(Stewiacke) A cowbell incident reportedly caused a stir Saturday at a minor hockey game in central Nova Scotia, where a coach allegedly physically assaulted a referee during a game involving nine players. and ten years.
The Colchester County District of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed Tuesday that the coach involved in this incident is facing an assault charge in connection with this event.
Melissa Johnson was present on Saturday at this match which took place at the Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex, which is located in Brookfield.
According to her, the whole situation started when a player from the Cumberland Ramblers was awarded a major penalty for having solidly checked a player from the Brookfield Elks.
“It was a pretty strong check. The other player fell heavily on the ice,” she told The Canadian Press in an interview.
That’s when someone who was with the Elks fans threw a cowbell onto the ice.
According to Johnson, the referee then took the cowbell and threw it at the Brookfield team bench. However, the object would have hit the coach.
“I didn’t see exactly where the cowbell hit him,” she said. But all of a sudden, the coach came out of his bench, walked towards the other team’s side, and grabbed the referee and punched him on the helmet two or three times. Afterwards, he just went back to his bench. »
Ms Johnson admitted she was shocked by what she saw, as were other parents around her.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before — and I’ve seen it at hockey games. »
This alleged attack would also have created a shock wave among young hockey players.
“All the kids came out of the bench crying. They were scared,” she said.
“To see the fear on their faces, it was so overwhelming. No child should feel like this. »
The Elks coach had already left the arena when police arrived on scene. However, he himself surrendered to the authorities a little later, before being arrested and then released on a promise to appear at a later date.
Hockey Nova Scotia, the federation that oversees minor hockey activities in the province, released a press release confirming that this incident is the subject of an external investigation.
As for the coach in question, he has been suspended indefinitely, said federation spokesperson Garreth MacDonald. Psychological support was offered to the players and parents who witnessed the scene, he added.
For its part, the Colchester South Minor Hockey Association spoke of a “sad day” for its organization.
“We thank all of our caring coaches, dedicated referees and loving parents who make hockey a positive experience for young people,” the association wrote in a statement.
“Please be assured that we are working with all organizations involved. […] We are still the same association, with the same desire to do what is best for our children. »
