Red Deer Minor Hockey has announced it is conducting an internal investigation following the appearance of a video reportedly showing one of its coaches, former NHL player Nick Tarnasky, in an altercation on a golf course.
The incident reportedly occurred recently at the Alberta Springs Golf Resort, located near Red Deer, Alberta.
The widely circulated video appears to show Tarnasky arguing with another individual. The other man then reportedly moves aggressively towards Tarnasky, who is seen lifting and throwing the man into a pond. After the individual gets out of the water and approaches again, the video shows Tarnasky delivering several punches, reportedly exclaiming “bang” with each strike, before once again throwing the man.
Based on dialogue audible in the video, the confrontation seems to have been triggered by comments concerning the pace of play.
Tarnasky, aged 40, had an NHL career from 2005 to 2010, playing 245 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators, and Florida Panthers, accumulating nearly 300 penalty minutes. Following his NHL tenure, he played several seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) before transitioning to coaching.
Red Deer Minor Hockey had recently announced Tarnasky`s return as the head coach for the U17 AAA North Stars team for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
In a statement, the organization acknowledged the situation: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media involving a coach with Red Deer Minor Hockey. At this time, given that we understand the matter is being reviewed by local policing authorities and we are conducting our own internal investigation into the alleged incident, we will have no further comments.”
However, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has stated it is not currently investigating the incident.
Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, a public information officer for the RCMP in Central Alberta, explained that officers from the Blackfalds detachment received a third-party report regarding an altercation on the golf course. However, the individual who reported it had departed the scene before police arrived.
According to Savinkoff, “It was essentially a report of a fight and an intoxicated individual.”
He added, “Nobody came forward to us alleging an assault or anything like that, and our investigation was concluded.”
A request for comment has been sent to the Alberta Springs Golf Resort.
