Shocking footage of a hockey coach tripping a 13-year-old player after a game Saturday afternoon, leaving the boy with a broken wrist, has sparked outrage in the minor hockey community.
"I don't ever want to see that coach on a bench behind kids ever again," said Richmond Steel team man-ager Tammy Hohlweg of the man coaching the Hornets, who won Saturday's game 5-4. "It's just horrible that a coach would go after a child like that and what's even more horrible is that team won."
The footage, shot by a parent of a Richmond Steel player, shows the two teams preparing to shake hands following the game at the University of B.C.'s Thunderbird Arena. The coach can be seen moving down the line before sticking out his right foot.
A player in a blue Steel jersey is then seen falling, causing a second player to go down as well.
Later footage also shows the man trading words with a referee while a Steel coach standing in shock is ushered off the ice. A Hornets player is also caught on camera throwing a water bottle at the bleachers while others on his team applaud and gesture with their arms open.
The Hornets coach also gives a middle finger to those yelling from the bleachers.
According to RCMP Sgt. Paule-na Gidda, the Hornets coach, who hasn't been identified by police, was arrested Saturday but released.
"Charges will be forwarded at a later date, pending the results of the investigation," Gidda said.
Since the player is a minor and depending on the severity of his injury, his parents would be the ones to decide whether or not to press charges.
Hohlweg said the boy's family is keeping things low-key and the boy now wears a cast for his broken wrist.
Investigators are now reviewing witness statements and video of the incident. The Hornets couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.
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