Off-ice fight between player and fan stains start of Avalon East hockey league season

An incident at the Danny Cleary Community Centre in Harbour Grace during the launch of a new Avalon East Senior Hockey League season has left fans and players shaken. The game between the Clarenville Ford Caribous and the HGOE CeeBee Stars took a turn for the worse in the third period, with tensions escalating both on and off the ice.

One of the league’s star players, Justin Pender of the Clarenville team, was involved in a violent altercation with fans as he was escorted off the ice. Pender, who was already ejected from the game, reacted aggressively to taunting from fans, throwing the broken shaft of his stick at them before storming down the hallway toward them.

Security camera footage captured the intense moments as Pender, fully geared up in his hockey equipment, threw punches at one of the fans, John Drover. Despite the chaos, Drover stood his ground, unharmed by the altercation. The incident has led to Pender receiving a three-game suspension from the league, and both he and Drover may face bans from the arena.

Mayor Don Coombs of Harbour Grace expressed shock at the footage and promised severe consequences for those involved. The town council is set to meet to discuss the incident and make decisions on potential bans from the arena.

While Pender’s teammate, Thomas Hedges, was also ejected from the game, team general manager Ivan Hapgood criticized the lack of security measures at the arena. Hapgood also pointed out the availability of alcohol in the arena, suggesting that it may have contributed to the escalation of the situation.

Despite the controversy, Hapgood stood by Pender, calling him a “great ambassador” for the team and defending his character. Pender, a seasoned player with a history of intense play on the ice, has received support from his team as they appeal his suspension.

The mayor of Harbour Grace hopes that such an incident will not be repeated in any arena across the country, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe environment for fans and players alike. As the town council deliberates on the aftermath of the altercation, steps will be taken to ensure the safety and security of all individuals attending games at the community centre.