The co-owner of the Campbell River Storm is facing charges in connection with an assault involving his coach.
According to Campbell River RCMP, police officers responded to a report of an assault at a 16th Avenue residence on Dec. 12. After an investigation, a Crown report was submitted supporting charges against Kevin Ronald Spooner, the co-owner of the team.
Spooner is facing one charge of assault causing bodily harm and two charges of uttering threats. The alleged assault involves current Storm coach and general manager Lee Stone and the threats involve Stone and Linda Spooner.
A statement from the Campbell River Storm was issued in connection with this situation.
It says:
“The Campbell River Storm are aware of the criminal allegations towards Kevin Spooner and while we cannot comment on an impending legal matter we would like to assure everyone that we hold the highest standard of conduct within our organization and have taken positive measures moving forward. We are looking forward to the end of the regular season and another successful playoff run and will not have any further comment regarding such matter.
“Yours in Hockey,
“The Campbell River Storm”
Spooner has had legal problems before. On Dec. 17, 2014, a peace bond was issued against Kevin Spooner after an incident involving the owner of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings owner Dave Webb, 67.
On Jan. 24, 2014, Spooner confronted Webb in the concourse of the Rod Brind’Amour Arena. Spooner was angry over the Glacier Kings’ recruitment of a player who once played for the Storm. Intent on pressing his claim for compensation, Spooner shouted profanities at Webb and behaved in a very aggressive manner, the judge said.
“As he parted from Mr. Webb, he struck him a trifling blow on the head which caused no injury,” Judge Ted Gouge said.
Later that day, the judge said, Spooner confronted Glacier Kings Coach Joey Ewing outside the arena and by words and gestures, “expressed his willingness to engage in a fist fight. No fight ensued because Mr. Ewing displayed appropriate self restraint.”
Then again in April, 2014, Spooner confronted Ewing over the player issue. During that confrontation, he pushed Ewing hard enough to cause Ewing to lose his balance. Storm Coach Lee Stone intervened after which Spooner “said something about wanting to smash Mr. Ewing in the face,” the judge said.
