Exactly Why He Wouldn't Sign It.

Based on the premise that he did in fact intentionally choose not to sign it, why wouldn't he have?

Maybe I'm thinking too broad, but I would think that you can absolutely hate the war and everything it stands for, but still support the troops or be part of the flag being sent to the troops who are away from their families etc. Even though I'm thoroughly against the war, I see no relation between that and a signature on a flag sent to the troops in harm's way there, as a gesture of "we care".

I'm just not sure I understand his rationale for not doing so, but then the only words from him were that it was a simple error of omission. That actually could very well be the case, in which case this is all ridiculous. But like I said, based on the premise that it was intentional, I'm not sure I understand why. I can understand though why the coach would cut him for it. Though the player of course has the right to express himself however he wants, I do understand how important it is for teams like that to act as one even when there are things that are bothersome or disagreeable on an individual level. Hence the whole 'taking one for the team' cliche. If the team was sending the flag as a gesture from the team, then I can see why the coach would require every member to sign it. That's just team mentality and for good reason.

I do think he should've gotten a fairer shake though, as it seems the decision was made quite abruptly and I think he should've had a chance to make things right etc.

But who knows. We don't even know if in fact his lack of signing was in fact an innocent mistake. Since I don't know otherwise, I'd just give him the benefit of the doubt anyway.

[wtmusic]

5. Does it matter?

His job is to play hockey.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

6. Yes, It Does. For The Reasons I Explained.

Based on the complete lack of contextual counter-argument in your reply, however, I'm uncertain as to if you even read it.

[wtmusic]

7. Again: he's paid to play hockey

and (unless it's in his contract) why should he have to participate? If the team was having Bible study, does he have to go to that too? What about knitting socks for the elderly?

Call him a boor, politically incorrect, whatever. They had no right to kick him off the team. I hope he sues their ass.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

8. ROFLMAO!

I'm not even going to waste my time trying to explain this to you. It just simply isn't worth it to me.

[wtmusic]

10. ROFLMAO!

How fucking arrogant. Whatever. :hi:

[LynnTheDem]

9. Agree with ya

110%.

[joeunderdog]

15. You are spot on. The rest of the details are the irrelavent ones.

It's a slippery slope when you are fired for lack of "support" for political, social or other causes. Why is THAT a fire-able offense?

[KamaAina]

4. Too bad they play in a different league than the Saginaw Spirit

made famous (?) when they named their mascot for none other than Stephen Colbert. You don't think that Colbert would put up with this despicable, traitorous, um, non-flag-signing for a minute, do you? :sarcasm:

[TahitiNut]

11. "Believe in it or else!"

Ahhh ... the power of persuasion! :eyes:

[MisterP]

12. how--30s Japan...

[Wonk]

13. Update: Coach suspended for two games, team fined $1000

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2006/12/20/flag-player.html

The head coach of a Quebec junior hockey team has been given a two-game suspension for kicking a player off the team who did not sign a Canadian flag.

The flag was going to be sent to Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan.

Gilles Courteau, commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, also fined the Saint John Sea Dogs $1,000 for having asked the players to sign the flag.

more...

[joeunderdog]

17. Wish that kind of shit would happen in our country.

We just "stay the course" over here and give promotions to whoever fucks up.

[baldguy]

14. Fired for NOT signing a flag?

[Kelly Rupert]

16. They were just looking for an excuse to can him.

From the article:
He said Bouchard had not been performing well and had a bad attitude, even though he has tied for top scorer on the team so far in the season.

Beaulieu said Bouchard was about to be cut anyway and the flag issue was the last straw.