2 minor hockey coaches net lifetime ban after altercation at Gatineau arena

Two minor hockey coaches in Gatineau, Que., have been suspended for life by Hockey Outaouaisafter an alleged violent altercation earlier this month at the Slush Puppie Centre.

The coaches from the La Livre de Gatineau Minor Hockey Association allegedly fought with a third coach after a stormyunder-15 A gamebetweenJets 1 La Livreand Remparts Gatineau on Nov. 20.

An independent disciplinary committee madeits decision Nov. 27.The two suspended coachescan nolongercoach minor hockey anywhere in the country.

One mansuffered minor injuries in the altercation and did not need to be taken to hospital, according to Gatineau police. Policeconfirmed to Radio-Canada by email that they're investigating the alleged incident, but have not formally laid charges.

Suspended coach 'confused' by decision

One of the two coaches,Patrick Groulxof Jets 1 La Livre,told Radio-Canada by phone that he had been involved in an altercation, but deploredthe way the disciplinary committee made its judgment.

"I feel confused. I feel betrayed by the Hockey Outaouais committee. They never came to see me, to talk to me. They made decisions on facts [which rest] on just one side of the coin I did not even have the right to explain myself to these people who made decisions," Groulx said in French.

Radio-Canada/CBC is not naming the second coach because it could not independently verify his involvement.

Hockey Outaouais declined to comment, but did confirma policeinvestigation is underway.

In an email to CBC, Hockey Canada said it's aware of the incident, and that the bans imposed by Hockey Outaouaisextendto any minor hockey association within the purview of the sport's national governing body.

"Hockey Canada will recognize and enforce that disciplinary penalty, subject to any appeal rights that the individuals may have," Hockey Canada wrote.