A criminal charge of assault against former Toronto Maple Leafs forward-turned youth hockey coach, Mikhail Grabovski, has been withdrawn by the Crown. The withdrawal of the single count comes six months after Grabovski, 42, was charged by York Regional Police with assaulting a man following a youth hockey game in Markham. After receiving input from the complainant, the Crown told the court that proceeding with the prosecution was no longer in the public interest. Grabovski, who played five seasons with Toronto and retired from the NHL about 10 years ago, was accused of confronting and attacking the coach of the York Simcoe Express, who was taken to hospital with what police described as minor injuries. Grabovski’s team was blown out 11-0 by the York Simcoe Express on the night of March 14, 2026. Grabovski was back on the ice Wednesday night in Markham running practice for his U16 AAA Waxers hours after learning his assault charge had been withdrawn, where parents told CTV News that they support their coach, who is now intent on putting the past firmly behind him with the start of a new season. Grabovski’s lawyer, Peter Brauti, issued a statement to CTV News on Thursday afternoon, on behalf of his client. “This was a very regrettable situation. It was a very minor altercation between coaches which took place after a heated game,” said Brauti. “That being said, Mr. Grabovski acknowledges that there is no place for such conduct in sport. He is committed to the values of minor hockey and setting a better example for others in the future.”
