Hockey Player Goes on Trial for Assault

V A N C O U V E R, British Columbia, Sept. 25 -- Hockey violence went on trialtoday as the NHL’s Marty McSorley sat in court facing assault charges for bashing an opponent in the head with his hockey stick.

The last time an NHL player went on trial for an on-ice attackwas in 1988 when Dino Ciccarelli, then with the Minnesota NorthStars, was sentenced to a day in jail and $1,000 fine for strikingToronto’s Luke Richardson with his stick.

The key issue in McSorley’s trial is not whether McSorley struck Donald Brasher but whether such an attack in pro hockey constitutes assault with a weapon.

The NHL contends disciplinary matters should left to the league.

Prosecutor Mike Hicks opened the trial with a 14-minute video ofthe Feb. 21 game with the Vancouver Canucks in which McSorley and Brashear fought in the first period. McSorley’s late-game hit on Brashear was shown from different angles.

Experienced Enforcer

McSorley, an enforcer who has spent 17 years in the league andplayed for the Boston Bruins last season, watched the tapestoically, jotting down notes at times. He faces up to 1 ½ years inprison if convicted.

Also displayed were photos of Brashear’s battered face taken by the team photographer one day after the game. Brashear sustained a concussion and didn’t return to play until near the end of last season.

The first witness called by the prosecutor was NHL referee BradWatson, who officiated the game.

McSorley, 37, was suspended by the NHL for the final 23 games of the season. He lost about $70,000 in pay and is an unrestrictedfree agent. He still must meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman before he is cleared to play.