Parents and coach brawl at kids' hockey tourney in Hamilton, prompting refs to halt game

A hockey game involving players seven and eight years old came to a halt at a Hamilton arena after parents and at least one coach became involved in a wild brawl behind the boards.

The game between the Toronto Stars Black and the Northern Saints Gold of the Klevr Super League (KSL) on Sunday was part of a season-opening tournament at Gateway Ice Centre. 

A one-minute video from the arena shows two people yelling behind the net and boards at one end of the rink, then moving toward each other and fighting. Punches were thrown and others got involved while the youngsters continued to play, unaware of the fighting until the referee stopped the game. The players, who were sent to their benches, watched as the people in the fight were separated. 

The KSL refused an on-camera interview, but in a statement to CBC, co-founder Jamie Stone said "the KSL intends to take appropriate action, and has taken interim steps including suspensions." 

Kris Versteeg, a former NHL player whose 11 seasons included one with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is a co-founder of the KSL, which isn't sanctioned by Hockey Canada.

The KSL, in a post on Instagram, said "we will not let the actions of a few overshadow the fun and spirit of KSL events. We have consistently communicated and enforced our expectations regarding parent and coach conduct and will continue to rigorously uphold these standards. Behavior that violates our code of conduct will result in discipline, including permanently losing participation privileges in the KSL. There is no place in the KSL for violent or aggressive behavior by anyone."

In an email to CBC, the Toronto Stars Hockey Club said it's "aware of the situation and takes such matters seriously. We are further aware that the KSL is