If you intend to engage in a confrontational dispute with someone on a golf course, it’s generally wise to ascertain if that individual has a background as a former NHL tough guy. Otherwise, your experience might be unpleasant.
Footage depicting a lopsided altercation at Alberta Springs Golf Resort gained widespread attention on Tuesday. It was later confirmed that one of the participants was former NHL player Nick Tarnasky. Tarnasky, 40 years old, spent five seasons in the NHL, playing for three different teams.
The video portrays Tarnasky’s group in a disagreement with two seemingly inebriated men regarding the pace of play. Heated exchanges — “You’re not that formidable,” “Collect your belongings and proceed” — lead to one of the men repeatedly shouting “F***ing complain about it” at Tarnasky and issuing a challenge.
(Note: Strong language ahead.)
The man shoves Tarnasky, who then throws him into a water hazard (with an observer commenting: “A promising start, my friend”). The man exits the lake and approaches Tarnasky once more. At this point, Tarnasky grabs him by the shirt collar in a manner reminiscent of an NHL fight, delivering two punches to the face and exclaiming “Bang” after each strike. The other man intervenes, attempting to push Tarnasky away, but is instead shoved aside.
Undeterred, despite another taunt of “I wouldn’t keep returning, you f***ing idiot,” the man challenges Tarnasky again, receiving three more “Bangs!” Tarnasky shouts “Enough!” at him, but he rises, charges at Tarnasky again, and is thrown a considerable distance.
Eventually, the man’s companion manages to persuade him to leave, while Tarnasky shouts, “I asked him to f***ing move along, I told him to stop acting like a fool.”
Having retired from the NHL a decade and a half ago, Tarnasky currently serves as the under-17 coach for Red Deer Minor Hockey in Alberta. According to the Canadian Press, the team issued a statement acknowledging the video and indicating that it is conducting an internal review of the incident:
“We are cognizant of a video circulating on social media involving a coach with Red Deer Minor Hockey,” the organization stated. “Currently, given that we understand the matter is being examined by local policing authorities and we are undertaking our own internal inquiry into the alleged incident, we will refrain from further comments.”
While the team mentioned that the matter is being reviewed by local authorities, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated that it is not investigating the incident. Officers reportedly received a report from a third party regarding the fight, but the complainant had left before police arrived:
“It was essentially a report of a fight and an intoxicated individual,” Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, a public information officer with the RCMP in Central Alberta, explained. “Nobody approached us alleging an assault or anything of that nature, and our investigation was concluded.”
Tarnasky was listed at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds during his playing career and was recently announced to be continuing with Red Deer two months ago. You can find examples of his past performances here, from his time playing for the New York Rangers in the preseason.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/breaking-news/article/canadian-youth-hockey-team-investigating-after-its-coach-ex-nhl-enforcer-nick-tarnasky-goes-viral-in-golf-course-fight-video-214116911.html
