A hockey player, banned for life from organized hockey in Alberta, has been found guilty of assaulting a linesman after a junior game last year.

Judge Ian Kirkpatrick convicted Robert Simard, 22, of assault Thursday, calling the former player's testimony a "ludicrous attempt to avoid liability."

Robert Simard, 22, was convicted of assaulting a hockey linesman in an off-ice fight in Calgary.
(CBC)

Police were called in after a fight at a junior B hockey game at the Stu Peppard Arena in southwest Calgary October 2006. The on-ice altercation carried over off the ice as players and officials headed to the dressing rooms. Linesman Rory McCuaig tried to break up the brawl.

As many as five people jumped McCuaig, who was knocked unconscious from a kick to the face and suffered minor injuries. During the trial, he identified one of his attackers as Simard.

Simard, who had been ejected from the game earlier for slashing, testified that he was trying to break up the fight. His lawyer, Alain Hepner, maintained there was reasonable doubt it was his client who attacked the linesman.

But in handing down his verdict Thursday, the judge said, "I'm sure it was the accused who wound up and kicked the linesman in the face as he was lying on the ground."

Kirkpatrick ordered a psychiatric assessment before Simard is sentenced in January. The former player faces a maximum of six months in jail.

An investigation by Hockey Calgary led to Simard being banned from any league sanctioned by Hockey Alberta. A second player was suspended for two years, and a parent banned for one year from minor hockey events in the city.