ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec (AP) — Atlanta Thrashers prospect Patrice Cormier won’t have a criminal record despite pleading guilty to an assault charge stemming from a junior hockey league game last season.
Cormier, who originally pleaded not guilty last month, entered the guilty plea when he appeared in court Tuesday. He will not have a criminal record, meaning he will be able to travel to the United States.
Cormier was playing for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last January when he elbowed Quebec Remparts defenseman Mikael Tam in the head. Tam spent a night in hospital after the blow and returned to the lineup shortly thereafter. Cormier was suspended for the season.
The judge granted the discharge after an agreement was reached among the parties.
