Quebec press upset Alexis Lafrenière unable to respond to questions in French
There’s a growing story coming out of Quebec over an issue that occurred during a recent press availability for Alexis Lafrenière.
According to multiple reports, Jean-François Chaumont from the Journal de Montréal was in New York over the weekend for a story on Lafrenière. He waited for the English reporters to finish before asking his questions in Lafrenière’s native French, which is customary.
Alexis asked one of the members of the staff, “Can I answer in French?”
It was requested to keep it in English, likely for the benefit of the other press members in attendance. Chaumont, who Lafrenière has known for years, asked his questions in French with Alexis responding in English.
Quebec press up in arms over Alexis Lafrenière presser
While this isn’t getting much play at the moment in New York, the Quebec media is up in arms about Alexis being asked to keep his responses in English.
Sports 91.9 has generated a lot buzz discussing the incident, which took place on March 25 after the Rangers beat the Penguins 5-1.
However, it’s also gaining steam in Toronto media today.
Nick Kypreos brought it up on his radio show for Sportsnet 590. The notion that this is an edict that came down directly from President and General Manager Chris Drury had him most confounded.
“Don’t you trust your players for the most part to be careful (when answering a question),” Kypreos asked (1:37 of the video).
What happened is really not that uncommon. When a question is asked in another language it’s allowed to take place with the player giving the gist of what the interview was about.
There is always a concern that things won’t be translated appropriately, but these interviews happen all the time.
Note: Corrected game to Penguins not Sabres.
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