The Calgary Flames hockey club issued a statement Tuesday, that team officials have met with prospect Michael Ferland to discuss an assault charge laid on him as a result of an incident that occurred during a bar outing in Cochrane, Alberta, a small Canadian town about an hour and a half outside of Banff.
Ferland is a 20-year-old, left winger who was drafted to the Flames in 2010. He has since played with the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings, a junior hockey leagues that kind of functions as a developmental league much like the NBA D-League or NCAA does for NBA prospects. Hockey players are often drafted in high school to a junior league and then the NHL during their first couple years of college. College programs do little for advancement into an NHL career.
Ferland has been charged with aggravated assault and assault as a result of the incident that reportedly occurred. Police were called to a bar on July 29. According to the police, at around 1:10 AM, a male was pushed outside the bar. A another male tired to assist him but he was then struck in the face, knocked unconscious and had the orbital bone around his eye fractured. The attacker then left the scene. An investigation would lead to Ferland.
Ferland has commented on the situation saying that:
It upset me to hear that someone might have been hurt and I am embarrassed by these accusations but I trust the court process and look forward to having this situation behind me as soon as possible.
“While embarrassed, Michael maintains he is innocent with respect to the charges,” the Flames’ statement stated. “The organization will support Michael as he moves through the legal process.”
Ferland is scheduled to appear in court on September 4.
He scored 47-goals in a 96-point in the 2011-2012 season, doubling his 2010-11 season stats. Ferland has been signed to the Flames since May 2012 on a three year, entry-level deal.