SAGUENAY, Quebec (AP) -The son of NHL great Patrick Roy will stand trial Oct. 7 on charges he assaulted a goaltender during a game last year, an outburst that prompted a national debate on violence in hockey.
Jonathan Roy had been trying to get the case thrown out, but his request was rejected by Quebec court judge Valmont Beaulieu.
Roy, a former goalie with the Quebec Remparts, is accused of beating rival goalie Bobby Nadeau in March 2008 during a game in Quebec’s major junior league. He skated across the ice and rained blows on his opponent.
Roy’s lawyer argued that his client was targeted by prosecutors because of his family name. He also contends Roy was the victim of a biased police investigation and misconduct by prosecutors. He adds that the government pursued his client on new provincial rules that hadn’t been in place when the attack occurred.
Under rules introduced in July 2008, Quebec’s Office of Public Prosecution toughened a 30-year-old regulation that made assault charges possible for a hockey player only when injury resulted.
injuries, and Roy’s lawyers say no charges should have been filed. Roy was charged three days after July 28, 2008, when the tougher regulations took effect.
The judge said cases should be tossed only in exceptional circumstances and concluded Roy’s case did not meet that standard.
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