Costly comments

THE CANADIAN PRESS

BOUCHERVILLE, Que. -- Patrick Roy is in hot water again after accusing the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's commissioner of pressuring an injured player into participating in this week's top prospects game.

The QMJHL has fined the Quebec Remparts $5,000 over comments made by the former star goaltender, who serves as the Remparts' head coach and general manager.

Roy laced into QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau last Friday, accusing him of placing his own interests and those of the QMJHL above those of players.

Roy said Courteau and the league put pressure on Remparts right-winger Mikhail Grigorenko to play in the Home Hardware CHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, B.C., on Wednesday night even though the Russian was injured.

Roy also said Courteau wants to become head of the Canadian Hockey League and that Grigorenko's participation in the event would help his candidacy.

"What we want is that the young player is able go out there in ideal circumstances and that he can give the best possible performance, but when you have a commissioner who thinks about his future, the kids get forgotten," Roy said in French.

Grigorenko, who is recovering from an ankle injury, played in Wednesday's game.

"(Courteau) wants to move up in the hockey world, in the Canadian League, Hockey Canada, etc. He dreams of becoming a future David Branch," Roy said, referring to the current head of the CHL.

Last month, the league fined the Remparts $2,500 over comments Roy made about the officials after a loss to Victoriaville. The former star NHL goaltender said the officials were "a disgrace."

Roy was also fined in November and April for comments directed towards league officials.