Asst. youth hockey coach identified after throwing opposing player onto the ice at tournament in NH

HAVERHILL, Mass. — A Connecticut youth hockey assistant coach has been fired after grabbing an opposing player and causing him to fall to the ice near the end of a tournament game in New Hampshire on Saturday.

Corey Sutherland, who also is a police officer in Vernon, Connecticut, was the coach involved in the Dec. 31 incident in Hooksett, New Hampshire, Vernon police confirmed Friday. Police have launched an internal affairs investigation.

Tama Parsons is the head coach of a local youth hockey team based in Haverhill called “Fully Loaded.” She was horrified when one of her players was thrown down to the ice.

“Whether it was my son out there or anybody else’s, it’s disgusting, I was horrified that that happened to somebody,” said Parsons.

Tina Ackerman says her son was the player who was assaulted by Sutherland.

“My son is a wonderful kid, a great player, sweet, kind and the fact that he was assaulted, bullied by this man is just really, really eye-opening and disappointing,” said Ackerman. “Lucky he didn’t get hurt, he could have had a concussion, he was really yanked from the back, that’s like a sucker punch to a kid from an adult to a kid, I think it’s really, really low.”

Parsons says her team called “Saint Nick’s” for the tournament was beating South Windsor by a lot and they went on to win the tournament.

But she was appalled by what Sutherland did in the last few seconds of the game, so she posted this video on Facebook to hold this coach accountable.

“You watch plenty of videos to become certified to coach, you know right from wrong as an adult,” said Parsons.

The South Windsor Youth Hockey Association sent Boston 25 News the following statement Tuesday:

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 the 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.

“I want to know that he will never be a coach again,” said Ackerman.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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