The parents of a 12-year old boy who was injured at a Sunday hockey tournament in the western city of Winnipeg want a referee to face a criminal charge in the incident. Hockey games involving young players are notorious for stoking emotions and sometimes violence, to the extent that some leagues are drawing up codes of conduct for spectators.
Kainen Bell suffered a sore neck, bruised back and broken wrist after a referee stepped in to break up a fight among players on the ice. His parents contend the referee picked up Kainen and threw him down, but in the video it appears the referee may have slipped.
Tension remained high after the incident and there was an altercation between several adults in a hallway between two rinks.
The referee has declined comment. He is said to be experienced and certified.
Police are investigating the incident.
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