Your View

What is all of this bs about freedom and thanking the troops for all of their hard work? I do not support what the troops are doing in the Middle East and I sure as hell don't see why a hockey team should feel obligated to participate in any publicity stunt for the army. I would encourage Mr. Bouchard to take action against Mr. Beaulieu and the team. As for the government and the military, if anybody needs our help, it is the people of Haiti and Darfur!

I think the Saint-John coach went out of bound by doing what he did. Although I support our troops, I still believe that it is the right of every Canadian to express his or her own opinion. If the player in question did not support the war over seas, i truly believe he had every right to refuse to sign that flag. I'm just wondering if the action of the coach is legal.

the coach did the right thing the mediea has blown this way out of wack he did not get released for not signing the flag he was cut because he was not playing the way the team needed him to play Defencive hockey. I think the mediea should not jump to conclusions so dam fast just because it will look good on the news and stir up contervisy
look into stuff first then print the correct info!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jacques Beaulieu, as presented, is a fascist. He clearly does not understand the meaning of freedom of anything, least of all speech, and is way off the mark on the meaning of the words morality and ethics. Does this character really exist in Canada? Surely this is a setup? My biggest fear is that this character is real and, aside from the hundred or so people who've spoken out in this column, Canadian "sportsmen" agree with him. Lesson learned: Never say it could never happen here.

What ever happened to our Canadian backbone with regards to "freedom of speech"...that kid should be congratulated for standing up to what he believes in and for showing that many patriotic Candaians do not support our position in Afganistan.
That team has an apparent losing record on and off the ice. Very sad indead.

The coach broke the law, where in his mind is the freedom of speach? the player may not agree with the descition of sending troops to fight overseas; but: does he or his parents pay federal taxes? -if he or they do that, he support our troops in a good way (with dollars to buy the needed new equipment).

Please: don't mix politics with sport!
Coach you are wrong!!!

Dave Bouchard was in no way part of the Sea Dogs plans beyond the Christmas trade deadline. For those wondering why he was not cut for poor performance before this incident, it was because the team was hoping someone would cough up a late round draft pick, but they couldn't even get that.

As a 20 year old he is supposed to be one of the better players on the team, and a leader. He was none of these for the last month or more. All his points came at the start of the year with no production recently at all. He leads the team with the worst plus/minus rating we have. He was supposed to be a "grinder" style of forward, but I can't remember him throwing a big hit at all, all year, and a times would shy away from the boards in the defensive zone if it would mean taking a hit to get the puck out of our end.

Add in some off-ice issues such as being out late on nights before games and it's clear to see why he was on his way out. Even Bouchard said he had no problem with signing the flag (something which the Canadian Armed Forces asked if the team would have the players do by the way). His refusal to sign it just caused another problem in the dressing room. He was off the team Saturday night, but showed up at the Sunday afternoon game in Moncton, sat in the stands for a while, then promptly ran to the RDS reporters there to state he was released because he wouldn't sign the flag. This of course sends the reporters after Beaulieu for comments, after a game which the Sea Dogs just lost 10-2 and was chalked full of penalties and bad plays and calls.

All Bouchard's refusal to sign the flag did was cause the team to decide to let him go immediately instead of holding out hope someone would waste a draft pick on this guy. That keeping him around any longer would just create more problems and keeping him around any longer wouldn't be worth anything they might get in return from another team.

I believe we are on a slippery slope of giving up our civil liberties and one's freedom of speech by condoning the firing of this young man from the hockey team. Because one disagrees (and we don't know this )with our government's policy of sending our troups to Afghanistan that one person "A coach" who may hold diferent views can act in this manner and make a decision on his own personal belief. What right does he have ?

I believe that the young man involved should be returned to his team and that the coach be given a suspension and a course in civil liberties.

Yes! How can you not do enough for Our troops overseas? Something as simple as sending them a note or in this case a Canadian flag, letting them know we think of them. Remember who maintains our freedom

This has nothing to do with refusal to sign a flag in support of our troops.
This really has nothing to do with individual rights and freedom of speech.
His freedom to speak is too free and at OUR expense. (Listen to the media)
The media is gullible and falling for the incredibly ability of this individual to manipulate the forces of reporting to make the coach and others look bad.
And it certainly has nothing to do with a player being treated unfairly.
This has more to do with a player that is underperforming and being a nuisance, and the coach and hockey mgmt. saying enough is enough. And when he finally realizes that he has pushed the coach and others too far and it's about to have a negative impact on him personally, he reaches out to the media.
To the media and others the meaning of Team and Teamwork has to be understood. Refer to the dictionary.
Let's not redefine the meaning of Team and expectations, for an individual that has the ability to manipulate others. He has learned that it's easy to get support for a cause through the media. His objective is for, personal gain at the expense of the league, his team, his coach and hockey in general.
Shame on him and the media.

Our men & women are fighting overseas and, whether or not this man agrees with the decisions of the government, cannot honor them at least that little amount?

Why do groups find it necessary to autograph the beautiful symbol of our country. I don't like to see people deface our flag, in fact I thought it was against the law. In the case of the hockey team wouldn't an autographed hockey jersey be more appropriate?

I find it hard to accept that Mr. Bouchard's fredom of speech has been infrindged upon. He expressed his beliefs and those beliefs have been disseminated far and wide BECAUSE he was fired.

He did face consequences for his beliefs. People lose their jobs all the time because of their beliefs. Nobody cried foul when Jimmy the Greek got fired for his comments on blacks, not too many people were upset when Ernst Zundel went to jail for denying the holocaust.

Apparently nobody cared that their freedom of speech was violated. The only difference I see is that Mr. Bouchard's actions were much more politically correct.

The issue is not whether the player was performing well or not. No one would think twice if he was dismissed for poor performance. That's hockey.

