Developing Story QUEBEC CITY P.Q. — The Quebec Remparts organization held a press conference Friday just three hour before facing the Saint John Sea Dogs and just 24 hours since Mikael Tam had returned home from hospital following convulsions, the result of an ice hit by the Huskies’ Patrice Cormier, where the young defenseman had the chance to address his situation with the media.
Present at the press conference were the President of the Quebec Remparts Mr. Claude Rousseau, Remparts defenseman Mikael Tam and the sport Therapist Philippe Fait.
First to address the media Mr. Rousseau began his allocution by clearly talking about the organization priority in regard to the incident.
“Following last Sunday incident our (as an organization) priority and only priority was and will always be Michael’s rehabilitation. I also would like to confirm that certain subject won’t be discussed in the press conference today,” stated Rousseau.
“So no questions related to the suspension, speculation or comment will be shared with you today. Secondly for Mikael’s family their only priority was the health of their son. Following these specifications, the only member of the family who will address you will be Mikael Tam, and this is what the family wishes. I would appreciate if you respect all of this,” said Rousseau.
“Secondly, no decision has been taken on judiciary aspect of the incident and no further decision will ever be communicated today or in days to come. Last, but certainly not least, no comment will be made in regard to the incident or on Mr. Cormier. Mr. Cormier via the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies tried to contact Mikael, but Mikael will decide when will be the best time to talk with Mr. Cormier. The discussion between both players will remain between the two as far as the Quebec Remparts are concerned,” concluded the Remparts president before Mikael Tam began his allocution.
The young defenseman, who appeared well considering what happened one week ago, began to share general comments with respect to the incident.
“Hi everyone, and thanks for being here today. These last few days have been the hardest moments of my life,” began Tam.
“When I was in the emergency room, I was really scared. As I was regaining consciousness I felt incredible things. I remembered I was wondering if I will ever walk again and if my friend and family will remain by my side. Mostly I was scared that I will never get to play hockey again,” related the young defenseman.
“If I’m here today in the place where I love to play hockey it is because of all people who have supported me the last few days. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all my family who even from the distance were very close to me. My situation has caused them lots of anxiety and anguish but their support was extraordinary. I should also extend my thanks to the medical staff who took charge at the first instance, to the ambulance staff and the Rouyn-Noranda hospital members of the emergency room. I want to thank all the Remparts hockey staff, my teammates, my second family. Finally, I would like to thank all the Remparts fans and hockey fans who have sent me hundreds of well wishes. I received a book with all your messages. I’m amazed and touched to see hockey fans from all over the world even from Russia who have offered their support. I want to thank you deeply for all your encouragements,” continued the defenseman who wears number 52 for the Remparts.
Tam continued his allocation by saying, “Hockey is a great game, I have been playing since the age of five. Before the incident I have always played with energy in order to achieve higher levels. I live and breathe as a Remparts and I’m in debt to all those who have helped me to reach this level. Today, I’m not sure how long I will be away from the game. I have suffered a traumatic brain injury and I also lost few teeth and feet really tired,” added Tam.
“With the help of the Remparts, my goal is to return to the ice at some point. I’m a winner, a warrior and I will try to come back as soon as I can. My desire is to find again the passion that I have to play hockey and will play hockey again,” concluded the young athlete who didn’t answered any questions.
The last to address the media was the Quebec Remparts sports Therapist Philippe Fait who was there at the game and who played a major role in the fact that the young defenseman still alive today.
“I usually work behind the scenes so to face all these cameras today isn’t easy. Just to make a short recap of the incident, when Mikael had his unfortunate accident on the ice we activated the emergency protocol meaning that I step on the ice and made a signal for all the procedures to begin,” related Fait.
“We had the Rouyn-Noranda doctor who came to assist me on the ice and also the Huskies’ sport therapist and transported Mikael as fast as we could to the nearest hospital. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies organization for all they did as far as the protocol that are the same around the league but they did everything accordingly,” added Fait.
“As Mikael arrived to the hospital all the medical personnel took very good care of the patient, and emergency doctor who worked that night, doctor Truchon, did an exceptional job and all over the intervention she let me participate in taking care of Mikael.”
Several questions were asked by some reporters but no one was allowed to ask specific questions relative to the incident or in regard of the sanction that will be announced next Monday to Huskies center Patrice Cormier.
Quebec lost the game against the best QMJHL team, Saint John Sea Dogs, 5-4 in a shootout.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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