Hockey Dad found guilty of assault

[hockeymom 2]

Guess this has been the week for last years' hockey incidents to finally hit the courts.

Story from CTV.ca

A Toronto hockey dad has been found guilty of assault causing bodily harm for strangling his eight-year-old son's coach at a minor league game last year.

Brad Desrocher, 48, showed little expression as he left the North York courthouse Friday.

The victim, Mark Teskey, did not speak to reporters after the verdict was delivered by a judge.

Desrocher admitted attacking Teskey for not playing his son, but felt his assault did not cause lasting injury.

Court heard Desrocher reached over the Plexiglas barrier and grabbed Teskey from behind in a fit of rage during a game at Chesswood Arena in Downsview in January 2005.

Teskey testified he blacked out because the chokehold cut off his air circulation. He said he suffered persistent back and neck pain as a result, which forced him to visit a chiropractor twice a week.

"I was fighting for my life," Teskey testified earlier this week.

"It was a grasp I couldn't imagine a person could have .... All I remember is coming to on the floor and seeing 15 sets of eight- and nine-year old eyes looking down at me."

At trial, court heard it took several other parents to get Desrocher to release his strong grip. Some said he had a look in his eyes that he wanted to kill the coach.

"(The neck) is a particularly vulnerable part of anyone's body to attack," the judge told Desrocher Friday.

Desrocher is facing jail time for the conviction. He is to return for sentencing Dec. 11.

Shortly after the incident, Desrocher was given a five-year ban on entering Greater Toronto Hockey League arenas.

[All Torhs Team 0]

I hate that stuff. When parents on your team fight each other. It ruins the season completly for everyone. Always a bad situation.

[zochi 1]

Wow is all I have to say

[sabre09923 0]

And this was an 8 and 9 year old team. What could possibly get this hockey dad so frustrated at the coach to the point where he choked him when it's only 8 year olds?

[hockey3 0]

Not trying to justify what he did what so ever, but why wouldnt the coach be giving fair ice time to 8/9 year olds.

[hockeymom 2]

I read it in a different story... The son had missed several practices and the team's policy was you sat a couple of shifts. Not the whole period; a couple of shifts.

The father had already barged onto the bench once and had been ejected - he then came over the top of the glass and grabbed the coach by the throat and the other parents had to break it up.

Apparently the team is back together this year - and Desrocher's son is still on the team. Must make for some interesting home and team dynamics.

[mack 44]

I bet this guy was an advocate of punching someone in a game. Big time.

[Reaper 0]

This may sound harsh but I hope the dad does time for this crime. Not only is assaulting someone illegal but he did it in a cowardly way by grabbing the coach from behind.

[Chadd 916]

This may sound harsh but I hope the dad does time for this crime. Not only is assaulting someone illegal but he did it in a cowardly way by grabbing the coach from behind.

Even worse, some kids may think it's ok to act like that.

[pantherfan 0]

I feel sorry for the guys kid more then anyone.

[hockeymom 2]

I feel really sorry for the kid too. At first I was wondering if it was "a good thing" he stayed on the same team, but I've come around to thinking it probably is best. If his dad does end up getting some jail time, then at least the kid has a pretty good support group who know about the situation.