Cormier now facing charges

((ht: ajc.com/canadian national post/cbc))

Back in January we told you about and showed you a vicious elbow thrown by Patrice Cormier of the QMJHL Rouyn-Norada Huskies and at the time a property of the New Jersey Devils.

Since that time, Cormier has been shelved, suspended for the remainder of the QMJHL season and been a part of the Devils trade with the Atlanta Thrashers for Ilya Kovalchuk.

((Patrice Cormier//Courtesy: Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images))

Now comes word that the Prosecutor in Royun-Norada Province of Quebec has decided to file charges based on that play. If convicted, Cormier could be facing as much as 18 years in prison.

More from the Canadian National Post RIGHT HERE

The CBC went to Cormier's hometown for reaction, read about it RIGHT HERE

This will be an interesting case to follow. Cormier has had a good run with his "time off". He was the captain of Canada's Gold medal winning Junior Hockey Team. He's also being counted on as someone to help improve the somewhat woeful Atlanta Thrashers.

For those who haven't seen it, here is Sportsnet's take at the time...
FOSG Martine Gaillard takes the lead...
((HT: Rogers Sportsnet/HockeyHighlightsPlus))