Ottawa teen charged with assault after hockey hit

A teenage hockey player in Ottawa has been charged with assault in a hit on another player that happened during a game last fall.

Ottawa Police confirmed that they have charged a teenage boy with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon. Because of his age, the boy can’t be named.

The player who was hit is 16-years-old. His father told affiliate radio station 1310 NEWS, since the hit, he’s had vision problems which means he is unable to drive, let alone return to playing hockey.

The hit happened in Stittsville during a game at the Goulbourn Recreation Centre.

The player’s father declined a request for an interview, as the matter is before the courts.

Charges involving on-ice are not unprecedented.

“We’ve even seen it in the NHL, with some incidents that have gone before the courts,” said Ottawa police Const. Marc Soucy.

Ottawa police receive complaints about incidents at hockey games involving unruly parents, but charges involving players on the ice are rare.

“It’s very uncommon,” Soucy admitted. “Apart from this one that’s in front of the courts, I can barely recall any.”

However, Soucy said this particular incident involves more than just the hit.

“This incident is not just involving a hit. There’s more. Again that’ll come out in the court system. It all depends if it’s in the scope of the game or what we could see in the game,” Const. Soucy added.

Soucy said if actions go beyond of what’s expected in a hockey game, criminal investigations — and charges — can follow.