18 years of age is not a “very young player”.
https://www.hockeyfeed.com/videos/calls-for-lifetime-ban-after-vicious-attack-on-young-hockey-player
It is disturbing although totally unsurprising to see the hockey world circling their wagons after a brutal and potentially life impacting illegal hit on another “very young player”.
18 is not “very young” for any intent or purpose. This player, 18 year-old Luke Dragusica, assaulted and delivered a deliberate slash, from behind, to the back and side of 17-year-old Brady Blaseg’s head. According to the reports of the incident, Dragusica was taken to the boards by the defenseman Blaseg. Balseg had skated away to return to play when Dragusica rose and intentionally sought out Blaseg who had checked him, then delivered the hit, from behind while Blaseg was in play.
Yes, hockey is a fast-paced and extremely physical game; emotions run high with the adrenaline rushes, men/boys/women and girls included. It is exactly for those reasons that unacceptable unsportsmanlike behaviours cannot be tolerated. The dirty hit by Dragusica was a vicious assault, it was not a legal check, it was not even “spur of the moment” per se; it was thought out and intentional. At 18 years old, at the level of hockey played by the Juniors, particularly the level of the Generals, this is a sign of someone who does not have the capacity or, dare I say, character to be playing with an elite team. The attack, from behind, could be career ending and at 18 years old, as an elite? Dragusica would be aware of that.
Is it a criminal assault? Tough call because of the nature of hockey but yes, I would say it was and should be punished, severely. I don’t think, following the viciousness of this attack, that Dragusica is emotionally ready for elite hockey. Whether or not he should be criminally charged should be up to Baseg and his parents. Lifetime ban? I don’t know; depends on Dragusica’s past record in the game. Is he a talented goon? Demote him. Is he a usually exemplary player? Then the hockey admins need to climb down off their self-constructed pedestals and consult with the parents of Baseg as well as the two players involved, as to whether a lifetime ban is the correct call.
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