The head coach of the Stratford Fighting Irish, who also served as a director with the Ontario Super Hockey League, is charged with assault after a post-game incident.
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STRATFORD – The head coach of the Stratford Fighting Irish, who also served as a director with the Ontario Super Hockey League, is charged with assault after a post-game incident.
Jamie Petrie has since resigned from both positions, league officials say.
“The OSHL is committed to providing a safe environment for all of its players, staff and fans,” league director Bill Ryan said in a social media post. “We will continue to implement this moving forward.”
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Ryan said the league, which Petrie co-founded, wouldn’t comment further since the incident is under police investigation.
On Friday night, Stratford lost 7-4 on the road after the Elora Rocks scored four times in the third period to break a 3-3 tie. Details on what happened next are vague, but Elora team president Rich Wigmore is believed to have been the target of the alleged assault. Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police arrested Petrie at the arena, and the 54-year-old is scheduled to appear in court in Guelph on Jan. 17.
“An incident occurred that should never happen, under any circumstances – especially after a hockey game,” officials with the Elora Rocks posted on social media. “Rich is OK. We extend our heartfelt thanks to fans, players, volunteers who de-escalated the situation. Your quick thinking and support made all the difference.
“We do not condone violence in any form and deeply regret that our valued community – young and old – had to witness such an incident.”
Wigmore and Petrie didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Petrie, a former junior hockey star in Stratford, went public in 2016 with his diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, otherwise known as CTE, a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated blows to the head.
A neurologist said in a story eight years ago that he figured Petrie, who played most of his junior career in Stratford, suffered “innumerable concussions” from his on- and off-ice fights.
Jeff Morris, head of business relations for the Fighting Irish, said the club is “still working through things” and will need a day or two before it has more information.
Per its website, the league was launched in 2021 as a competitive loop for players older than 20. It has teams in several other local communities, including Petrolia, Tillsonburg, Delhi and Strathroy.
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