Hockey player fired for not signing flag for troops

Some support coach of Saint John Sea Dogs; others defend young Quebecer's freedom of expression
CBC News
Dec. 20, 2006

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.

"I mean, if Dave doesn't believe in it, that's fine. But he won't be part of it. He won't be part of this organization. That's the standard that we set."

Beaulieu said he believes in freedom of expression but added that any player who refused to sign would have been kicked off the team.

"It wouldn't matter who it would have been. It could have been one of our best players, our first round pick."

Earlier issues with Bouchard, coach says
Beaulieu said Bouchard's decision not to sign the flag was just the latest in a long list of problems.

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.

Mixed reaction in Saint John
On the streets of Saint John, where the hockey team regularly draws big crowds for its home games, reaction to the coach's decision has been mixed.

Hockey fan Jackie Rocca said Beaulieu was justified in firing the young left-winger.

"He should have signed it, too. He's a team player, he should be a team player 100 per cent."

Player's right to hold his own opinions defended
Dave van de Wetering said it was unfortunate the player's right to choose his own political opinions hadn't been respected.

"The Dixie Chicks had a movie about it, about not supporting their president, they took certain backlash, which this player may also get, but he's willing to accept it. There's all kinds of people willing to say war is wrong."

Bouchard, who last played for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, has gone back to his hometown.

He could be traded to another team in the league, but his age makes 2006-07 his last season. In Saint John, his hockey career is over.

Meanwhile, Beaulieu said his decision has the full support of the team owners and even from some of Bouchard's former teammates.

"The owners have given me full reins of the hockey team and they allow me to make decisions like that and they totally support me, after I did it, even the some of the teammates said, 'Jacques, it was wrong, we support you and we believe in what you believe in, and it was the right thing to do.'"