Preds prospect Zachary L'Heureux suspended indefinitely for incident with fan
Zachary L'Heureux, a first round draft pick and current prospect in the Nashville Predators farm system, has been indefinitely suspended by the Quebec Minor Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) after a recent incident involving a fan. A report emerged earlier this week that L'Heureux, a forward for the Halifax Mooseheads, had "speared a fan" as he […]
Zachary L'Heureux, a first round draft pick and current prospect in the Nashville Predators farm system, has been indefinitely suspended by the Quebec Minor Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) after a recent incident involving a fan.
A report emerged earlier this week that L'Heureux, a forward for the Halifax Mooseheads, had "speared a fan" as he was leaving the ice. L'Heureux denied the incident occurred. The QMJHL looked into the incident, but decided to not impose discipline due to a lack of video evidence.
However, a recent video emerged showing clearly that the incident did occur and that L'Heureux was responsible.
Upon the release of this video evidence, the QMJHL reversed course and has suspended Zachary L'Heureux indefinitely.
Form their press release earlier today:
After receiving new video evidence, QMJHL Director of Player Safety, Éric Chouinard, has decided to suspend Halifax Mooseheads forward Zachary L’Heureux indefinitely for incidents that occurred following Wednesday’s game in Gatineau, Quebec.
The disciplinary committee will review the evidence over the weekend and announce its decision at a later date.
The video clearly shows L'Heureux using his stick as a weapon towards an unidentified fan in the bleacher area. Previous reports stated the victim was a 16-year-old in attendance at the game.
L'Heureux has already been suspended eight times in the QMJHL for on-ice incidents: four in 2020-21, three in 2021-22, and one already this season. This is the ninth suspension for L'Heureux in his hockey career.
An indefinite suspension means only that L'Heureux will be suspended for an undetermined length of time. However, with his track record of reckless behavior and with the serious nature of attacking a fan attending a game, this suspension is not likely to be a short one.
The Nashville Predators signed L'Heureux to a three-year, entry level contract in July 2021.
— Featured image via Dobber Prospects —
