Don Taylor (VP)

Immediately following the conclusion of an overtime game, one of the officials standing in front of the losing team's (Rockets) bench was struck in the back with a water bottle. He did not know who throw it, and no one owned up to it, therefore (with the game concluded) he was unable to make a call. However, he was very upset about the incident and filed a report to the RIHL President.

While the level of violence in this incident could be argued as minimal, the level of disrespect toward an official is extreme and potentially dangerous. It was a misguided response that reflects poorly, not only to the player, but to his team and in fact the entire league. As such, a full investigation is warranted and appropriate action is required.

From the official, Rusty Mason:

"Tonight the 1st game of the series went to overtime, with the Plugs beating the Rockets 7-6.

When the Plugs scored their overtime goal, I was at the blue line in front of the Rockets bench. As the goal was scored I took two or three strides away from the boards just inside the blue line. At this point I was struck in the back by an object. I turned and saw a water bottle on the ice. Incensed I immediately turned to the Rockets bench and said, 'who threw that'. Players skated by me and no one claimed it. They said, 'I don't know'.

#2 of the Rockets said, 'you should have made the call'. I said to #2 'did you throw that'. He smiled and said, 'No, I don't know who threw it'.

Frankly, this is an absolute disrespect for the officials. Clearly the bottle was intended to be thrown at an official, hitting me squarely in the back. It would result in a Gross Misconduct if we knew the player that threw it."

From Brad Miller of the Rockets:

" I have spoken with a few players from our team this is what happened to my understanding:

An empty water bottle was thrown on to the ice by # 2 Rob Collins immediately following the game winning goal and it hit rusty in the back. I haven't been able to speak to rob yet, so I don't know if this was intentional or not, and was on the ice at the time, but let's face it, it sure looks obvious.

Rob is a very emotional player and may have let that get the best of him.

We fully support the leagues decision, and feel like we need to do what's necessary"

See Plaintiff Report.

After a few conversations with various players, there seems to be no question that the guilty party was indeed Rob Collins (#2 Rockets).

The degree of guilt as measured by intention is somewhat in question. There are witnesses that report that the throwing of the bottle was not necessarily aimed at the official, but hit him accidentally. That may be difficult to prove one way or another, but I have to liken it somewhat to a high-sticking penalty in that even if it is accidental, you are responsible for your stick. Throwing a water bottle on the ice is at least an unsportsmanlike penalty, an quite likely a misconduct. Being that it was in the last 10 minutes, the very least suspension should be 1 game.

However, the reaction of the official indicates that had he known who did it, it would have (rightly or wrongly) been called Gross Misconduct. That could call for multiple games. We are at full discretion to assess as many games as would be appropriate.

An apology would go a long way here. The Rockets have offered to issue that in writing, but it would be better if it came from the offender himself (if he is indeed sorry). Remorse aside, the severity of the punishment should depend greatly on intent. If the offender did indeed intend to hit the official with the water bottle, that would be quite different than frustration leading to an accident.

We have heard reports that he may not have intended to hit the official. That may be true, but if it is, then the player would have done well to apologize right then and there. If he did so, then this conversation probably wouldn't have been necessary. So accident or not, disciplinary action is now necessary.

I am satisfied with the level of regret that has been expressed by the Rockets, and I feel they are doing what is right and necessary for reparation. Rob Collins, either by his or the Rickets choice, did not play the final game.

The outcome is now lying heavily on the response of the offender.

- Doug Collins
RIHL President

After investigation the following comment and motion was issued by RIHL President, Doug Collins:

"Rob Collins threw a water bottle that hit the official in the back. That seems to be an indisputable fact. It is conceivable that he did not intend to hit the referee, but undeniable that he intended to throw it and throw it onto the ice. That in itself is grounds for a misconduct. If it was indeed accidental, the proper response would have been to apologize then and there. It probably would have ended there. Instead it was denied, which now becomes evidence that it was in fact intentional to some degree.

I'm quite certain Rusty would have called a Gross Misconduct had he known for sure who had thrown the water bottle, therefore I feel that is the level of suspension we should be considering."

MOTION: Rob Collins is to be suspended for 5 games, to be reduced by 2 games with a written apology to the Rusty Mason and the League from Rob Collins.
SECOND: Don Taylor

MOTION TO AMMEND (Ken Mattice): We (The RIHL) implement a 5 game suspension and send Rusty an apology letter from the League cc ing all of the other officials. Notifying them that these sorts of actions will not be tolerated by the League.
SECOND: Don Taylor

POINT OF ORDER: (Doug Collins): We cannot force a condition in the ruling that is the responsibility of the League and not the defendant. A letter from the League is a matter of good policy, but not something to be imposed by way of Disciplinary Action.

MOTION TO AMMEND (Doug Collins): "Rob Collins is to be suspended for 5 games."
SECOND: Ken Mattice

With unanimous support, a 5 game suspension to begin a the start of the 2015-2016 RIHL season has been imposed on Rob Collins.

In follow up, the RIHL will offer a letter of apology from the Disciplinary Committee on behalf of the entire RIHL. (see letter).

This incident, is viewed quite serious by the RIHL and it is hoped that the severity of the suspension will serve a reminder the respect for officials is paramount in the RIHL.

- Doug Collins
RIHL President