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Police Chief Says Line was Crossed in Hockey Attack

Wednesday, 26 June 2013 at 11:10

It's a case that's sure to draw a strong reaction from hockey fans. A 17-year-old Brantford player has been charged with assault causing bodily harm after an incident on the ice back on January 13th here in Woodstock. It happened in a game between the midget Brantford 99ers and Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets. Woodstock player Nick Major snowed the Brantford goalie. He was then grabbed by another player, who ripped off Major's helmet and punched him several times in the face. Major, who didn't retaliate, was left with a broken nose, black eyes and a concussion. Woodstock Police Chief Rod Freeman says after reviewing video of the incident, and interviewing witnesses, they and the Crown Attorney's office decided the incident cross the line between rough play, and an assault. "Well a certain amount of physical contact is tolerated in the hockey world. We all respect that. We also respect that there's going to be an awful lot of people with very passionate opinions about whether charges should have been laid, or should not have been laid and that this was just a part of hockey. During our consultation with the Crown Attorney, this particular case and the physical contact and violence that was involved drew it past the threshold of acceptable physical contact and into the realm where it became a prosecutable case." Freeman admits the debate over whether or not charges should have been laid drew out a lengthy debate between his own officers in their department. But Freeman says everyone has to understand that what happens on the ice, doesn't always stay on the ice. "We're a civilized society and hockey is our national sport. Everybody is very passionate about the game of hockey. But at the same time, we have to respect that the criminal code applies both on ice and off ice, and we're all accountable for our own actions. The player cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He'll be in a Woodstock court on July 11th.

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