Former NHL player Andre Deveaux has been released from his Swedish league team Rogle BK after attacking an opponent before a Thursday night playoff game.
In a short video published Sunday, Deveaux, apparently unprovoked, skates to centre ice and delivers a brutal, two-handed slash to the legs of VIK Vasteras HK’s Per Helmersson. Deveaux then hits the back of Helmersson’s head before tackling him down to the ice.
Watch the video below:
Deveaux was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2002, making his NHL debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008. The enforcer also played for the New York Rangers during the 2011-12 season before moving overseas.
Though it’s unclear what provoked the attack, extended video of the on-ice warmups shows Deveaux speaking with one of the team’s coaches before attacking the unsuspecting Helmersson.
Some also speculate the attack was in retaliation for Helmersson hitting Deveaux from behind in the previous game.
Rogle BK has since released Deveaux, though the 31-year-old played in the final two games of the playoff series.
