This is a pretty sickening clip from a professional hockey game in Sweden over the weekend, where former NHLer Andre Deveaux launched a seemingly unprovoked attack on an opponent during pre-game warmups.
In the footage below (courtesy of Expressen) Deveaux – who had a cup of coffee in the NHL with the Maple Leafs and Rangers – can be seen approaching the victim, Per Helmersson, from behind and delivering a vicious two-handed slash to his lower body, taking out Helmersson’s legs before delivering another blow to his head as he fell to the ice.
According to Chris Peters of CBS Sports, Deveaux received no penalties as a result of his actions and both he and Helmersson played in the game. As of right now, Deveaux has yet to face any league discipline either. Frankly, he’s lucky he’s not facing any criminal charges.
Not only is what he pulled dangerous and unacceptable, it’s also borderline assault with a deadly weapon. According to Tim Miller, who played with Deveaux on the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, it’s not exactly out of character for the guy, who he not-so-affectionately referred to as a “piece of shit.”
Watched #deveaux sucker punch a teammate in between periods for taking his pp time while we were winning #qualityteammate
— Tim Miller (@Millsi14) March 30, 2015
Then watched #deveaux bit*ch out brass and awesome equipment manager for missing tap in, blaming it on his “terrible” sticks #qualityperson
— Tim Miller (@Millsi14) March 30, 2015
Sounds like a good human.
Update: Per @SportExpressen, Deveaux’s contract with his team has been terminated, but not before he was able to play two full games after the incident. Deveaux had this to say in a statement:
The emotions took over for me there for a few seconds. Although my reputation seems to precede me, I am not a violent person. If anything, perhaps a passionate player. My intent was never to inflict any serious injury and given that I’m a much bigger person than Helmersson, it is clear that if the damage has been my intention, he had not been able to play the game. (via)
Wow, great stuff. “I’m not a violent person, but a passionate player!” says the man who viciously blindsides an opponent with a vicious attack in PRE-GAME warmups. “Sure, I attacked him, but I could have seriously injured him if I wanted to!” says the man who took a two-handed baseball swing to a guy’s legs. What a scumbag.