Why make his dismissal political by raising the issue of support for our troops at all? This is simply bad judgement on the part of Mr. Beaulieu and his statements to the media are disturbing.

If I worked for the Sea Dogs management I might consider this kind of employee to be a bigger liability than an underperforming player. It would definitely warrant consideration.

Also, a few posters here actually seem to be defending Mr. Beaulieu's actions on the basis of Mr. Bouchard's poor performance. If his performance was so poor, why not simply be honest with him and dismiss him on that basis?

For the record, according to the QMJHL standings, The Sea Dogs currently have a losing record of 10-23-2. They have 107 goals for and 179 goals against. In other words, everyone on this team has a minus rating. Simply saying that he is -22 and therefore deserves everything he gets is absurd.

Since when has signing a flag been the requirement to play on a sports team?

What freedom are our troops fighting for if not for an individual to have the right to agree or disagree without repercussions.

Whatever happened to this "tolerant Canada" that we've been we live in?

It appears that the rules have been changed partway through the season. I suggest that the team focus on hockey and not on social intimidation.

Even if the player simply did not wish to sign the flag (a detail which seems in doubt), as long as he refused in a respectful manner, the coach should accept his decision - not agree but accept.

A hockey coach shouldn't be able to enforce their own morality in just any situation they choose. I realize that coaches play a large part in developing the character of these kids but I think this situation far exceeds the scope for the use of that authority.

Lastly, for those who are saying "well..we're looking at this in isolation and there could have been other contributing factors - maybe his play wasn't up to snuff.." Well, that's not the reason the coach gave for cutting him was it?

People make things far too complicated. Should any person be punished by his/her employer (or anyone else) for not supporting a particular cause, no matter how patriotic it may be? I would hope not.

As far as I knew, our troops fought and died to protect ours and others freedom of speech.

One could say that the current backtracking being done by the SeaDogs is indicative of an organization trying to cover for a mistake.

First let me say The Team was wrong to sanction this player based on signing a flag or not. But the more ridiculous and less understandable point of this whole thing is that it was the LEAD story on CBC news last night and just another example of Peter Mansbridge trying to create news rather than report it.

This player had a right to be judged for his playing ability and team esprit de corps. I have coached and played hockey for many years and anybody that thinks this coach made this decision without imput from the GM or owner knows little about Junior hockey.

The team should apologize to the player for not being honest as to the reason he was not of value to the team anymore. Quite simply Junior teams do not want a 20 year old underperformer on the team.

As for Peter Mansbridge and CBC, let me be totally honest about what I think. The CBC and many of its senior people and broadcasters have taken on the self appointed role of being critical of just about everything they touch and trying to shove their point of view on the listeners rather than giving us the credit to have brains enough to judge the facts for ourself.

Come on Peter surely there were more worthwhile lead stories of importance than this, and there is little doubt in my mind you were the one that chose this story. Time to retire Peter.

I agree in the freedom of the individual.
It is my understanding that the player, Dave Bouchard, said that if it were a Quebec flag he would sign it but he would not sign a Canadian flag.

My perspective is that, Bouchard should have signed the flag and wished the troops a safe return. What was the harm is there in him signing the flag?

By signing the flag Bouchard isn’t indicating anything other that his good wishes for the troops.
When Bouchard didn’t sign the flag because it was a Canadian flag but said that he would have signed a Quebec flag, he moved the event from a freedom issue to political issue. He could have simply refused to sign the flag and said no more.

Bouchard’s actions lead me to think that he is a troublemaker. Outside this particular issue, if he is a troublemaker then it may be legitimate to terminate him for that reason.

I applaud the Saint John Sea Dogs for their support of the troops. However, the Saint John Sea Dogs need to remember what the troops are over in the Middle East are doing. They are working at getting people their freedom.

Bouchard needs to grow up and be responsible for his actions (or lack of action). People want rights and freedoms but most forget that you first have to take on responsibilities to legitimately claim those rights and freedoms.

He needs to remember that Canadian soldiers fought and died to give him the freedom he enjoys today – in particular, the right to support the Quebecois. He needs to respect the men and women overseas who are risking their lives so others can enjoy the same freedom he does.

In the end Bouchard made himself a liability to the Saint John Sea Dogs by his action and words. He offended a great number of people by not signing the flag and making his comments.

The team has the right to terminate him for this reason – not for what he did, but for making himself a liability to the team.

Pasted below: Press release touting the anti-discrimination policy recently adopted--seems it has been forgotten in less than a week!!

BOUCHERVILLE, Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - During the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Board of Governors meeting, which was held in Quebec City last Thursday, the Governors ratified an anti-discrimination policy. The policy is aimed at providing a sound working environment in which every individual is treated with respect and dignity. As such, the policy is applicable to all QMJHL and team staff, including officials, agents, officers, directors, managers, coaches, trainers and players, and to all members of the public who participate in any given QMJHL game, event or activity as a spectator or otherwise.

"The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is committed to enforcing this zero tolerance policy to ensure a working environment without discrimination," declared the Commissioner, Gilles Courteau. "Each and every individual has fundamental rights that must be respected, and we aim to ensure that they are."

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League entirely subscribes to these fundamental values under which every person has a right to a full and equal recognition and exercise of his human rights and freedoms without distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, gender, color, religion, language, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, handicap or social condition.

People on this forum seem to confuse "Supporting the troops" with "supporting the war". One is patriotic, the other is political.

I believe that we all can, and should, support our troops regardless of our feelings about the war. I know Jacques personally, and he is someone who stands strongly for his beliefs.

Last year, he was personally responsible for bringing the London Knights to our town for a benefit game to assist a local man suffering from cancer, yet he neither sought, nor received, publicity for this, in spite of the fact that over $60,000.00 was raised. For people to crucify him over this, especially under the circumstances, is simply wrong.

