[ThePundit]

From Newsday:

Nassau prosecutors opened a preliminary probe Friday into whether Islander Chris Simon committed a crime when he struck a Rangers player in the face with his hockey stick, a spokesman said.

Prosecutors began reviewing game footage Friday morning of Simon swinging his stick with both hands as Ranger Ryan Hollweg skated toward him, hitting Hollweg on the chin and sending him to the ice at Nassau Coliseum Thursday night.

"We're in the process of obtaining as much footage from as many sources as possible," said Eric Phillips, spokesman for the Nassau district attorney's office.

Hollweg suffered cuts to the chin requiring stitches, but he is expected to play on Saturday. Simon was ejected from the game -- which the Rangers won, 2-1 -- and was suspended indefinitely pending a league hearing Saturday.

Simon was retaliating against Hollweg for slamming him against the perimeter boards around the ice rink moments earlier. Hollweg had harsh words for Simon: "There's no room for that in hockey, I don't care who you are."

The Rangers and Islanders declined to comment on the investigation. Simon said he'd have no comment until after the hearing. An NHL spokesman said the league would cooperate with the probe.

A tough left wing who joined the Islanders this season after 12 years in the league, Simon, 35, joins a handful of professional athletes whose on-field actions have sparked law enforcement interest.

Since 2000, two NHL players have been convicted on assault charges for on-ice violence. Also, two NBA players, both with the Indiana Pacers, pleaded guilty to assault in 2005 after punching fans who threw beverages at them during a brawl. None of the players received jail time.

Perhaps the most famous local case came in 1993, when Dale Hunter of the Washington Capitals sneaked behind Islander star Pierre Turgeon and cross-checked him, separating Turgeon's shoulder. Local politicians called for charges against Hunter, but Nassau prosecutors declined.

Eugene O'Donnell, a law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said prosecutors rarely bring charges against athletes -- who consent to a level of "job-related violence" -- for on-field behavior unless it is "egregious."

Islanders fans were divided, but some said Simon should be punished severely.

"It was completely criminal," said Patrick Hickey Jr., 23, of Brooklyn, who blogs about the Islanders. "It broke my heart in a way. I was almost ashamed to be an Islanders fan for a while."

Nassau DA to probe Simon attack - Newsday.com
This is ridiculous. I voted for the DA, Kathleen Rice, because she promised to get tough on drunk drivers, but if she goes ahead with this, I would never vote for her again. And not because its an Islander. Because she should let hockey handle it and go prosecute real criminals. This is not how I want my tax $ being spent.

[blueandwhite]

again, i agree. it looks good, is why politicians do this - don't for a minute think they are outraged.

[MJHMarc]

This was an incident that went beyond the ice, and into the court-rooms.

For all of those Islanders fan who believe that he should not be penalized, they obviously do not have taste for moral and ethical behavior. If a Rangers athlete did this to an Islander, then those select fans would be ringleaders in charging the Ranger with criminal charges.

[EmpireWF]

I don't think the local DA should pursue this any further. Sure if it happened out on the streets in LI, it would be criminal...but it didn't. It was a horrific thing to happen but I don't believe for a second Simon did went into the game with the idea he was going to try and knock someone's head off like it appeared he tried to do. It was in the heat of the moment, he made a terrible choice and he will have to suffer the consequences the NHL see's fit in dishing out. No need for this to go on in the New York courts.

[azrael492]

I am all for this going to the courts if they think it should. He took a huge, heavy stick and swung at a person's head, hitting him in the face/neck area. He could have caused permanent damage if it was a little lower.

Sure if it happened out on the streets in LI, it would be criminal...but it didn't.

Are you trying to say there are no laws players have to abide by as long as they are playing the game? Where would it end. Is he allowed to repeatedly hit him in the head, or is one swing all they're allowed.

It was in the heat of the moment, he made a terrible choice and he will have to suffer the consequences the NHL see's fit in dishing out.

So, it is OK to assault somebody as long as they are playing a game?

I don't know what they would charge him with or what the punishment should be, but something needs to be done. Athletes need to know they can not get away with this.

I remember another incident in the 80s with the Reds. I forget the team they played, but Mario Soto hit a batter. He rushed the mound and Soto fired the ball and hit him. At the time he was one of my favorite players. I lost all respect for him, and remember telling my sister he should be arrested. I was shocked that he just got away with it.

[EmpireWF]

If you will charge a player for something like that, then why does the NHL allow fighting. The league can't be hypocritical. Charge players for assault every time a fight breaks out and refs let them duke it out.

[azrael492]

I don't really watch hockey....just the occasional game. I was not aware they were allowed to fight like that. I am not sure where the line should be drawn, but I think there is a difference between 2 padded athletes punching each other and one grabbing a weapon to basically sneak attack him.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

If you will charge a player for something like that, then why does the NHL allow fighting. The league can't be hypocritical. Charge players for assault every time a fight breaks out and refs let them duke it out.

Yep...If its on the ice, and a continuation of an ice related incident...it should stay on the ice period. Part of the game...an ugly part of it...but part of it.

[blueandwhite]

mervinout and i had a big discussion about it on the rangers thread yesterday that saw both sides - in my opinion, it's an nhl problem, and it's ongoing - it doesn't just appear with Simon's hit and the problem needs to be fixed beyond punishing Simon.
Simon's come out with a statement, saying he received a concussion from his hit into the boards and he wasn't feeling well after that, and when he saw the replay - he says he can't remember doing the hockey stick slash- he was "disgusted". he doesn't say it justifies what he did and he says he is waiting for his punishment - i thought it was a well thought out statement from a big lunkhead.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

For all of those Islanders fan who believe that he should not be penalized, they obviously do not have taste for moral and ethical behavior. If a Rangers athlete did this to an Islander, then those select fans would be ringleaders in charging the Ranger with criminal charges.

No I wouldn't.

[blueandwhite]

I believe you, Pundit. I never got the impression that you were okay with it because he was an Isle.