Right To The Point

I had a high school English teacher who was wise to the ways of writing essays. If one were assigned a 1000-word essay, this teacher would stress that writing in meandering sentences and without purpose would only lead to us losing marks. While brevity wasn't the goal, writing clearly and concisely was when one was attempting to make a point. No one liked a 2000-word essay when 1000 words would do, so don't fill lines on a page with words that don't help to make one's point.

It would seem Mercyhurst University is under the same direction as we were in high school as Mercyhurst issued a statement today regarding Carson Briere's future with the men's hockey program.

I'd say this decision wraps up Briere's entire college hockey career pretty nicely as Mercyhurst does the right thing. Yes, it took them longer to hand down this verdict than perhaps what we, the public, expected, but Carson Briere's college hockey career is essentially over thanks to a stupid decision that affected someone else's life.

Actions have consequences, and these are the right consequences following Briere's stupid actions and his rather unremorseful statement about his actions. Like his time at Arizona State, Briere's hockey career with Mercyhurst ends the same way: him being removed from the team.

For those saying that Mercyhurst went too far, give your heads a shake. This young man profoundly affected a young woman's life when it comes to her independence and her mobility. If you think that's nothing in today's world, ask someone whose mobility is affected by a disability. This isn't just a minor inconvenience, and I'm glad that Mercyhurst did the right thing by removing him from their hockey team despite it taking a lot longer than it likely should have taken. In the end, all's well that ends well.

As we know, Carson's dad is Daniel Briere who is currently the general manager for the Philadelphia Flyers, and it should surprise no one that Carson was invited in 2019 to skate at the Flyers' Development Camp. I won't say the window is closed for Carson Briere when it comes to his hockey career thanks to his dad's connection to the game, but the only place he may get to play in the future is with the ECHL's Reading Royals who are affiliated with the Flyers.

Of course, the hits could keep coming for Carson Briere as he's still scheduled to stand before a judge in an Erie, Pennsylvania courtroom on May 22 to plead his case in three charges - criminal mischief, criminal conspiracy to commit mischief, and disorderly conduct. I don't know how he'll plead with regards to the three charges, but it seems hard to believe anyone will give him benefit of the doubt after the video is played. If he doesn't plead guilty, I can't see anyone believing he isn't guilty of the charges against him.

At the end of the day, a foolish prank by some intoxicated men is costing at least one of them a college hockey career. It may eventually cost him a professional hockey career, and it likely will cost him some money in the form of fines for those misdemeanor charges above. When people talk about costly mistakes, Carson Briere's story should be front and center.

Actions have consequences. That's the point.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!