Teen hockey player charged with assault after on-ice hit

CTV Ottawa: Hockey hit leads to assault charge CTV’s Patricia Boal explains how a minor league hockey hit prompted police to lay a charge of assault.

CTV Ottawa has learned Ottawa police have charged a teenage hockey player after an on-ice hit during a minor league hockey game last fall.

Police say an assault occurred during the Nov. 8 game at the Goulbourn Recreation Centre in Stittsville.

A 17-year-old player was hit from behind. His parents said the hit caused their son to suffer from a concussion and whiplash.

The injured player has since been diagnosed with ocular nerve dysfunction as has been forced to quit all sports.

“We had such pleasure watching him,” the injured player’s mother said. “His dream was to play junior hockey. He won’t be able to do that now.”

Police say late last month, a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified due to his age, was charged with assault with a weapon, and assault causing bodily harm.

He also received a four game suspension from Hockey Eastern Ontario following a disciplinary hearing. Parents of the injured player say the penalty was inadequate.

Police say charges stemming from a minor league hockey game are quite rare. In this case, police say the suspect’s actions crossed a line between acceptable game behavior and a criminal act.

The matter is before the courts.