Hi All,

Canada - Canadian Press 
 
 
Winnipeg police warn Hockey Gladiators on thin legal ice if they stage event


MICHELLE MACAFEE 

WINNIPEG (CP) - Battle of the Hockey Gladiators was dealt a punishing blow
Friday by Winnipeg Police, who said they'll treat the unusual
hockey-fighting tournament as a criminal investigation if it goes ahead as
planned later this month. 

That means combatants, promoters, judges, even media covering the
pay-per-view event, could be subject to $2,000 fines or six months in jail,
said acting Supt. Stan Tataryn. 

"We will be going there and conducting a criminal investigation having
reasonable grounds to believe an offence may be committed," Tataryn
told a news conference. 

If the event, which will see 32 former NHL, semi-pro, university and junior
hockey tough guys pair off at centre ice in a series of short punching
matches, proceeds at the Winnipeg Arena on Aug. 20-21 police officers will
then have to decide whether to issue arrests or fines. 

That warning may ultimately scare off the arena as host, but it has left
promoters feisty. 

"We're willing to fight it in court," said Ray Walker, director
of operations for Hockey Gladiators. 

"Would I want to give up $2,000 of my own money? Would I want to spend
30 days in jail? No, that's not my intention. Our intention was certainly
not to break the law." 

At issue is whether the event, which was originally to be held in
Minneapolis but was moved to Winnipeg last week, is a prize fight. 

The Criminal Code defines an illegal prize fight as an encounter with fists
or hands between two people who specifically meet to fight and who are not
sanctioned by a boxing association. 

But Walker called the event "wrestling on ice, a TV production staged
with some of hockey's most colourful characters." There is technically
no prize for the winner, but competitors are paid "talent fees"
that increase as they live to fight another round. 

For now, Walker said he's "marching forward" as if everything is
on track. About 2,100 tickets have been sold in the first week. 

But Walker acknowledges he and partner Darryl Wolski are cautiously
considering postponing the event or moving it to the Philadelphia Spectrum.


Much will depend on whether Winnipeg Enterprises, which manages the arena,
stays on board as host. 

Events co-ordinator Alayne Nott said while there is public interest in the
fights, the company wants assurances they are legal. 

"We're allowing the promoter an opportunity to work through their
issues before any decision's made," said Nott. 

"We were made aware the event may be in violation of the Criminal Code
and should that be the case the event won't happen here." 

The uncertainty is frustrating for competitor Eddie O'Toole, who won an
online vote this spring to earn the last spot on a roster that also
features former NHLer Link (The Missing Link) Gaetz and Frank (the Animal)
Bialowas. 

"I've been training six days a week . . . for three or four months for
this," O'Toole, a former junior hockey player who now bangs heads in
Toronto-area senior hockey, said in an interview. 

O'Toole, 34, said he wants more details before deciding whether to stay in
the competition. 

As a married father of a young son, he doesn't like the idea of going to
jail, but he doesn't understand what all the legal wrangling is about. 

"I think it's ridiculous for them (police) to get involved," said O'Toole. 

"This is 32 guys who have done this for a living and played hockey.
It's very controlled, there's referees and I just don't understand why they
would step in when it's willing participants." 
 


From the desk of...


   Michael
... A hippo does not have a sting in its tail, but a wise man would still
rather be sat on by a bee.
- Polish proverb



--- Devil's Point System 6.66