Video: There’s another example of hockey parents losing their cool, screaming and swearing at their kids’ game — and it was all caught on camera and posted online. It was so bad, police are now investigating. Lauren McNabb reports.
WINNIPEG – Police are investigating after a hockey fight among 12-year-olds led to a fracas involving players, parents and referees, and continued off the ice at the Southdale Community Centre on Sunday.
In a YouTube video posted Sunday, parents can be heard screaming as referees work to break up a fight, with one referee going down to the ice with one of the young players. A man then leaves the team’s bench and jumps on the referee, and others come in to break up the battle.
“Hey! Hey! Get your hands off our kids!” a woman screams early in the profanity-laced video.
READ MORE: Winnipeg hockey dad, coaches brawl in front of kids
The YouTube video description says the game was played Sunday at Southdale and the boy who hit the ice went to hospital with a broken wrist, back sprain and bruised shoulder.
Police confirmed Monday morning that they’re investigating an incident that started near the end of a 90-minute game at the community centre on Sunday.
“Injuries sustained at the end of the game occurred when the referee came between two individuals and fell,” Const. Jason Michalyshen said at a news conference. A 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital in stable condition, a police spokesman said, but police couldn’t confirm details of the boy’s injuries.
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After the ref fell, players and a coach assaulted him, Michalyshen said.
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Players, parents and hockey officials were involved in a fracas after the game, he said.
“It (the game) included a lot of tough play. Officials were required to make a lot of calls; emotions were running very high,” Michalyshen said. “A lot of emotions (were) at play here.”
No charges have been laid but police are investigating the actions of the adults, including the referee, Michalyshen said.
The injured player is on the Sagkeeng First Nation team. His coach said the boy shouldn’t have been injured.
“I’m sorry, you are a grown man — you should have easily been able to separate the boys,” Stephanie Tardiff said.
Community club president Todd Thornton told CJOB Radio the fight took place during a game that wasn’t under the auspices of Hockey Winnipeg or Hockey Manitoba.
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