Ottawa police charge teen in alleged on-ice hockey stick assault

A teenage boy is facing criminal charges after he allegedly assaulted another player on the ice with a hockey stick during a major midget hockey game in the Ottawa community of Stittsville last November.

Ottawa police Const. Chuck Benoit said the player, who is under 18, "crossed a line from a hockey play to a criminal act" on Nov. 8, 2015. 

The teen's name has not been released due to provisions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police began an investigation in early December — including interviewing witnesses — after receiving a complaint, Benoit said. The Ottawa teen was charged on Jan. 25 with assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm.

Benoit said "it is very unusual" to lay assault charges for on-ice behaviour during a hockey game.

"The sport actually is a rough sport," he said. "There are certain incidents that occur on the ice that we take for granted are part of hockey, although some of these acts, with intent to injure another person, that's where the line is being crossed and could be linked into criminal charges."

Police said another player spent time in hospital but would not describe his injuries.

Police also would not identify the arena where the alleged assault took place, nor the teams involved.