People also seem to forget that the player himself is saying he does support the troops, so it is not an issue of that player's freedom of expression.

It is an issue of discipline against a player who, apparently out of spite for his coach, refused to join his team in making a unanimous gesture to our troops.

The coach's over-the-top response to the flag issue makes me wonder if he is an abusive bully who is incapable of providing the measured guidance and authority a good coach ordinarily would.

His overall attitude towards his players should be thoroughly investigated, whether he is fired or not. This incident may be symptomatic of a deeper problem.

The coach appears to have made a heavy-handed decision based on his subjective opinion, not for more objective and legitimate operational reasons.

Therefore, he should be disciplined after all parties have had a chance to tell their side of the story to the appropriate authorities.

This whole issue is about a player going to the media and complaining that they canned him for not signing the Canadian Flag, in reality it's not. He's bitter because he was being traded. He's a -22 player, and was a cancer inside the locker room.

How would u like it if you were the coach, and your players started going to the media and telling half truths. If that's the way he acted in public with the media, imagine what he was doing in the locker room!

Glad he's gone!

More information can be found on The Dog Pound. The Unofficial Forum of The Saint John Sea Dogs. http://www.saintjohnhockey.proboards24.com

Seems like Canadians are starting to emulate the American way of life more and more ever day. Soldiers died in WWI and WWII to protect our freedoms and choices. Whether or not this player wanted to sign a message or not isn't the issue at all...it's the coach's reaction that is the real issue at hand.

What people forget when it comes to troops fighting in a war zone is that you can be FOR the troops but against the war. There is a huge difference.

This coach was way out of line. Sadly, similar situations like this all over the country, both past and present. In my mother's day, refusing to salute the flag in school was grounds for expulsion. In my day, declining to wear the poppy will get you some snyde remarks. People need to live and let live.

Unbelievable and scary. If this young man decided not to sign anything for any reason that is his democratic right as a Canadian citizen. I hope he takes his case to court and sues both the team and coach. This behavior by a coach and a team is deplorable Secondly it is very disrespectful to deface a Canadian Flag and I believe the coach and team again exercised poor judgement.

Thirdly this is not sound moral ground for the coach or the team. I personally do not consider this war or Canada's participation in the same to be on sound moral ground and I am very distressed that the spin doctors and others have created such conditions so that citizens can be dimissed and marginalized by others who would do well to study what democracy, human rights and freedom really are.

As a retired member of the Canadian Forces, I would be very surprised if any current or former member of the Canadian Forces felt that Mr. Bouchard should have been “required” to sign the Flag. Canadian Force members know that they are serving Canadians….All Canadians…and that service is partly to ensure that every Canadian has the freedom to make a choice on his or her own political beliefs. The Coach definitely does not see what the Forces do, or protect. As a final note, The Canadian Flag is sacred. Most Canadian Force members would be very surprised to see that a person is punished for NOT defacing it.

I hope the powers-that-be in hockey fire this coach. His posturing about his 'morals' in interview were quite repulsive to this viewer.
A highly immoral way to remove a player who may, or may not, be up to scratch. Also agree with commenter who noted that scribbling on the flag is defacement of that symbol.

As Canadians we have a right to freedom of choice and expression. If the coach was looking for a way to send the player packing, it was a poor poor way to do so, you have just opened a BIG can of worms. I hope you have the shoulders and the support when push comes to shove.

I would also like to see comments from political figures as well as Don Cherry on the subject, or maybe Coaches Corner on Saturday will shed light on Don's feelings.

Send the coach back from whence he came.

I would expect any democratic loving person to boycott this team for the decision made by the coach and owners.

We don't need this type of organization that embraces this type of hatred of our freedom in any part of this great nation. Our fathers and grandfathers fought the Nazi's to stop this type of outragous behaviour.

I believe the Coach was acting correctly in that he was trying to promote Team-work within The Sea Dogs hockey team.

One player deciding not to sign because of his morale beliefs breaks down team cohesion. If this same player decided not to check because he had Anti-violence beliefs, would he be cut from the team? Of course!

This issue has nothing to do with being a team player. The player has an inalienable right to think and express himself free of fear and prejudice.

This coach, however, has assaulted our charter of rights and freedoms and I hope that the player takes his case all the way to the Supreme Court.

Someone in a middle eastern country once said "you're free to think as you wish and you're free to express yourself. But you must think about what happens after you express your opinion."
It appears it's no different here in Canada. At least according to this coach.

"A Serviceman" claims here that if we "do not support our troops, we wouldn't be enjoying our freedoms." That claim is absolute BS and has been used for years to brainwash and intimidate our people.

Are you actually suggesting that if we pull our troops out of Afghanistan, we won't have the rights and freedoms that we otherwise do? That's absolutely preposterous!

The problem with that kind of thinking is what gets us deeper and deeper into a quagmire. Our commitment in Afghanistan was foolishly changed to a combat mission.

This in turn has a dual effect: 1) As our casualties rise, our politicians claim that in order to honour those who gave their lives, we cannot stop now and we must "finish the job," which only gets us into a vicious cycle; 2) it frees up the Americans to redeploy their troops elsewhere to wreak more havoc.

What's even worse is that "A Serviceman" claims in a sense that anyone in Canada who doesn’t support this mission must give up his rights and freedoms that these troops are supposedly protecting there in Afghanistan. If so, then what are they protecting? The rights of the few who do support them? Isn’t this blackmail?

Polls show that the majority of Canadians do not support the mission in Afghanistan the way it is now, nor do they think it's "winnable." We could support our troops by changing their role to a more traditional peacekeeping mission or bringing them home.

