Courteau resigns as QMJHL commissioner

QMJHL

In a stunning announcement Sunday, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League commissioner Gilles Courteau announced his immediate resignation.

RDS' Stephane Leroux first reported the news. Courteau himself confirmed the resignation shortly after, posting a statement on Twitter.

Today, I contacted Mr. Richard Letourneau, chair of the @LHJMQ Executive Committee, to announce my resignation, effective immediately. After devoting my life to the league, it is time for me to step down and pass the torch. pic.twitter.com/phy73nKdW3

— Gilles Courteau (@gcourteauhockey) March 5, 2023

The resignation comes as the league has faced intense criticism in Quebec from government officials and the public regarding allegations of hazing and abuse. Some of Courteau's comments in the statement above would appear to be making reference to this recent news.

The Montreal Gazette and Sportsnet have more details on the allegations the league is facing.

Courteau had already announced that this would be his final season as commissioner, retiring after 47 years of involvement in the QMJHL - 37 of which were spent as commissioner. He was expected to help mentor the new commissioner over the course of the 2023-24 season, but that seems unlikely now.

The league gave a brief update on the commissioner search in a statement issued Sunday.

Today, the Executive Committee of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) was informed of the immediate resignation of Commissioner Gilles Courteau.

The Committee, on behalf of the QMJHL, thanks Mr. Courteau for his commitment to the advancement of hockey in Quebec and the Maritimes.

Mr. Martin Lavallée, the current assistant to the commissioner, will assume the position of Interim Commissioner of the QMJHL. The recruitment process for the appointment of a new commissioner began in recent weeks. This process, which is in its final stages, continues and an announcement will be made at a later date.

The League’s owners will be meeting in the next few hours to discuss the next steps, including actions to be taken concerning player safety.

Le Journal de Quebec is reporting that Mario Cecchini will be the QMJHL's next commissioner. The report says the league's owners already gave Cecchini their support last week before knowing of Courteau's plans to resign.

Cecchini has been in the news recently, being named the interim president of the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes a few weeks ago. Cechinni was originally named the team's president in January 2020 but did not have his contract renewed for 2023. He was brought back on an interim basis recently after the CFL took over ownership of the club with plans to sell it.

This should be an eventful few days and weeks for both the QMJHL and CHL. The CHL released a brief statement on Sunday.

CHL statement on the resignation of @QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau.

Communiqué de la LCH suite à la démission du commissaire de la @LHJMQ Gilles Courteau. pic.twitter.com/4RYRi8XXVt

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) March 5, 2023