Seattle Father Charged for Assaulting Teen Referees

A Seattle father has been charged with misdemeanor assault after shoving two teenage referees, aged 12 and 14, during a youth hockey game at the Kraken Community Iceplex. The incident, captured on video, occurred after the man claimed his son was attacked by another player and the referees failed to intervene, despite police reports stating that no fight was happening when he intervened. Pacific Northwest Amateur Hockey Association President Jody Carpenter condemned the act as 'egregious', emphasizing the importance of maintaining a respectful environment in sports. The father, who was not detained, claimed he was unaware of the referees' ages and is facing a ban from the association and the iceplex. The referees, though shaken, were not seriously injured and treated for minor pains by the Seattle Fire Department. The broader hockey community, including local coaches like Mike Drezek, expressed shock and highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and respect for officials.