High School Hockey Players Will Be Held Accountable For Brawl
FARMERS BRANCH (CBSDFW.COM) - It's the hockey fight that has a lot of people talking. They're calling it "too violent - even for the pros."
But there were no professional teams involved. These were high school kids playing at the Varsity State Championship Hockey game held at the Dr Pepper Star Center in Farmers Branch Sunday.
It ended with less-than-championship behavior. It turned into an all out brawl between the two high schools involved: Keller and Arlington Martin.
It happened near the end of the game when Keller was ahead 9 to 3.
"The ending ruined it to be honest with you, ruined a great weekend. Story should be about Keller winning the State Title. Not about this," said Arlington Martin Coach Louie Greco.
Arlington Martin player Jeff SoRelle, who left the bench to hit another player, ended up with a broken jaw when Keller player Braxton Mills decked him from behind.
"Everyone will be held accountable," Greco said. "It's not like everyone's just going to walk away from this."
But Greco may actually end up serving SoRelle's likely suspension next season because SoRelle is a graduating senior.
"So, yeah. I would have to serve the suspension," Greco admitted.
Meantime, the presidents of the two hockey clubs involved in the fight are making nice.
Kevin Wicks, President of the Keller Hockey Club, said, "Chuck and I just met officially a few minutes ago and we've been talking about and trying to reconcile and get beyond this incident."
"That starts with some good communication between him and I,"
Chuck Palmer, President of the Arlington Martin Hockey Club. "And, that started tonight."
Child Psychologists say other adults should be held accountable too.
"Parents have to step in though. They must say this is not permitted, especially in the youth sports. This is ridiculous," said Dr. Sylvia Gearing.
The Match Penalty Committee is the group that decides what happens to players involved in these kinds of fights. Their next meeting is scheduled for April 5.
If they can gather all the information, they'll move forward with the hearing.