What's next? Firing someone because they didn't vote for the "correct" political party?

I hope this player sues the coach, team & league. This is embarrassing to a country that is supposed to be a mature, free-thinking democracy.

I guess that as a hockey fan, the Sea Dogs and their sponsors either expect me to unconditionally live up to their morals and standards or they will not welcome me to purchase tickets or other goods and services.

Fair enough... I'll take a pass on them next time I'm in Saint John.

btw, what happens next week when the coach says everybody must go to church or your fired.

i am very pleased while reading the comments here. It appears that most people truly know the cost and benefits of freedom in this country. the players refusal demonstrates democracy, the coacha and owners decision do not

I am afraid it appears that "patriotism" is being carried far past the limits with this coach.

The player has every right to his option of not signing the flag. I also resent my flag being used as a backdrop for autograph seekers or any other forms of marking or defacing.

It is time we return to the ideals Canadians have always held so dear in being able to express ourselves in free speech without fear of being branded unloyal or against the troops.

We hear that daily over the airwaves from elsewhere, and this "all for one no matter what" mentality is not something I want to embrace!

The coach took it too far. It reminds me of when I was 17, juggling school and hockey.

I was studying for some finals and could only make it to the arena 45 minutes prior to a game. Coach had a rule that we had to show up 1 hour before the game or we were benched. I wasn't even allowed to dress with my team.

I lost all respect for him.

Coach should be fired, team should be sued. Those who died for our right to voice our opinion will be rolling over in their graves. I hope this young man sues this team and the coach. This person should be banned from coaching anything in this or anyother country. If I lived in this community I would not support this team whatsoever.

I'm sorry, are we in the Unites States!?!
I think Mr. Beaulieu should be fired for forcing his "views" upon his players.

A hockey dressing room should be about hockey, not politics, religion, or wars. I blame the owner and the coach and they should be ashamed.

No I think that the coach while well intentioned may have been over zealous. We all agree that Patriotisim and teaching our children respect and values, these are all good things. Opinions on national policy or support for war they have no place in hockey. The freedom of expression (or lack of it) is one of the freedoms that our military has always fought to protect. The fact that the coach tried to make the player sign something under duress (flag, contract, etc.) that is wrong.

PS. Speaking of patriotisim we really are not supposed to make any marks on the Canadian flag. it is considered defacing it.

The BS put out by this 'coach' implicitly involves the alleged freedoms that Canadians are defending in Afghanistan.
Don't those freedoms include freedom from being forced to do what you don't feel like doing?

My comment is in response to one made by reader Mark Pokorski who stated, "In trying to honour our armed forces, the Sea Dogs instead owe them an apology for their attempt to indoctrinate conflicting values in their name. Truly despicable behaviour,".

Mr. Pokorski may be interested to know that it was a military unit - based at CFB Gagetown, where the Sea Dogs posed with soldiers and the flag in question - that suggested our troops would appreciate such a gesture. I respectfully submit that these men and women honour our flag with their bravery and sacrifice. As a Canadian, this means more than conventionial practices of proper display, proper folding, etc.

This coach demonstrates an unbelievable level of expertise in B.S.
I just can't believe it! Are you still allowed to have opinions in this country or do you have to sell your soul to get what is merely a job?
Disgusting!

As a former U.S. marine (0341 mortarman, 1985-88, Camp Lejuene,N.C.) and a person who lived in Montreal for 2 years I want to say that dissent is a good thing when the policy is bad. Canada, hockey, and real free thinking go hand in hand for me. The coach's actions tarnish true liberty. And hockey for that matter. And personally I think saying support the troops is foolish. The troops aren't angels. They're soldiers. Some good. Some bad. People need to quit waving the flag and start filling their minds with information. The war's are about resources. When Mr.Bush says freedom he means oil.

Ridiculous and outrageous.
The man is a coach of a hockey team, not the general of an army.

This totally un-Canadian action belies the supposed voluntary goodwill sending of greetings, and certainly confirms that these "gestures" are mandated from the top, similar to the wearing of poppies by ALL TV personalities one and even two weeks prior to Remembrance Day.

This decision by the coach, quite apparently supported by team management, should make all recipients of such greetings doubt the complete sincerity of those who send them, to the detriment of the honest ones, and cheapens them all.

It's exactly this type of pressure to "conform or else" attitude that leads to the hazing rituals gone bad stories we hear about every year.

If you want to cut a player because of attitude detrimental to the team or poor performance, fine, do it. But cutting a player because he does not vote the way you vote - I smell lawsuit and possibly federal level discimination charges.

I would like to remind Mr Beaulieu that he is neither the coach of the Soviet hockey squad, nor a coach in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, where his kind of behaviour would have been the norm. I hope Mr Beaulieu knows a whole lot more about hockey than about the concepts of freedom of thought and freedom of expression, else the Sea Dogs are in real trouble.

No person in Canada should be forced to sign something like that unless they believe in it themselves.

The troops are fighting for freedom and the least we can do is safeguard the right to free speech & expression here at home for them.

This coach should not have the right to unilaterally kick a player off the team because the player does not do what he is told to regarding an issue that has nothing to do with hockey or even because the coach just doesn't like the kid. Which is what this sounds like.

I certainly hope that the player appeals and wins his place on that or another team and that the coach is dismissed.

In supporting the troops you are not necessarily supporting the mission. He is one of those fools who enjoys his freedom because of the brave deeds and actions of others. Do not confuse Afghanistan with the American involvement in Iraq.

I believe that the coach should be fired. I also believe that the player should be reinstated.

We do have something that is called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Perhaps the coach does not understand that.

Furthermore, saying "I support our troops" is like saying I support PEI. It's a useless slogan used to water down the real truth, which is, "I support the war in Afghanistan" or wherever it happens to be next.

