Bruins', Chara Hit Leads to Investigation by Montreal Police
Montreal police have apparently received voluminous calls concerning the Zdeno Chara hit on Montreal player Max Pacioretty, demanding that the police issue charges. This incident has transcended hockey, with both public and political figures demanding action. Even Air Canada has threatened to withdraw its NHL sponsorship if the NHL does not take action against hits causing head injuries. Montreal police have just announced they will immediately commence an investigation into the incident as to whether criminal charges should be filed against Chara.
This is surprising, because it will be extremely difficult to prove that Chara intended to injure Pacioretty. The footage of the hit is not enough evidence (aside from the fact that Pacioretty’s head struck the partition, it seems no different than a typical hockey hit), and Chara obviously denied that the hit was intentional. The police will speak with Bruins players and coaches to determine if anyone has any knowledge as to whether Chara intended to hit Pacioretty as retribution (please link retribution to my last post), although intent to hit a player as retribution is different from intending to seriously injure.
Most likely, the police have announced the investigation to appease the numerous fans and hockey-crazy citizens of Quebec. Expect the police to later announce that they have completed the investigation, and will not pursue criminal charges against Chara due to lack of evidence.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.