An incident over the weekend at a Lethbridge 3-on-3 hockey tournament has resulted in charges against a man from the Blood Reserve.
A video posted online shows a referee being punched on the ice at the Quest for the Cup Tournament at the ATB Centre on the west side.
Lethbridge Police say 10 year old player was involved in a verbal altercation with the ref when the boy slashed the official twice with his stick. The referee then pushed the young player to the ice.
That’s when things really escalated. Police say a group adults, including coaches and a relative of the 10 year old player came onto the ice. LPS say a coach from the opposing team was shoved to the ground and the official was punched a number of times by the player’s relative and a second man.
The relative was arrested, however police are looking for the other man.
55 year old Robert Creighton of Standoff is facing a charge of assault. He will be on court October 9th. Charges are also pending against the other man involved.
LPS say the tournament organizer, High Performance Hockey (HPH) has been very cooperative.
HPH has posted to its Facebook page saying “this incident should serve as an example to all about the importance of ensuring the rink is a safe place for our children, noting they are especially disappointed to see an act like this occur.”
UPDATE (Tuesday, Sep. 10): Lethbridge Police say Todd William Cross Child, 36 of Lethbridge, attended the police station Monday evening (Sep. 9) to turn himself in. He’s since been charged with two counts of assault.
Cross Child was released on a promise to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Oct. 9.