A 17-year-old male has been charged with assault after an alleged incident between two players during a Woodstock hockey game in January.
Woodstock police received a criminal complaint on Jan 14, after a game the day before. Police launched an investigation into the incident and it was taken over by the Criminal Investigation Branch.
"We are very well aware the subject of this investigation has garnered intense public attention across Canada and we respect there are passionate opinions on both sides of the physical aspect of hockey, " says Woodstock police Chief Rod Freeman.
The investigation included reviewing video of the game and interviewing many witnesses involved in the game. Investigators also requested the legal opinion of the Crown Attorney's Office in relation to the application of criminal charges in the forum of a hockey game.
"The decision to lay a criminal charge was not taken lightly and was based on an objective review of the evidence, including video evidence, and on factually-based legal opinions from the Crown Attorney's Office," says Freeman.
A summons has been served on a 17-year-old male under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He has been charged with assault causing bodily harm.
He will appear in court in Woodstock on July 11.