Individual expression is the hallmark of a real democracy. The fact that my statement makes it onto this website is a testament to that. But to say that this is about morals is another one of those things designed to twist a mind into the sumbission of someone so indoctrinated in the "Policy" that do not see their actions as wrong, they in fact see them as moral.

That is the nature of our Democracy.

The Coach says he is supporting the troops because they are fighting and dying for what he calls "our freedoms". Just exactly what freedoms does he think they are fighting and dying for? His attitude seems to be an all too familiar one in our hemisphere these days - to preserve freedom and liberty you must saacrifice freedom and liberty. How can he not see the hypocracy in that?????

I would wonder if the coach is also directing players whom to vote for, what stores they must purchase from, what soda beverages they can use... what an outrageous abuse of power and a terrible disrespect to our flag.

I consider myself a patriotic Canadian and proudly support our troops overseas. But should hockey and politics be mixed together? I think not?

Fire the coach! He's there to coach hockey, not to subject his "moral standards" on players with issues that have nothing to do with playing hockey.

The coach was wrong, especially if he espouses freedom of speech.

This is not World War Two
Our security is NOT in jeopardy.

While I would have signed the flag to support the soldiers (not necessarily the policy) the coach's action makes Canada seem more like a dictatorship.

Shame on him!

This isn't about the flag, or penalties or the "war". This about the hockey line that must be toed, boys.

Let's go eh, boys?

Everybody just the same and nobody stands out, boys.

Just happy to be part of the team and just glad to the get two points and individualism is trouble and canucks blend in, boys.

It has nothing to do with anything else, except in the rationalist mind of a conformist coach in small town, small "c" conservative, Canada.

Still, I like watching Cherry, though he'd probably flip me off.

What a disgusting and vile thing to do to a young man who is articulating his own personal beliefs.

It's the old George Bush mentality of you're either black or white, with or against. People have a right to be against a war just as much as being for one.

The coach and organization are showing their true colours, red necked bigots that try to crush those that oppose their viewpoint.

There is only one road to war and many roads to peace. We just haven't explored them because the industrial military complex is to profitable to the corporations and the spin doctors that sold the public on this unjust war. One of many.

To "blackmail" a political opinion from a young man...very dangerous precident indeed...

The young man should seek legal council as it would seem his rights have been trod upon.

I respect our troops, but I will not support them in a mission that is clearly about the strategic control of resources...

Had I had been the coach I would have slapped myself in the face for even thinking of doing such a selfish and unreasonable action. It was the player's choice to voluntarly withdraw his name from the flag therefore it's not about any movement's action nor is it a protest, it was simply his choice. So why are we not repecting this right?. I do salute the many troops in Afgahnistan but I would rather fly the flag in my backyard upside down than to sign my name on it

This could be just a publicity stunt for the hapless Sea Dogs, who are not worth boycotting since no one attends their games anyway.

It HAS to be a publicity stunt- since no coach could be this idiotic and still be able to find his way to the rink.

Wow!...did Beaulieu get this one wrong! It is almost too much to even comprehend!

What has he done? If the club owners choose not to fire him for this, then the team must and should be boycotted. We live in a democracy but it appears that this is only the case as long as you don't disagree with someone farther up the ladder! That is called a dictatorship.

Put this kid back in hockey with an apology, and hope to god he doesn't sure you Mr.Beaulieu!

I am embarrassed to be a Canadian!

FYI, Dave Bouchard had 23 points in 34 games with 65 penalty minutes this season. Kind of low for a 20-year old forward in the QMJHL.

The coach did not act correctly. But the final decision is not ours; that belongs to the general manager, president and owner.

As per the Department of Canadian Heritage on the Dignity of the Flag (and as any schoolchild knows)...

"The National Flag of Canada should not be signed or marked in any way"

http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/etiquette/2_e.cfm

Hello Coach Hitler,

Last i checked its the most important right of every Canadian to have freedom of expression and belief and not be reprimanded from their daily living because of it.

He did not make a big deal about it, just didn't sign a flag. If you are so hardcore about going to kill people overseas join the military not our national winter sport.

There is no room in Canada for authoritarians like you and your whole community should be ashamed at your headcase actions.

I'm glad you didn't pull that in my community and I hope people outside of Canada realize it was ONE idiot treating an employee like that and that you are the exception not the standard here in Canada , where yes your right to choose is valued first and foremost.

I hope that kid sues you for wrongful dismissal and if you wanted to get rid of him you should have done it in the proper fashion, because like it or not you don't have to support the military to play hockey. I'm pretty sure thats not a BFOR.

Signed,

One disgusted Canadian.

I support the coach 100%. He should be proud that he took this stand. We need more people to stand up and support these men and women.

People may not support the mission { I do} but they at least need to support our troops who are living a hell that most of us cannot even imagine. They are doing this because our country sent them there.

I believe for good reason. to try to free the people of Afghanistan from a bunch of barbarians that will kill their own to keep from educating their women, who continue to oppress their people and try to keep thei people in the stone ages. We need more people to take this type of stand for what they beleive in.

I can understand where this coach is coming from. He is likely old school and believes that public organizations outside of the military should have an automatic respect for the military. Makes perfect sense to me too, to support a 'home team' but just because the mission the military is undertaking does not appease everyone there is room for the idealists to gripe. Unfortunately, Mr. Beaulieu will likely be turned into a whipping boy for the rightwing peanut gallery.

We, as Canadians, cannot allow this "support our troops" movement to become a vehicle to simply stamp out opposition to Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, as it has been and is in the U.S. This has severe polarizing effects, which may be the point of it all I fear.

Why is it always the very people who shout the loudest about supporting this war and claim that we are "spreading freedom", seem to fall short in supporting those ideals at home.

Coaches are there to teach hockey not morals. His title should in no way allow him to dictate his opinions in politics.

The fact that this got a write up just draws attention to someone who should have been written off the moment he opened his mouth.

Even if you agree with him, his tactics are scoring low. What does it say about the community that this is newsworthy? Hopefully that it was a slow news day and our rush of gunplay has quieted down.

Being a former resident of Saint John I am ashamed to say that Mr Beaulieu's actions have made the Saint John organization look absolutely ridiculous. How does this make the team look for those players who will be returning after the holiday and especially for those who will be new to the team? If this issue was not the main reason for Mr Bouchard's departure then why was it even mentioned?

Why are people surprised by this? There is no respect anymore for people who disagree with us. If someone disagrees with us these days then we launch ourselves into name-calling tirades.

People who are against same-sex marriage are now attacked and villified. There is no respect for a difference in opinion.

Look at some of the previous topics and read all the vitriolic hatred towards the United States. Is that respect for a different opinion?

University campuses, which used to defend free speech, are now censoring anyone who doesn't agree with political correctness.

A Jewish leader cannot even set foot on a Quebec campus anymore without being attacked. Pro-Life groups are being banned at Carleton University by the student association.

Unfortunately the illusion that our society cherishes freedom of speech is becoming a charade. Our tolerence for those who dare to disagree with us is quickly becoming a forgotten ideal of the past.

It's a fine gesture to send the Canadian troops a Canadian flag signed by the team, but Jacques Beaulieu is fooling himself if he thinks he believes in freedom of expression.

He seems to believe in freedom of expression only if he agrees with what is being expressed.

Does he make these rules up on a whim? Are players told they must obey his dictates when they join the team?

He said, "Morally, we have standards with this hockey team and that's a standard that we believe in." What standards is he talking about? It's not at all clear what he's talking about.

I think the coach behaved like an intolerant bigot and should be the one kicked off the team, not Dave Bouchard.

The kid should sue.

The actions of this coach are an absolute disgrace and should not be acceptable in a free society. Who made this man lord and master over his players? This is the kind of thing I would expect to see reported from George Bush's America, not Canada. The bottom line is that the wrong person got fired from the team.

Coach Beaulieu is out of line pure and simple. Whether Dave Bouchard supports the troops in Afghanistan or not has nothing to do with playing hockey. However, Coach Beaulieu actions are not unlike the repression our troops are fighting in Afghanistan.

Moral decision?

Morally bankrupt I'd say.

In trying to honor our armed forces, the sea dogs instead owe them an apology for their attempt to indoctrinate conflicting values in their name. Truly despicable behavior.

In trying to show patriotism, the sea dogs instead owe Canadians an apology for defacing their national emblem.

One things for sure, I won't be attending another Sea Dogs game until this player is reinstated, or this pompous, self-righteous, joke of a coach is canned.

The decision of this coach makes me question his ability to make well thought out decisions, to lead and/or to inspire, all necessary attributes for a coach.

Players come to consider their coach as a friend, someone they can trust. I think this coach has violated the trust of all his players by the way in which he has spoken of this player in the media, discussing many personal aspects of his performance that should only have been for the ears of this hockey player.

I think Dave Bouchard should be re-instated and Jacques Beaulieu should be fired.

Unless something dramatic happened overnight, we still have a Charter or Rights & Freedoms in Canada ... and the Saint John Sea Dogs do not have the power or authority to overide it.

The entire Saint John Sea Dog organization should be hanging their collective heads in shame.

Yes, on the face of it this would seem to be a rather silly course of action. I am strongly opposed to this so-called war: however, the story does not reflect the player's on ice performance as a possible justification for the dismissal of the player. The fact that he did not sign the flag MAY have been a coincidence.

Jacques Beaulieu must be one very small-minded little Napoleon to suspend someone for their political beliefs. The only qualifications any hockey player is to know how to skate and hurt each other. Their private beliefs are their own business. This is typical of the coercion that happens when people who love war get even the slightest bit of power. Have a lousy Christmas, Mr. Beaulieu.

No, the coach did not make the right decision nor does he have the right to fire a Major Junior Team member.

The war is to kill people whether you like it or not and hockey is national past time....sport, fun, and living. Makes me wonder how many good hockey players have been fired one time or another because the coach has political beliefs. I am not against the war. But, this is hockey where we try to have some serious fun, not war.

Someone should write these quotes on Coach Beaulieu's chalkboard in the dressing room, for inspiration:

"A people which is able to say everything becomes able to do everything." ~ NAPOLEON Bonaparte, French general and emperor of France (1769-1821)

"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it." ~ Francois Marie Arouet VOLTAIRE
French philosopher and writer (1694-1778)

This is truly incredible. A hockey player who chooses not to support the political views of his coach is cut from the team. If the owners of the SeaDogs have any sense at all, they will reverse the decision and suspend the coach for his incredible lack of judgement.

You can't legislate beliefs but apparently he never learned that. I feel sorry for the young man who has been cut, but at least he can home with his head held high because he stood up for what he believed in and not what some junior league hockey coach tried to dictate.

This is a prime example of why hockey, as great a sport as it is, has the most trite and banal interviews in the history of sport - because from an early age their half-formed minds are under the sway of lunkheads like Beaulieu and David Frost, as well as the often stupid groupthink pressures that pervade in minor hockey.

I think one should support the troops but it's absurd that a jr. hockey player is being told to do this - or else. It also ignores the reality that support for the war is lowest in Quebec, where most of the players are from.

Based on the details that have come to light so far, I find this very troubling. If hockey players are expected to hold certain political beliefs, and are off the team if they don't hold or display those beliefs, then what has become of the principles that we are fighting for in the first place?

