McSorley case mirrors Ciccarelli trial

Ciccarelli, then a star player with the Minnesota North Stars, became the first NHL player ever to be jailed as a result of an incident in a hockey game when he struck then-Leaf defenceman Luke Richardson in the head with his stick not once, but three times on Jan. 6, 1988 at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Claiming that he was just responding to two cheap cross checks from Richardson, Ciccarelli claimed that he finally snapped at 16:56 of the second period and had to respond.

"I did it out of frustration, sure I did," Ciccarelli told the Toronto Sun in the Jan. 7, 1988 edition. "I got hooked across the neck and he cross-checked me when I was coming across the line. I've had too many injuries from this kind of thing and I've got to protect myself."

Nearly 200,000 television viewers witnessed the incident and like the McSorley slash seven months ago, there was a huge amount of public backlash. Many wanted to see Ciccarelli, who was suspended just 10 games by NHL, charged for the incident.

"The public perception today is that the NHL no longer does an adequate job of maintaining law and order in its own arenas, and has no intention of doing so," wrote The Toronto Star's Jim Proudfoot on Jan. 9, 1988.

So, responding to what it thought was public sentiment, Metro Police formally charged Ciccarelli with assault under section 245 of the Criminal Code.

To a lot of media attention, Ciccarelli took his place in court before Judge Sidney Harris on May 30, 1988.

After hearing testimony and a lengthy delay, Harris finally announced his verdict, sentencing the hockey player to one day in Don Jail and fining him $1,000.

In handing down the decision, Harris determined that giving Ciccarelli an absolute discharge would have been "contrary to the public's interest."

"This sentence will leave no doubt that if violence in sports continues, perpetrators can expect punitive measure, including jail sentences," said Harris in his judgement.

While Ciccarelli spent only 30 minutes in jail and a total of two hours in police custody before being released, the right winger said that it was an experience he definitely won't forget.

"I didn't know what to expect," he said after his release. "I was a little nervous driving over in the (police) van with some of the other guys.

"But they were friendly and they all wanted an autograph, so I gave them one."

Ciccarelli went on to have a lengthy career in the NHL, spending a total of 21 years in the league before retiring in 1998-99. In 1,232 games with the North Stars, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, Ciccarelli scored 608 goals and 592 assists for 1,200 points.

External Links (will open in a new window) Unofficial Dino Ciccarelli site Marty McSorley's career stats Donald Brashear's career stats Unofficial Marty McSorley fan page