Patrick King

The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies aren't giving up on their hopes to get Patrice Cormier back this season.

The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies have one card left to play, and they’re going all-in in their bid to get Patrice Cormier back in action this season.

The team announced late Tuesday afternoon that they would be appealing Cormier’s season and playoff-long suspension to an independent arbitrator. The Huskies’ announcement came on the heals of Friday’s announcement that the Québec Major Junior Hockey League would uphold their suspension.

"We know the incident was not great and has to be suspended, no question," Huskies head coach and general manager André Tourigny told Sportsnet.ca in an exclusive interview. "But at the same time, I think the suspension is too severe and at this point we want to go and appeal."

The league suspended Cormier for a vicious elbow to Québec Remparts defenceman Mikael Tam’s head in a game on Jan. 17. Tam convulsed on the ice and was taken to Rouyn-Noranda hospital before being released two days later.

The Huskies appealed the suspension with the league shortly after it was handed out on Jan. 25. The QMJHL’s constitution dictates the team can now take the matter to an independent arbitrator.

Tourigny’s Huskies remain optimistic Cormier’s suspension could be overturned by an independent arbitrator, but they are keeping their cards close to the vest.

"We want to go to an independent referee," Tourigny explained. "We will see what will be the decision and what will be the process, but right now we think we have some arguments in our favour.

"We don’t want to talk about (those arguments) because we want to keep it for the appeal."

Tourigny did not know how long the process would take, but time is running out with three weeks remaining in the regular season. His team owns the sixth-best record and is a legitimate contender for the President’s Cup.

Meanwhile, Cormier remains in Rouyn-Noranda, keeping his albeit brief hope alive of playing this season. Tourigny says his suspended forward joined the team on all road trips and practices since the suspension, and has set a positive example away from the ice.

"He’s still with the team every day and I can tell you one thing, he’s a real pro," Tourigny said. "He trains hard, he’s at the gym every day, he’s on the ice every day, and he’s the last one to get off the ice every day. Honestly, he’s a real good person and a good source of motivation for every player in the room."

In short, Cormier’s character has been everything Tourigny thought to have acquired when he made the blockbuster trade with the Rimouski Océanic. Now, in spite of all those qualities, he’s unable to use him in his lineup.

Cormier joined Rouyn-Noranda, along with Jordan Caron, for a package which included three first-round picks. Considering the steep price he paid, Tourigny said he has not, and will not, contact Rimouski about re-acquiring any of those assets.

"We were happy about the trade, Rimouski was happy about the trade (and) it was a fair deal," he said. "Rimouski has nothing to do with the decision of the league. It’s the kind of sacrifice you need to do when you want to go all the way, but at the same time when the player doesn’t play, it’s tough."

It’s understandable why the Huskies are devoting so much to Cormier’s appeal. Given all the player movement the team made in anticipation of making a run this season, it could be the franchise’s last run season in the foreseeable future.

The Huskies will be a very young and inexperienced team next season, and added to that is the fact their head coach might not be around much longer. Tourigny was a finalist for the head coaching job with the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs last summer, and should receive more interest once again.

The Huskies are 9-3-0-1 since Cormier’s suspension, and remain a contender for the league crown. Tourigny is confident his team can still compete, which would be easier with his star in the lineup.

"We will be really tough to play and tough to beat," he said. "I think we have a really good team and we can beat anybody.

"(But) for sure with Patrice we would be better. That’s an easy call."

And so the Huskies are down to their last opportunity. After selling the farm for immediate gains, the team will throw its last chip in the pot in an all or nothing move.

"He wants to play," Tourigny concluded. "He just wants the opportunity to get back on the ice."