Readers warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence.
Men's league hockey is certainly no stranger to pushing and shoving. But when a player is lying in a pool of his own blood and the police get involved, there's now a serious escalation beyond the norms of recreational sports.
This was the scene at Joshua Creek Arena two weeks ago, on May 15, during an Oakville Recreational Hockey League (ORHL) game between the Crease Sniffers and the Canucks.
According to a player of the Canucks, Alex Enes, the third period had an altercation between two players where a helmet was removed from one of the players who was then repeatedly struck in the face with it by an opponent.
Video was captured of the incident and has been reviewed and confirmed by our sister site, Oakville News. In the video, play is first interrupted after two players collide. When both players get up, one from the Crease Sniffers quickly shoves the other back down before gloves and sticks go flying.
What starts as a typical hockey fight eventually leads to the removal of the Canucks player's helmet, which he is then bashed in the face with while one referee stands idle watching and the other attempts to hold back another player.
Only when both players crashed to the ground did the referees attempt to break up the incident. According to multiple players, the referees were within their training/protocol by not endangering themselves.
While Oakville News received footage directly from the Canucks, the team did not receive permission from the league to release it (likely due to its graphic nature). Enes himself appealed to the league to obtain footage of the incident and was successful after contacting the footage supplier, LiveBarn, and getting their customer service team to assist.
According to Enes, the ORHL still has not supplied the footage directly.
In an email from Enes to the league, he said, "This assault will not be swept under the rug."
"There were dozens of individuals in the stands and rinkside who witnessed the incident and were taking photos and videos during the assault. I suspect this footage may make its way, trickle its way, to the social media platforms and it would be in everyone’s best interest if we could secure the footage and get it to the authorities in a timely manner."
Halton Police received the video footage and were able to make an arrest.
According to Halton Police Constable Ryan Anderson, the victim suffered laceration to the face, which required medical treatment.
A 26-year-old male from Milton was arrested the next day and charged with the following:
- Assault Cause Bodily Harm
- Assault with a Weapon
In a statement to Oakville News regarding the incident, the Town of Oakville’s Director of Recreation and Culture Julie Mitchell said, "The Oakville Recreational Hockey League prides itself on providing a safe and fair playing environment for all."
"We have strict disciplinary measures in place and in accordance with the Oakville Recreational Hockey League’s League Standards," she continued. "The May 15 incident was reviewed and both team captains involved were notified of the disciplinary action taken to resolve the matter. The Oakville Recreational Hockey League is also cooperating with the Halton Regional Police Service as they investigate and cannot comment further on the incident."
