Discussions

Canadian World Junior coach Pat Quinn has ruffled a few features (mainly in Quebec) over comments about diving in junior hockey in a recent interview. When combined with the fact there is only one Quebec-born player on the World Junior team, it's given the PQ media plenty to talk about..  
 
A few excerpts from the article....  
 
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Radio-Canada reported Saturday that Quinn made a plea for more toughness among players at selection camp in Ottawa. "A lot of players are falling on the ice on purpose," he said. "That means our team looks more like a soccer team. This style of play is often practised in Quebec, where players fall down easily and good body checks are often penalized." (The quote is translated from a French report, which was likely translated from Quinn's original English, so the wording may be slightly off.)  
 
La Presse reports today that Michelle Courchesne, Quebec's minister responsible for amateur sport, has waded into the debate. "I hope Mr. Quinn is not trying to insult Quebec players and teams in particular," she said. "That would be unworthy of the coach of the Canadian junior team." She added that she expected Quebec players to be well represented when the final cuts were made. "Our players belong on Team Canada," Ms. Courchesne said. "It's up to them to show they are capable."  
 
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Montreal Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau told the Journal de Montréal that Quinn has it wrong. "It's probably just a good way for him to justify his decision not to keep many QMJHL players on his team," Carbonneau said. "Diving on the rink happens in junior hockey everywhere. The reason it happens less in the NHL is you get a penalty."  
 
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Based on Carbonneau's comments, it's a problem in more places than Quebec. Thoughts?  
 
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2008/12/15/quinn-irks-quebec-by-saying-its-hockey-players-are-a-bunch-of-divers.aspx