St-Hubert BBQ may ditch Canadiens after controversial draft choice
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Restaurant chain “surprised” by the team’s decision and considering pulling its advertisements at the Bell Centre.
Author of the article:
Katherine Wilton • Montreal Gazette
Publishing date:
Jul 26, 2021 • 13 minutes ago • 2 minute read • Join the conversation 
St-Hubert BBQ runs an annual contest with fans and advertises on the boards at the Bell Centre and Place Bell, where the Laval Rocket play. Photo by Gordon Beck /Montreal Gazette Article content
One of Quebec’s best-known companies is reflecting on whether to continue advertising with the Montreal Canadiens following the team’s controversial decision to draft Logan Mailloux.
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Mailloux, 18, asked that no NHL team draft him this year after it was revealed he had shown teammates a photo, taken without consent, of a young woman engaging in a sexual act with him while he was living in Sweden last year.
“This choice surprised us, and we are evaluating if we’re going to continue our partnership with them,” said Josée Vaillancourt, the company’s director of public relations.
“In 2021, with everything we have seen, with all the movements, we were actually surprised. Are they going to go back on their position or will they go forward and accompany the young man?”
Mailloux was charged with defamation and offensive photography and was ordered to pay a fine of about $2,100.
Senior executives at the popular restaurant chain discussed the Canadiens’ first-round draft choice Monday, but they haven’t had a chance to speak with senior members of the hockey team, including its owner and president, Geoff Molson.
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“We will take a few days to reflect on the situation,” she said. “We believe that everyone has a right to a second chance, but was it too early for him?”
The company is very family-oriented, so the situation isn’t ideal, she added.
Besides running an annual contest with fans, the company also advertises on the boards at the Bell Centre and Place Bell, where the Laval Rocket play.
Mailloux has apologized for his conduct and said he is seeking professional counselling.
He had issued a statement renouncing himself from this year’s NHL draft because of his conviction. The Canadiens drafted him anyway.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the defenceman read a statement in which he expressed regret for what he did to his victim.
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“I know I caused a lot of harm to this person and their family, and I regret doing this stupid and egotistical act,” he said. “What I did now is, unfortunately, a part of both her life and mine.”
Quebec groups helping women who have experienced sexual violence say the Montreal Canadiens are trivializing criminal acts by drafting a player with a conviction for victimizing a woman.
On Saturday, Isabelle Charest, the Quebec minister responsible for the status of women, said she was surprised and disappointed by the decision to draft Mailloux.
“The choice to draft Mr. Mailloux is not at all in line with the positive change in culture that I want to bring about in the sporting world and at the societal level,” she wrote on Twitter.
“Having exceptional athletic skills is one thing, but I truly believe that those who are part of (the NHL) should be role models, on and off the ice.”
kwilton@postmedia.com
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Habs’ selection of Mailloux ‘trivializes’ violence against women, groups say Share this article in your social network Advertisement
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