Ironically, it's ultimately an insult to our troops. They're fighting in Afghanistan for something that is being trampled upon in their name here at home. I appreciate the coach's motivation, but his decision needs to be reversed.

We always should support our troops even if we do not agree with their mission.

I also think this coach has no idea of what decomracy and freedom of experession is. His action is an insult to people who have foyght so hard to bring us the freedom we enjoy and take for granted.

But really, why his action is surpriing people. He is mirroring Canadian and United States government views. They think democracy is imposing our views on others.

Well said by 'A Soldier'!

That hit the nail on the proverbial head.

Canada is a free society, thanks in large part to sacrifices made by our military.

This minor hockey coach's decision disrespects their sacrifices.

Our troops are fighting a battle to provide a blanket of "freedom" that gives individuals the right of free speech and to hold their own oppinion.

To oust the player for not signing seems to be a contradiction. I'm a patriot, but I believe the coach went to far.

I am a soldier myself, set to deploy to Afghanistan in August 2007. While I am always pleased to see public support for my brothers in arms overseas(and hopefully, eventually myself as well), I am disturbed at this coach's actions.

I have not served 16 years in the Canadian Forces so that Canadians can have their opinions and beliefs dictated to them by minor authority figures.

Mr. Bouchard, I support your right to choose whether or not you support the Afghanistan mission, and I have taken a vow to defend that right with my life.

Mr. Beaulieu, please reconsider your decision to remove Mr. Bouchard from the team. We don't want insincere signs of support, given under duress. That's not what the Canadian Forces are about.

Personally I would pull the coach. What he says and how he acts is the most important single determinant of team "morality"

If the player didn't sign purposely he was expressing a right won for him by earlier generations of soldiers. If the coach thinks the player lied about his reason for not signing, the player has a right to defend himself BEFORE being judged. I

f the coach is just using this as a cheap way to 'motivate' or instill discipline, I refer to my first comment: namely pull the coach.

Wayne would tell you; it's just a game and players should be treated with some respect too.

Hmmmmm. I wonder where he stood with the team in terms of playing skills. I believe that someone should remind the DUM Coach that the troops are fighting for the rights of people to be free to make decisions.

He only want democracy for Afganistan? He should be kicked off the bench not the player kicked off the team.

This is the most absurd punishment I have ever read.

Although I applaud the team's patriotism for Canada and their show of support for our Canadian troops, I believe it is one thing to penalize someone for having bad character and it is another to punish someone for not signing a flag.

It's not like the player is openly hostile towards our country or that he refuses to stand for O'Canada which could pose as an image problem for the team, but failing to sign a flag? It bewilders me.

Clearly the definition that Beaulieu has for freedom of expression does not align with what probably most Canadians consider freedom of expression.

I myself support what the Canadian Forces are doing in Afghanistan, but I can respect those that do not support what we do out there.

I see no difference if my employer forced me to sign a petition that spoke against the mission in Afghanistan in order for me to keep my job.

I see the moral lesson here however, the cut off the team was wrong and contradicts everything that freedom of speech stands for.

I hope the soldiers that receive the signed flag learn of the story behind this and write a letter to the coach asking him to reconsider and let Dave play our national sport.

Unbelieveable!! In now way should this hockey player have been penalized for his actions of not signing the flag.

His reason, "he thought someone already signed it for him" is a good enough reason for not signing it, but even politically, if he chose not to sign it, not action should be taken against this man.

On the Government of Canada website, you can find a statement that says, "The National Flag of Canada should not be signed or marked in any way (A border could be attached to the outside edge of the Flag on which it would be acceptable to have signatures leaving the Flag itself untouched)."

The hockey team, in fact, should be penalized as a whole for defacing the flag! Again, unbelieveable and let me add, completely ignorant of our flag and our Canadian flag etiquette.

It's morally outrageous that this individual was kicked off this team for not signing the flag. So much for freedom of thought.

This hockey team should be reprimanded, never mind the player. It's a kneejerk reaction; they're not thinking this through rationally.

Hopefully this player is picked up by another team that is not running their team like a Gestapo foot squad. Thank You.

What right does a hockey coach have to dictate his player's opinion on the war.

If a player does not support the war he doesn't get to play junior hockey? This coach is the one that should be removed from his position for his totalitarian stance.

I cannot believe this story came out of Canada

While I am sure their hearts are in the right place, what the Saint John Seadogs has done is wrong in both intent and execution.

embers of the forces do what they do in order to protect our freedoms and rights. The Saint John Seadogs has acted in a manner that infringes on the rights of Dave Bouchard. Refusal to sign a flag (if he did) is no reason to be kicked off a team.

I also take issue with the method chosen to honour the troops. The Canadian flag is not a memento to be autographed, it is a state symbol.

The etiquette for handling the flag, as published by Heritage Canada and the DN Directory of History and Heritage (DHH) states:

1. The national flag of Canada should be displayed only in a manner befitting this important national symbol. It should not be subjected to indignity or displayed in a position inferior to any other flag or ensign;
2. The national flag shall not be used as a cover for a box, table, desk, podium or other object, carried flat or horizontally. It should always be aloft and free, nor shall it be draped except on a closed casket. It should not be signed or marked in any way;
3. When the national flag is being hoisted or lowered at a defence establishment, or when it is carried past in a parade or review, all military personnel within view shall halt, face the flag and pay compliments
4. When in civilian clothing personnel should face the flag, remove their hats as required and remain silent

The 'moral' standards of the team seem more to me like the moral stand point of the coach.

We, as a nation, would likely agree with his support of our troops. But this does not mean that the kid's playing ability is compromised because of his (unproven) lack of enthusiasm for signing a flag for the troops.

I do not personally believe it's the coach's job to can a kid for that kind of behaviour.

