Patrice Cormier, the Thrashers' highly regarded prospect, had a court hearing on the assault charge he faces in Quebec delayed until Sept. 20.

Cormier was charged in May by the prosecutor in Rouyn-Noranda after an on-ice hit during a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game in January. The hit briefly hospitalized Mikael Tam and led to Cormier’s suspension for the remainder of the season. If convicted, Cormier faces up to 18 months in prison.

In a Monday hearing, Cormier’s attorney asked for a delay, saying he had not received all the evidence in the case for review.

Cormier, obtained by the Thrashers as part of the Ilya Kovalchuk trade with New Jersey, completed the team’s prospect development camp Tuesday. He will return to Atlanta for training camp in September. The new hearing date is scheduled several days after the start of camp.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream's Brittney Griner (42) shoots against Indiana Fever's Natasha Howard (6) and Aliyah Boston (7) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Credit: AP

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC