Second man charged after adults attack ref at youth hockey tournament in Lethbridge

A second man has now been charged after a referee and coach were assaulted at a youth hockey tournament in Lethbridge, Alta. on Sunday.

Police say Todd William Cross Child, 36, attended the station on Monday evening and turned himself in.

Cross Child is charged with two counts of assault and was released on a promise to appear.

The assault happened after a 10-year-old player got into a verbal spat with a referee at the end of the hockey game, during a three-on-three tournament.

Police say the youth struck the official twice with his stick, and the ref then pushed the player to the ice.

Cellphone video shot by a spectator shows a group scuffle that included two men walking onto the ice, approaching the ref — who skated backward as they approached — and shoving him down. The ref was punched multiple times before the scrap ended. 

Robert Farrell Creighton, 55, had been arrested on Sunday and has been released.

Both Creighton and Cross Child are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 9.

Lethbridge police told CBC the referee is 51, and that no charges are being laid against him.

The annual three-on-three Quest for the Cup tournament involved players between the ages of seven and 12 and was organized by the Lethbridge-based skills development business High Performance Hockey.

A statement posted to High Performance's website Sunday evening said the tussle "should serve as an example to all about the importance of ensuring the rink is a safe place for our children. Actions like this have no place in our game."

It also said the tournament is an opportunity for players to enjoy the game of hockey with their friends.

"For that reason, we are especially disappointed to see an act like this occur." 

Lethbridge is approximately 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary.