Noisemaker ban in the works after assault at B.C. junior hockey game leaves man seriously injured

Officials in B.C.'s West Kootenay region are looking to ban noisemakers after an assault stemming from the use of an air horn at a junior hockey game last month left a Fruitvale, B.C., man with serious injuries.

RCMP say the assault occurred at Fruitvale's Beaver Valley Arena during a game between the Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Grand Forks Border Bruins of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, a Junior A Tier 2 league. 

The dispute at the game on March 19 began over the use of an air horn, police said. 

"The Fruitvale man was allegedly violently thrown to the ground and sustained serious injuries as a result," RCMP said in a statement. 

"He was transported by B.C. Emergency Health Services to hospital for immediate medical attention. He remains at the hospital in serious condition."

Ali Grieve, a director with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and chair of Beaver Valley Recreation, said a person of interest during the game fled the scene following the incident.

She said the victim told her that the man was using a makeshift air horn.  

"I understand he was asked several times to stop using this noisemaker, and he did not," Grieve said.

LISTEN | Grieve speaks about the incident and ban: 

Radio West9:47Hockey noisemaker assault leads to calls for a ban on all noisemakers

Calls are growing for noisemakers to be banned at hockey games in the West Kootenay after a man was violently assaulted during a junior hockey playoff game

She said the Beaver Valley recreation committee, which oversees the operations of Beaver Valley Arena, is moving forward with a policy to ban noisemakers, such as air horn, bells, clackers, and drums. 

"We want you to bring your voices. We want you to come and cheer. We want you to bring your hands and come and clap. But noisemakers will no longer be welcomed in our arena or in our affiliate arena in Grand Forks," she said. 

"This is about ensuring the safety for all fans and reducing conflict in the stands." 

Victim's life 'changed forever'

Grieve says the victim, a longtime Nitehawks fan, suffered multiple injuries, required surgery on both legs, and may need further surgery.

"[He] was knocked unconscious when he was allegedly pushed down the stairs," she said. "He had a seizure at the time as well."
 
She said the victim is self-employed and has lost work as he recovers.

RCMP have released an image of a man who may be involved in the assault. They describe him as a 50-year-old Caucasian man from Grand Forks with a heavy build, grey hair and moustache, who was wearing a grey cap, black jacket and blue jeans.

Police added that he may have been accompanied by a Caucasian woman, approximately 50 years old, with long brown hair and glasses, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans.

Grieve hopes the person responsible comes forward.

"It seems well known by our community and by the Grand Forks hockey team who this person of interest is. So I'm going to take this minute right now to ask both him and the Bruins hockey team to encourage this individual to come forward," she said. 

"In the meantime, the victim and their family now have their lives changed forever."