A Washington state father is facing two counts of misdemeanor assault following an incident at his son's youth hockey game where he allegedly shoved two young referees. The incident, which took place at the Kraken Community Iceplex on Sunday, was caught on security cameras.
42-year-old Uriel Isaac Cortes Gonzalez was arrested after police responded to reports of an "irate parent" assaulting two referees under the age of 15. Gonzalez reportedly left the scene before police arrived but was later apprehended near the complex.
Gonzalez claimed he intervened after witnessing his son being assaulted by an opposing player, alleging the referees failed to stop the altercation. He stated he pushed one referee aside to reach his son and was unaware the officials were minors.
However, security footage contradicted Gonzalez's account. Police reported no fight was occurring at the time of the alleged assault. The 13 and 14-year-old referees stated they had already stopped a previous altercation and were documenting the incident when Gonzalez approached and shoved them to the ground.
The referees received on-site medical attention for minor injuries. The Kraken Community Iceplex has banned Gonzalez from the facility. In a statement, the Kraken emphasized their commitment to fostering a positive community environment and stated they are cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation led by the Pacific Northwest Amateur Hockey Association and USA Hockey.
