Symbolic+framework

Symbolic frame:
o Hockey culture involved a lot of rough play in the past. o To prevent injuries, there are a lot of rules and regulations o Many leagues have a no violence policy o THE MAIN problem is that players cannot harm other players
 * - Culture:**

o Patrice Cormier was captain of Canada junior team in 2009- won gold o The symbolism of him being a star player makes him a hero that people look up to and keep track of- up coming junior star o If it were another player- it might have been a smaller deal o Extra attention to HIS hit- why? o Fame
 * Hero:**

o The symbolism of the YouTube video is him getting caught red handed- the hole world can see what he did and the results o The video is very graphic because it shows Mikael Tam convulsing o He could have simply gotten suspended but his reputation is ruined because of video.
 * The YouTube video**

o When a player hits another player, a foul is called o Full out fights occur and people watch- it is entertainment o When a player unnecessarily uses roughness and elbows punishment follows o Suspensions § Short period § Full year (pierce) o Penalties-2:00
 * Rituals**

o Legal action may be necessary in some people’s opinion and not in others o The symbolism behind actually stating that “legal action” will be taken o Makes Pierre look like a criminal, not an athlete.
 * Legal action:**

The symbolic frame takes a situation and looks at it through a very critical window. All of a sudden, the focus shifts from what happens within an organization t the meaning behind actions within an organization. Though this point of view many situations can have light shed on different aspects. Looking though the symbolic frame transforms the situation into a theatrical display in which there are two viewers. First, being the internal organization consisting of all the members of the organization from top management to bottom. The second perspective brings in the public and how others view the organization and its reputation. All the happenings within organizations now carry significance which is what the symbolic frame looks at. Some of concepts that the symbolic frame encompasses are heroes, symbols, and most importantly the culture within an organization. Analyzing the situation through the symbolic frame will definitely bring up a new and fresh perspective.

Culture within the organization

Looking at the incident through the symbolic frame shows many new sides to the story. The focus is shifted from what happened in n the ice between Cormier and Tam to what it means to the organization. The QMHL is a hokey league that deals with the same issue that every other hockey league has to deal with at some point and that is violence. The violence that occurs on the ice is not acceptable by the league because the league want to ensure that the players are safe while also creating positive image internally and externally. The elbows incident itself and the way the league deals with it are what define organization and its culture at the end of the day. The culture of junior leagues is mostly that of a training ground or a stepping stone for players to move up to a professional league like the NHL. The safety of players is highly sought out in order to make sure that players don’t get injured and live out their full potential on the ice. The players are fiercely out to get drafted while league managers are out to make sure the game is played in a professional and safe manner. One of the concepts that are a part of the symbolic frame is very applicable to Peirce Cormier and his hockey career. Within the hockey community he can be seen as a raising star. Many website and organizations se him as a rising prospect to look out for in the future. This makes him a hero within the junior league he is in because he is recognized for his hockey skills. In addition, his resume also has a gold and silver medal for the Canadian junior hockey team in which he was the captain. On the ice, he is seen as a head hunter because of his strong offensive skills and brutal defense which make him someone to look out for on the ice. He knows how to take a player out with a hit and knows how to. Although some players fear him, the public and coaches seek vicious players like Cormier because they provide a solid foundation for the team. It is common for every hockey team to have one or two players who are infamous for their aggressive playing style; a style that got him drafted to the New Jersey Devils in 2008 meaning that he is set out to go professional in2010. Within the culture at QMJHL he is someone that other players would look up to because he is a made man as he has already been drafted into a professional league. He can be seen as a definitive hero within the league that he was playing in because of his talent and track record.

Heros withing organizations

Patrice Cormier has an impressive list of accomplishment which put him in the spot light. That makes him a layer that everyone watches for on the ice and if he does something, it I noticed. The hit Cormier had on tam is a perfect example of an occurrence that get easily noticed. It also makes a popular headline externally and internally in the organization to hear that a very up and coming player makes an irrational violent hit. The spotlight that was on him in the organization turns quite sour because of his poor spirited actions as he hit Michael tam. The symbolism behind the captain of the Canadian national junior hockey team hitting another player with an illegal elbow on the ice is an absolute blow to the reputation of not only the QMJHL but to all Canadian junior hockey leagues. Cormier’s action are not something that the league would go easy on when they expect so much better from him beaus of his credentials.

On the other hand, Mikeal Tam is a player within the QMJHL that may have had a very bright future ahead of him. However, the incident with Cormier leaves Tam under the description of the victim. Tam is a fairly young player at the age of eight-teen who ha only been playing for three seasons when he was hit. He suffered a great deal as he faced a traumatic blow to the head that left him convulsing and also lost several teeth. The hit was hard but Tam walked out of the hospital the very next day. Although Tam was able to recover, the thought of what could have been much more serious is what is imprinted into the heads of all the viewers within and outside of the league. Tam’s career or life could have ended in tragedy and it seemed likely as well when reviewing the video of the incident. Tam is said to be very lucky to be recovering as fast as he did seeing that he could have been a victim of much more. The worries and thought’s in people’s minds for the victim create a lot of pressure for the organization to protect the futures for players like Tam. (http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2460533).

Organization as theatre

Another aspect of the case that plays a major role is the YouTube video of Cormier’s hit on Tam that has cycled through the internet. The YouTube video it self is a capture of exactly what happened in the ice that day. Cormier and Tam are about to pass each other in the centre when Cormier delivers a rough high elbow to Tam’s face. Mickeal Tam falls to the floor and lies motionless for a few seconds before he begins convulsing on the ground from the hard hit as fist aid personnel try to get him onto a stretcher and off the ice. The video can only be described as graphic in nature due to its violence and Tam’s convulsions. The video has become a very popular clip on the internet ranking in thousands of views from around the world. What this means for Cormier, Tam and the organization is that what happened on the ice has become a very public issue as all eye’s are on them and the incident. From the video, many hockey fans and families of players are shocked and seek immediate action against Cormier for his reckless actions. The QMJHL must act fast and appropriately because they are being watched very closely by the public over the elbowing incident. Without the video, the incident might have passed as a very isolated incident that remained in the internal sphere of the organization and leaving very few eyes watching. The organization’s actions to deal with the incident might have even been different if the video did not exist. Cormier might have had a lesser punishment for the hit on Tam because the seriousness of hit actions could not be viewed over and over again. That is why the video plays a very important symbolic role.

Overall, the symbolic frame best applies to the specific details of the incident allowing for a very thorough analysis. Through the frame the various aspects of the Peirce Cormier elbow to Michael tam are assessed and distinguished. The symbolic frame is best applied to increase productivity and improve an organizations reputation because symbolic practices carry the most meaning behind them. Viewing an organization through a theatrical perspective allows for the visible aspects of the organization to be judged. Basically what people inside and outside the organization see is what defines the organization. However, not all the visible parts of organizations are pleasant such as with the Elbowing incident within the QMJHL. Every organization must deal with their defaming and negative situations at some point. Looking through the symbolic frame at situations will allow for judgments that will help keep a positive reputation for any organization as the focus is not on what’s inside the book but ho well the cover is maintained.

[] His contract with New Jersey devils is unaffected