Former NHL player Mikhail Grabovski is facing assault charges stemming from an incident at a minor hockey game in Markham, Ontario. Court records indicate that the charge was filed on March 30, with Grabovski scheduled for his first court appearance on June 12 in Newmarket, Ontario.
Incident Overview
On March 14, York Regional Police responded to reports of an assault at a community center in Markham. The victim, Warren Cooper, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The allegations suggest that Grabovski assaulted Cooper following an under-15 playoff game. This matchup was between Grabovski’s team, the Markham Waxers, and Cooper’s team, the York-Simcoe Express.
Coaching Roles
- Mikhail Grabovski: Head coach of the Markham Waxers
- Warren Cooper: Head coach of the York-Simcoe Express
As part of his release conditions, Grabovski is prohibited from contacting Cooper or visiting locations where Cooper is known to be present.
Grabovski’s Career Highlights
The 42-year-old Grabovski had a notable NHL career, playing 340 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2008 to 2013. In total, he played in 534 NHL games, representing the Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, and New York Islanders. He officially retired from professional hockey in 2019.
Previous Legal Issues
Grabovski has had legal troubles prior to this incident. In September 2010, a civil lawsuit was filed against him in British Columbia Supreme Court. The suit alleged that he assaulted a couple during a confrontation in downtown Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics. This case was ultimately dismissed in March 2018, prior to reaching trial.
