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Sharks Star Says He Was ‘Sucker Punched’ After Pro-GOP Comments

Sharks captain Logan Couture said the incident occurred Tuesday night in Toronto while he was in public.

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Couture said he was punched for “Saying my dad was a police officer and I ‘would’ if I could vote republican.”
Couture said he was punched for “Saying my dad was a police officer and I ‘would’ if I could vote republican.” (Gideon Rubin/Patch)

UPDATE: The San Jose Sharks issued a statement addressing the situation involving the alleged Aug. 25 assault on Logan Couture.

“The San Jose Sharks organization is aware of the incident that occurred on the evening of Aug. 25 in which Logan Couture was assaulted in Toronto. We are thankful that he was not seriously hurt and unequivocally denounce physical attacks or abuse on anyone under any circumstances,” the statement said.

Couture issued another statement on Twitter in which he reiterated that he does not support President Trump and apologized for the commotion his decision to go public detailing the alleged incident created for his team and his family.

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“While I did not do a good job of communicating my thoughts earlier today, I do believe that everyone is entitled to their own voice and opinions. But regardless of what anyone believes – and to be clear, I do not believe in supporting Donald Trump – responding with violence doesn’t solve anything,” Couture wrote.

“I regret the decision to make this incident public. I apologize to the Sharks, as well as my family for having to deal with this.”

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SAN JOSE, CA — San Jose Sharks star Logan Couture claimed in a tweet Wednesday morning that he was “sucker punched” after making comments supportive of the Republican party and mentioning President Trump.

The Sharks captain said the incident occurred in Tuesday night in Toronto while he was in public.

“I talked about voting for the Republican Party, and I mentioned Donald Trump by name. I was sucker punched,” Couture wrote. “Is this really what we are coming to? If you vote you are a villain? Man this world is so wrong”

Couture is a Canadian citizen isn’t eligible to vote in the United States. He said in subsequent tweets that he “would” vote for the GOP this fall if he were eligible.

Couture said he was punched for “Saying my dad was a police officer and I ‘would’ if I could vote republican.”

“Craziest part is I don’t vote. I mentioned my father being a former police officer. I really don’t believe this is the world we live in”

Couture in a subsequent tweet wrote that he is no fan of the president.

“I never said I like Donald Trump,” Couture wrote. “I don’t.”

Couture’s claim has triggered a social media firestorm.

Within five hours of its publication his tweet had garnered over 5,000 retweets, more than 3,000 comments, and nearly 15,000 likes.

Some have been supportive of the 31-year-old Sharks center.

Matt Faulcon acknowledged disdain for Trump’s politics that he wrote represents “racism, bigotry, sexism, misogyny, the systemic oppression of minorities, etc,” but expressed sympathy for Couture’s plight.

“yeah the fact that you were punched is completely unnecessary and it sucks that you experienced that. it’s a very sensitive time to even talk any sort of politics. I know that’s gotta be extra frustrating knowing it wears poorly on you if you punch back simply to defend yourself”

Couture has over 341,000 Twitter followers and has in recent weeks used his platform in support of racial justice. In May he issued a statement in support Evander Kane and former NHL player Akim Aliu for condemning racism in the predominantly white sport.

“Growing up in this game is a privilege,” Couture wrote. “At times I think most of us have been at fault for turning a blind eye to racism. I cannot continue. I’ve had the opportunity to play with some incredible teammates. Black, white, all colors. Getting to listen to them and talk about things they have gone through in hockey/life is eye opening. As a society and as hockey players we are only scraping the surface in fixing what desperately needs fixing.”

Couture's most recent experience was an eye-opener for him too.

"And I’ve learned that. I’ll never talk politics in public again. Just crazy to me, if you speak your own opinion violence happens. Even crazier, people are okay with it."

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