Hockey league suspends officials after kids' brawl

Two team officials with the Duffield Devils novice hockey team have been suspended by the Greater Toronto Hockey League for their conduct following an on-ice brawl involving eight-year-old players.

GTHL officials declined to reveal the identities of the hockey officials and would not divulge the specific positions they held with the team. The duration of the suspension, which was handed down on Monday, also remains unknown.

The entire Devils' coaching staff will appear before a special committee of the league's board within 10 days.

"At this time we're not making any further comments on it until the hearing has taken place," Scott Oakman, executive director of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, told CTV.ca on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on Nov. 23 during a tournament game between the Niagara Falls Thunder and the Duffield Devils in Guelph, Ont.

In a video of the incident, some of the young players are seen punching each other on the ice. The video, shot from the opposite end of the arena, then shows adults arguing on the bench and eventually scuffling.

It is alleged that one coach from the Thunder spat his gum at a coach from the Devils, said police. Guelph police say no charges will be laid in connection with the incident.

The suspension of the Devils' officials follows the weekend suspension of Niagara Falls Thunder assistant coach Randy Brant.

Richard Ropchan, executive director of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, told CTV.ca on Tuesday that Brant will not be allowed to participate in any form of minor hockey until likely the 2009-2010 season.

The suspension was issued by an investigative committee under the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, Ropchan said.

The Devils are part of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, while the Thunder belongs to the Niagara Falls Minor Hockey Association. Both groups fall under the Ontario Hockey Federation, which holds jurisdiction over amateur hockey in Ontario.

Citing privacy issues, Ropchan declined to give further details of the suspension but did confirm that Niagara Thunder coach Bob Chamberlain was reinstated after serving his four-game suspension stemming from the incident.

"I know this thing has taken on national attention and I've talked to our people about it, but we have to follow our policy," Ropchan said of the OMHA's privacy policy.

The Duffield coach was suspended for six games, and his assistants, trainers and manager were all suspended for three while the Niagara coaching staff was suspended indefinitely.

A total of eight children from both teams were suspended between one and three games each.

The game ended with the Devils winning 8-1 over the Thunder.