Video Shows South Windsor Youth Hockey Coach Pulling Down Opponent

HOOKSETT, NH —A youth hockey coach representing South Windsor has been terminated following an incident at a bantam tournament in which he grabbed an opposing player by the back of the jersey and yanked him down to the ice.

A video from LiveBarn, posted on Facebook by head coach Tama Parsons of the St. Nicks team out of Massachusetts, shows the assistant coach of the South Windsor Knights, Corey Sutherland, grabbing the 14-year-old player's jersey and tugging him down.

Parsons said the incident happened during the third game of the holiday weekend tournament, occurring with just five seconds left to play. Her player was skating past the Knights bench when "the assistant coach reaches over and horse collars him to the ice."

The player was not injured, she said.

Gabe Hathorn, president of the South Windsor Youth Hockey Association, posted the following message on the organization's website:

"This past weekend there was an unfortunate incident involving a South Windsor coach at an out of state tournament. The coach reached out onto the ice and grabbed an opposing player as he skated by and pulled him down to the ice.

On behalf of South Windsor Youth Hockey Association, I would like to apologize to the affected player, his parents, coaches, teammates, and spectators as this type of action is not indicative of our organization and what we strive to be. We strongly oppose and are offended by this type of action and as a result, the coach was terminated and forbidden from coaching in any and all South Windsor Youth Hockey Association events. This coach did complete the yearly certified USA Hockey training, including Safe Sport and a background check. Our governing body, CT Hockey Conference (CHC) is conducting a thorough investigation into this matter, which the board thoroughly supports and they will have our full cooperation."

Sutherland is a retired Connecticut State Police trooper who has worked the past two years as a patrol officer for the Vernon Police Department.

In a written statement, Vernon Police Chief John Kelley said:

"On 1/3/23 the Vernon Police Department learned that Officer Corey Sutherland was involved in an off-duty incident at a youth hockey tournament in New Hampshire on 12/31/22. This information was disclosed by Officer Sutherland. An investigation into Officer Sutherland’s conduct has been initiated by the Vernon Police Department. Officer Sutherland has been employed by the Vernon Police Department since 12/28/2020. He is assigned to the patrol division. Officer Sutherland has not been the subject of any prior investigations or department discipline."

Hooksett Police Chief Janet Bouchard told Patch, "No complaints have been made to the Hooksett Police Department involving this incident or Corey Sutherland, therefore no charges are pending."