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Saturday, July 26 Prosecutor to decide whether Hasek will be charged ESPN.com news services |
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PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Dominik Hasek's agent said that the goalie's legal troubles in his homeland should not impact his return to the ice for the Detroit Red Wings this season, the Detroit Free Press reported Saturday. "I don't think it will have any effect on Dom's playing in Detroit," Rich Winter said. In the Czech Republic, police completed their investigation and say charges should be brought against the NHL star for hurting a player during an inline hockey game.
Hasek, returning to Detroit after a one-year retirement, has denied any wrongdoing.
Police investigated for two months and on Wednesday sent their report to the state prosecutor, who will decide whether Hasek will be formally charged with causing bodily harm, an offense punishable by up to eight years in prison, police spokeswoman Ilona Kratochvilova said Friday.
She said police relied on eyewitness accounts and medical reports from the hospital where the injured played was treated.
Police began investigating Hasek after a May 18 game in Pardubice. Hasek, playing for Bonfire Strida, collided with Martin Sila of SK Pardubice. According to media reports, Hasek knocked Sila down with a crosscheck to the back, sat on him and hit him in the neck several times with his stick.
Kratochvilova declined to provide details about Sila's injuries.
Hasek would like to have the case settled as soon as possible, his press representative, Roman Hozak, told The Associated Press on Friday.
Hasek is a six-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's best goalie and two-time Hart Trophy winner as the league's most valuable player. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1998.
He retired from the NHL in 2002, having led the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup title, and lives in the Czech Republic. Several weeks after the inline game, Hasek startled fans by announcing his return to Detroit. Information from the Associated Press was used in this article. |
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