What if the coach supported prayers before a game, or practicing naked? We'd all be gathering our pitchforks if he fired the kid for one of those.

What are the soldiers fighting for? Where is the freedom of speech in this country?

I imagine that Jacques Beaulieu has his very own personal idea of freedom - his own impression. He should be the one fired from the team for this despicable act.

The coach said "he believes in freedom of expression but added that any player who refused to sign would have been kicked off the team".

Perhaps he believes in "freedom of expression" but simply doesn't know what it means!

"You are free to express whatever thoughts you like; here are the thoughts you will like."

Somebody should be fired from the team, alright, but it's not a player.

I was quite surprised to read that the Saint John Seadogs have a "moral" criteria for being on the team.

This criteria seems to demand players support the Canadian military efforts in Afghanistan. Many Canadian soldiers, past and present, who have fought for freedom of expression and personal beliefs as well as freedom from dictators would be horrified at this behaviour.

I would encourage the Seadogs and coach Jacques Beaulieu to reconsider kicking David Bouchard from the team.

Beaulieu says, "Morally, we have standards with this hockey team and that's a standard that we believe in,. I mean, if Dave doesn't believe in it, that's fine. But he won't be part of it. He won't be part of this organization. That's the standard that we set." (CBC)

It is not the coach's place on the bench or the team organization's place to be dictating whether a player should or should not support the troops.

It is not only inappropriate behaviour for a coach to kick a player off a team for not signing a flag, but it is against the charter of rights and freedoms that our soldiers have fought for over the years.

I'm sure the fans, the sponsorship partners and the bulk of the public agree. Many of us support the troops without blindly supporting certain aspects of the missions they are in.

Beaulieu should stick to hockey and leave his personal politics off the ice.

Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noel and all the best to the Seadogs in the New Year.

Although I am admittedly without all the details, I am upset with this story.

As a high performance coach myself, this is yet another black mark on Canadian sport. First, it is absurd to think that a requirement to be on a hockey team should be the visible support of our Canadian troops.

Second, what right does this coach have to deface our Canadian flag with signatures?

Mr. Bouchard will do well by leaving such an antiquated coaching staff, and move on to a team in the 21st century.

Mere words or not enough to express my dissapointment upon hearing about the young man who was let go from the seadogs because he did not sign the canadian flag that was being sent to our troops overseas.

Whether or not the kid meant to not, which was made a little unclear in the article, should hv no bearing on this kids status on this mis-managed hockey team.

The 'code of conduct' business that mr. Beaulieu seems to be relying for his defence of this issue, is weak and unsubstantiated. If indeed this young man refused to sign his name as a statement that he does not support Canada's involvment in this war,(a belief held by many in this country)then why in the name of all that is holy and good about this country, should he be punished for standing up for something he believes in.

If this young man, did indeed not sign because of his beliefs, thereby displaying true character, then isn't that the type of person one would want in thier organization.
Whats the real message here?

If this reflects the coach's view of what freedom of expression means, the hinterland of Afghanistan on the other side of the divide is where he belongs.

I’ve always thought of Canadians as fair minded and tolerant of other people. We do not force others to believe what we do.

We have our own minds and our country is great because of it. I could not believe what I was reading when I read this article. A 20 year old kid was kicked off of a Major Junior hockey team because he did not sign his name to a flag that was being sent to our troops in Afghanistan?

I support our troops, and think they’re doing a great job, but as the saying goes, “isn’t this what they’re fighting for?”

The Saint John Sea Dogs will be forever tarnished in my eyes as a result of a narrow minded individual who imposed his beliefs upon this kid.

My question is, if they’re placing ultimatums on these kids regarding the signing of a flag, what other ultimatums are these kids dealing with. “Do (insert command) or else you’re off the team”. Disappointing.

I was not aware that coaches are usually assigned the right to choose the politics of their players but perhaps I am not seeing the big picture here.

I am sure that Mr. Beaulieu can explain how not signing a flag directly impacts Mr. Bouchard's ability to skate, shoot and pass and therefore would warrant his removal from the team.

If not, I am equally sure he can explain how not signing a flag would be something akin to one of his players receiving perhaps a drunk and disorderly citation or even a speeding ticket because at least those are actions mentioned in Canadian law.

At the very least, Mr. Beaulieu should be able to tell us how not signing a flag will cause grievous harm to the public image and therefore finances of the team.

However, if he in fact cannot tell us any of these things then he has far overstepped his bounds, inflicted his political opinion on another individual and perhaps also affected future career prospects.

Assuming the Sea Dogs organization is as "moral" as it apparently claims to be then the removal of Mr. Beaulieu and the reinstatement of Mr. Bouchard seems the only option.

Well done Coach, more people should have your moral fibre

One hopes there is more that has not been reported.

The action, in and of itself, does not nearly merit the response. It may be simply an act of omission, in which case it can be excused as a simple error.

Or it may be a statement of position. Any time a person speaks out against armed conflict, barring other circumstances, they should be assumed to be taking the position that reasoned discussion should take the place of arming the citizenry and making murder lawful.

I support whole-heartedly the contention that an organization of men under development, particularly one in the public eye, should take a strong moral stand. But I cannot accept that the only moral position on war is in its favour.

I cry for the loss of our soldiers, and I love them all for putting themselves in harm's way for the benefit of others. We need to remember they are doing this to protect people against oppression. Who protects Dave Bouchard when he is oppressed?

I expect this situation came of some young man reasoning that nobody would know whether he signed his own name or another person signed it for him.

Whatever the cause, the team's response is grossly disproportionate, and abdicates the role they must take in the development of the character of these players.

Coach Jacques Beaulieu professes to be taking a moral stand, but shows poor judgment and low morals with this action.