"Calls for lifetime ban after vicious attack on young (OHL) hockey player."

[KevinB]

Harshest penalty in the book that the referees can use. Only issued for actions that are believed to be a deliberate intent to injure or deliberately cause injury. Suspensions become the leagues problem but the officials did the right thing.

Match Penalties down here are probably similar to yours?

5 Min Major (really just puts their team down for 5min and adds to their Penalty Minutes) plus ejection and a 30 day suspension.

Depending on the penalty applied it can require a League Hearing to determine if 30 days is an appropriate time.

Down here a Club Director can appeal a Match Penalty to the Leagues Disciplinary Committee. Depending on how the Officiating team articulated the Incident Report (written by the Referee who called it) can depend on what happens, as well as if the League Rules allow for video review (and even ones that don’t allow for in Game Penalty Video Review generally will look at any and all video content provided). As down here Junior is the lowest level of play that in game video review can be used.

I will often attach video (if available) to the Incident Report when doing a Match Penalty (I’ve only had to do 4 Match Penalties so far) as it can help clarify exactly why the penalty was called.

Generally outside of Fighting penalties all majors down here require Reckless or Endangering play. This year was a rule change year, USA Hockey changed the verbiage from Intent to Injure to Reckless and/or Endangering, as a few cases had been contested due to the Intent aspect.





Now not related specifically to the above but more for general info for others:
As I also Coach two teams in both Fall/Winter and Spring, and my son is a bit of a hothead at times (go figure). I have a fair amount of experience with all sides of the Discipline system in USA Hockey.

I tend to get a lot of parents of kids reaching out to me for guidance on what to do if their child gets ejected and a GM or more, even if I don’t coach their kids. I keep it solely to explaining the Penalty and redirect them to their Head Coach to seek a meeting with the Club Director to appeal.

WRT Criminal Charges, down here it occurs, especially in attacks with sticks or kicking with skates. Most fights are considered consensual- and unless something gets really out of hand (bashing a players head against the ice etc) nothing is done.
Most Criminal Charges in Youth Hockey down here are resulting from off ice incidents either parents on parent or parents on an ejected player from the opposing team.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Yes to the first part, its mandatory. No to the 2nd part. Officials job ends when the report is written. In a high level league like this, multiple camera angles will help with the report. Only the director of officiating sits in the hearing and might not even be a voting member for the suspension. Its a good church/state separation.

Thanks for more of the "behind the curtain" stuff for non-sports hounds like myself - appreciated!

 

[QV]

Incorrect, spend more time with your take.

Yeah, you're right as I slowed it down, its clear he slashed the guy who piled him from behind.