Former NHL player Mikhail Grabovski has reportedly been charged with assault after he allegedly attacked a hockey coach at the end of a controversial youth game.
The incident is said to have unfolded during an Ontario Minor Hockey Association playoff game on March 14 between Grabovski’s under-15 Markham Waxers and the York Simcoe Express.
Police were called to the rink just before 11pm on March 14 after reports of an assault. They arrested a male suspect while the victim was sent to hospital with minor injuries.
According to the Toronto Sun, the man arrested was 42-year-old Grabovski. He has since been suspended by the league while the police investigate. Court records show the charge was sworn on March 30 and he is due in court on June 12.
It appeared to be an extremely heated game, with referees calling a staggering 61 minutes in penalties for boarding, roughing and head contact fouls.
Referees also gave a 10-minute misconduct penalty to the Waxers for ‘disrespectful and abusive behavior’ at the end of the game.
Former NHL player Mikhail Grabovski has reportedly been charged with assault after allegedly attacking a youth hockey coach at the end of a controversial game
Grabovski allegedly went after his rival, Warren Cooper, in the locker room and attacked him
He was in the NHL for 10 seasons, representing the Canadiens and Maple Leafs among others
Then, as the players were leaving the ice after the Express’ 11-0 victory, a source told the Toronto Sun that Grabovski went after his rival coach, Warren Cooper, as he made his way to the locker room and allegedly attacked him.
Video footage seen by the Toronto Sun shows referees turn around and quickly skate towards the other end of the rink where a commotion has broken out.
One person off camera can be heard shouting ‘you f***ing coward’.
It’s also claimed that once the coaches had been separated, a death threat was made. It remains unclear by who or what specifically started the incident.
‘The Ontario Minor Hockey Association is aware of this situation and does not condone this type of behaviour, nor does it reflect the values of the OMHA or the sport,’ the league’s statement reads.
Following his release, Grabovski has been banned from having any contact with Cooper or going anywhere Cooper is known to be.
Grabovski, who was born in Germany to Belarusian parents, was taken in the fifth round of the 2004 NHL draft the Montreal Canadiens.
He played in the NHL for 10 seasons, also representing the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals before making his final stop with the New York Islanders.
Grabovski has faced legal trouble before. He was accused in a civil suit of assaulting a couple in downtown Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics. He had been called up to play for Belarus but couldn’t compete because of an injury.
The case was dismissed in March 2018 before reaching trial.
