The Red Deer Minor Hockey organization has initiated an internal investigation following the circulation of a video showing one of its coaches, former NHL player Nick Tarnasky, involved in a physical altercation at a golf course.
The incident reportedly took place recently at Alberta Springs Golf Resort, situated just outside Red Deer, Alberta.
In a video widely shared online, Tarnasky is seen arguing with another individual. The situation escalates when the other man approaches aggressively. Tarnasky is then shown picking up the man and throwing him into a nearby pond. After the man exits the water and re-engages, Tarnasky responds with a series of punches, allegedly shouting “bang” with each strike, before physically removing the man again.
Based on dialogue audible in the video, comments concerning the pace of play on the course appear to have been the catalyst for the confrontation.
Tarnasky, aged 40, played 245 games in the NHL between 2005 and 2010 for teams including Tampa Bay, Nashville, and Florida, accumulating nearly 300 penalty minutes during his career. He later spent several seasons playing in the American Hockey League before transitioning into coaching.
Red Deer Minor Hockey recently announced that Tarnasky would be returning as the head coach for their U17 AAA North Stars team for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
In response to the incident, the organization issued a statement saying, “We are aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to involve a Red Deer Minor Hockey coach. At this time, given our understanding that the matter is being reviewed by local law enforcement authorities and that we are conducting our own internal investigation into the alleged occurrence, we will refrain from making any further comments.”
However, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has indicated that they are not conducting an investigation into the incident.
Corporal Troy Savinkoff, a public information officer for the RCMP in Central Alberta, stated that officers from the Blackfalds detachment received a report from a third party regarding a disturbance at the golf course. According to Savinkoff, the person who made the report had left the scene before police arrived.
Savinkoff characterized the initial report as “essentially a report of a fight and an intoxicated individual.”
He further explained, “Nobody came forward to us alleging an assault or anything like that, and our investigation was concluded.”
Alberta Springs Golf Resort has been contacted for comment regarding the incident.
Duncan Priestley