Jordan Tourigny dished out some uncalled-for abuse during Tuesday night’s game at the Memorial Cup and now the overage defenceman’s CHL career is over.
The Chicoutimi Sagueneens player went viral during the game against the Rangers after he was caught stomping on the skate of Kitchener winger Christian Humphreys along the boards.
The two were among a group of players battling for the puck during the third period when Tourigny stomped three times on the skate of Humphreys, who fell to the ice seemingly in agony.
Tourigny was assessed a five-minute major penalty, which upon review by the officials was upgraded to a match penalty for kicking.
While Humphreys, who is a draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche, was able to return to the bench under his own power, he left the game and did not return.
After the review was completed, several Rangers players confronted Tourigny as he was skating from the penalty box to the bench.
“It’s the right call,” TSN commentators said. “It’s a horrible, disgusting, ugly play and the Rangers have every right to be upset about it.”
Was Tourigny suspended for the stomp?
On Wednesday afternoon, the CHL announced that Tourigny had been suspended for the remainder of the Memorial Cup, ending the overager’s CHL career.
During the Memorial Cup, post-game reviews are handled by the NHL’s department of player safety, which “recommended that Tourigny be suspended for the duration of the tournament.”
The CHL said that the recommendation was accepted by the Memorial Cup games committee as well as the CHL executive council and that the suspension is effective immediately.
The CHL also stated that it will not be providing further comment on the matter.
What did the Rangers have to say?
After the game on Tuesday, Rangers coach Jussi Ahokas clearly wasn’t happy about the incident and labelled it “coward hockey.
“Well, that’s a cowardice play stomping with the skate. That’s not tough hockey, that’s coward hockey, that’s not in our values,” Ahokas told reporters after the game. “If someone does that, that’s cheap, cheapest thing (that) you can do in hockey for me.”
Ahokas added that he likes “tough hockey, I like physical hockey, but that’s nothing to do with playing well.”
The coach had no immediate update on Humphreys’ condition. But according to a X post from Waterloo Region Record reporter Josh Brown, who is covering the tournament in Kelowna, B.C., Humphreys was “in good spirits but continues to be evaluated.”
Humphreys’ teammate Sam O’Reilly wasn’t too pleased with the incident, either.
“It’s obviously terrible. You never want to see a guy go down like that,” the Rangers star said. “Obviously, it’s not a hockey play and it’s not how we play the game.”
What about the Sagueneens?
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Chicoutimi coach Yanick Jean said that Tourigny has received death threats on social media over the incident.
“I don’t agree with people trying to hide … behind their computer to write trash or write death threats towards hockey players,” he said. “Nobody deserves that.”
Jean also expressed his displeasure with Ahokas’ post-game comments.
“The second thing I don’t agree (with) is the coach from the other team putting oil on the fire, gas on the fire to make sure he encourages those threats,” he said.
“He (Ahokas) talks about value, it’s not my values.
“We have to be supportive of our players. We’re there to help them. We’re there to make them grow. I don’t care if it’s mine, I don’t care if it’s players from other teams, I want to make sure we are in a sport where everyone is entitled to grow.”
Tourigny released a statement as well.
“I am sorry not to be able to continue the tournament and help my teammates,” it said. “At no point did I touch or intend to hit his skate boot or his ankle. My intention was only to reach the blade of his stick. I regret using my skate in that type of situation and I am aware that this kind of action is prohibited. I am relieved to learn that he is not injured and that he will be able to play in Sunday’s final.”
What was the reaction online?
Once the clip blew up on social media, the knives were out for Tourigny.
“He should get a lifetime ban from playing again, that is disgusting,” one user wrote.
“Cheap and dirty. No place for it in the game,” another wrote.
“That better be the last play of Tourigny’s CHL career,” a third user wrote. “For those defending the play claiming he’s just trying to break the stick, it doesn’t matter. It’s a stupid dangerous play that shows complete disregard for the game and opponent.”
What did the QMJHL say?
Things became so bad online that the QMJHL put out a statement regarding the incident and the reaction to it.
“Jordan Tourigny made a regrettable play in the third period, one he deeply regrets,” the league posted on X. “However, the hate, threats, and violent messages being directed at him on social media have absolutely no place in our game or in our community.
“Our players are young athletes between the ages of 16 and 20. They deserve respect and support, even in difficult moments.
“Hockey is a game. Please treat these players with dignity. Thank you.”
One follower, however, was quick to point out that Tourigny isn’t in that age range and is, in fact, 21 years old.
Who is Jordan Tourigny?
Tourigny played his first four full seasons of junior hockey with the Shawinigan Cataractes before being traded to the Sagueneens in a mid-season trade.
He helped Chicoutimi win the QMJHL title by recording eight goals and 24 assists in 29 regular-season games and then putting up 16 points in the playoffs.
This is his second trip to the Memorial Cup after having reached the CHL championship in 2022 during his rookie season.
The winger has made a verbal commitment to play NCAA hockey at Northeastern University next season.