It’s time to kick Trevor Gillies out of hockey. Gillies’ actions late in an AHL game between the Adirondack Flames and the Rochester Americans were inexcusable as the enforcer jumped rookie William Carrier and slammed his head into the ice. The incident, one which Gillies initiated seemingly at random, earned him 27 penalty minutes, but a far more severe punishment is in order.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzBiCtZlm5M
There’s so many things wrong here. Carrier hasn’t even dropped his stick before Gillies starts throwing punches. As if that wasn’t enough, when Carrier drops to the ice, Gillies grabs his head with both hands and slams it to the ice. It’s a disgusting play from a player familiar with controversy and dirty incidents. It’s one of the most clear definitions of “intent to injure” you’ll ever see.
Carrier, who amazingly wasn’t injured, commented on the incident:
“I felt my head get picked up and pulled down.”
Carrier’s coach, Chadd Cassidy, wasn’t too pleased:
“If there’s room for that in hockey, I’m not sure I want to coach anymore. It looked bad; you spike a guy’s head into the ice.”
Well said. There’s no room for that type of play in any level of hockey.
Gillies isn’t a first time offender. He’s a well known goon.
You may recall Gillies elbowing Eric Tangardi in the face and then throwing punches at him after he crumpled to the ice.
Enough is enough. Players like Gillies aren’t cut out to be professional hockey players and it’s time to remove them from the game.
