[sureLoss]

Wow gutsy move by a team to release a high profile player during the semi-finals:

http://theqnews.ca/2013/04/22/breaki...by-the-armada/

Stefan Matteau was benched in the third period of Blainville-Boisbriand’s game in Baie-Comeau against the Drakkar. Jean-Francois Houle, the head coach of the team, had benched him after Stefan showed his frustrations in the second period by slashing a Drakkar player. The Armada lost the game 2-1.

It was reported on Sunday that Stefan had not returned to Blainville-Boisbriand with the team, however took the fan club’s bus home with his father Stephane.

“We have principles and we have to respect them,” said Joel Bouchard, the Armada’s General Manager, at the press conference. “The team had offered Stefan Matteau to take the plane on Saturday night, however he preferred to take the bus with the fans.”


Matteau will stay on the team’s protected list however we will no longer see him with the team.


During the press conference, the team made it clear that it’s not Stefan Matteau who left the Armada, it’s the team that has released him. The decision is irrevocable. The main reason for his release is because of Matteau’s indiscipline on the ice.


“Nobody is bigger than the team, even myself,” said Bouchard.


According to the rules, Stefan Matteau cannot play anywhere else before the Armada is eliminated from the QMJHL playoffs. He hasn’t been formally released and still remains the property of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Joel Bouchard has already discussed the situation with New Jersey Devils’ GM, Lou Lamoriello. The Devils hold Matteau’s NHL rights.

From the team's press release:

Following Stefan Matteau’s actions during and after Saturday April 20th game in Baie-Comeau, the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada decided to release the player from the team.

We asked him to fly from Baie-Comeau on Sunday morning, but the player decided to leave right away with a fans bus.
Our organization promotes important values since joining the league in August of 2011. The team insists on those values, even en semifinals of the Quebec Major Junior hockey League (QMJHL) playoffs. It is required from all our players to provide sustained efforts within the team system and to be a good and respectful teammate.


It wasn’t his first incidents with the team. The hockey staff had to bring him to order at several occasions during the current season. We told him many times that his behavior was unacceptable to our organization.


Stéphane Matteau is still an assistant-coach with the Club, despite this situation. However, please understand that he needs a few days for reflection. In this circumstances please respect the delicate family situation.