Brett Cook of Nipissing University in Canada made a horrible decision when he punched linesman Nicholas Piche in the face during a playoff game against UQTR. Piche was trying to restrain Cook while there was a fight on the ice and Cook was clearly not pleased. Cook then decided in his frustration to land a devastating upper cut to Piche’s jaw. Piche was obviously hurt as he tried to barely hang onto Cook’s jersey as Cook stared down at him. The video even shows Piche trying to skate around afterwards and he was moving gingerly to say the least.
Because of the incident Ontario University Athletics, the governing body of collegiate sports in the Canadian province, ruled that Cook will be banned from playing hockey at an OUA-sponsored university for the rest of his college career. Cook is only in the first-year of his eligibility at Nipissing.
During his five-year junior career, Cook was a glorified goon when he played for the Erie Otters and the London Knights in the OHL, racking up 344 penalty minutes. Cook issued an apology to Piche via the Toronto Sun:
“What I did was wrong, plain and simple,” Cook said in the OUA release. “My actions were unacceptable and I take full responsibility. My teammates, coaches and I are thankful that Mr. Piche was not hurt. I am deeply sorry for my actions, for embarrassing my university, the OUA, the CIS and the dignity of the game of hockey and I fully accept the sanctions determined by the OUA.”
This isn’t the first time that a ref or a linesman has been punched, but usually it happens on accident while they are trying to break up a fight. It was clear that this incident was no accident and the ruling by the OUA is absolutely fair. Cook has to seriously reevaluate his decision making abilities after this one.
