Following a two-month police investigation, the state prosecutor in the Czech Republic is looking into an incident that occurred during a May 18 inline hockey game which could lead to Hasek being charged with "causing bodily harm," an offense that can bring up to 8 years in prison.

During the game, Hasek collided with Martin Sila and media reports in the Czech Republic say Hasek knocked Sila down with a crosscheck to his back, sat on him, and hit in the neck with his stick.

The Detroit Red Wings say this will not prevent him from returning to the team this coming season.

We shall see...

~Adam

I heard this on the news yesterday too. If Hasek is facing a possible 8 year sentence, that must have been an extremely violent attack. Of course, the penalties for assault in the Czech Republic may be more severe than they are here. I'm not sure if the two incidents can be compared fairly, but I recall Marty McSorley served only a suspension and fine after his well-publicized hit on Donald Brashear a few years ago.

Dominik Hasek will not be charged for hurting Martin Sila in the inline hockey game. The prosecutor stated there is no evidence that Hasek caused injuries or intended to injure Sila & further ordered thatt he case be treated as a misdemeanor. Hasek faces a fine of approximately $105.

~Adam

I wonder what Judge Judy would have fined him. Hmmmm. eek!

From the Associated Press:

The attorney general of the Czech Republic ordered a new investigation into whether Detroit Red Wing goalie Dominik Hasek injured a player during an amateur in-line hockey game last May. During the game, while Hasek was retired from the NHL, he collided with a man who was then hospitalized for three days. police suggested criminal charges be filed.

In August, a prosecutor said there was no evidence Hasek caused bodily harm and recommended the case be treated as a misdemeanor punishable with a fine up to about $110.

But Thursday, the country's top prosecutor canceled that ruling, saying it was unlawful, spokesman Pavel Macur said. "The reason for that is that not all the facts and circumstances were properly investigated."

Hasek's attorney, Pavel Jelinek, was angered by the decision. "I think it's nonsense...If Hasek was not involved, it would have been over a long time ago."

If convicted of causing bodily harm, Hasek could face up to eight years in prison.

It's like something from "Bleak House"--a legal case that will not go away!

~Adam

This story was mentioned in the story about Hasek in this months edition of ESPN magazine. Sounded like Hasek was really missing the NHL at the time.