Seattle Father Charged After Assaulting Two Child Referees at Youth Hockey Game

A Seattle man is facing misdemeanor assault charges after he allegedly shoved two child referees during his son's youth hockey game on Sunday. The referees, ages 12 and 14, were knocked onto their backs in what police described as an "unprovoked" attack.

Father Claims He Was Defending His Son

According to a police report, the man claimed he was acting in defense of his son, who he alleged had been punched and kicked by an opposing player for "about thirty seconds." He insisted the referees had failed to intervene, prompting him to take matters into his own hands. However, police determined that no fight was occurring at the time of the incident, as the game had already been stopped.

Witnesses at the game reported seeing the man walk directly onto the ice and shove one of the referees with enough force to knock him to the ground. The second young referee was also pushed, leading to minor injuries. The Seattle Fire Department treated both teens on-site for pain in their hips and elbows, but neither required hospitalization. Fortunately, both were wearing protective gear.

Man Fled Scene But Was Later Stopped by Police

The father left the rink before officers arrived but was pulled over at a traffic light shortly after. When questioned, he maintained that he had not realized the referees were juveniles and stated he would cooperate with the investigation. Police have not publicly identified the man, as he has not yet been booked into jail.

Hockey Association Condemns Attack

The Pacific Northwest Amateur Hockey Association (PNAHA) addressed the incident in a social media statement, calling it "egregious and outrageous behavior." President Jody Carpenter emphasized the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe environment in youth sports.

"The video we are sharing is difficult to watch, but it is crucial that we confront the seriousness of what happened," Carpenter stated. "This incident serves as a stark reminder of why respect for officials and sportsmanship are fundamental to our game."

Carpenter reiterated that violence against referees, particularly young officials still learning the game, has no place in hockey. The organization has launched a formal investigation and will review policies to ensure the safety of all participants moving forward.