Cole Trevor Crane will be sentenced June 21.
His father James Trevor Crane of Morell was also charged with assaulting the same referee, John William MacDougall, during a midget AA hockey game at the Pownal Sports Centre on March 26.
The father’s case was adjourned to June 21 for plea but the Crown hinted the assault charge against James may be stayed.
EXCLUSIVE: Hockey official speaks out after viewing video from alleged referee assault in Pownal
Prince Edward Island’s referee-in-chief Troy Howatt told The Guardian in late March that he was shocked when he watched a video of the assault.
“It’s an outright, vicious assault by a hockey player towards a referee,’’ he said.
“It crossed the line of anything normal in a hockey game.’’
Related: Two charged in referee assault not members of Pownal Minor Hockey Association
The Guardian obtained a video of the incident from a couple of sources.
One shows the referee holding a player’s arm as he is led off the ice. The player, as he gets to the boards, swings his arm, pushes the referee and appears to punch the ref twice with his right hand.
A second video shows a scuffle in front of the benches, the player being led off the ice and men from the stands rushing down the stairs towards the gate. One of the men appears to try to grab the official.
“It’s shocking,’’ said Howatt.
“You don’t expect an official to be attacked in such a way.’’
