WHS PLAYER MAY BE CHARGED

—>WASILLA A Wasilla High School hockey player may face an assault charge after punching a Colony player in the face during the post-game handshakes Friday night at Brett Memorial Ice Arena.

After a hard-hitting game Colony won 10-4, Wasillas Ryan Johnson, 17, punched Colony captain Nolan Ross, also 17, in the face as the two met in the handshake line.

Ross, knocked unconscious by the blow, fell to the ice, where he remained for several minutes before being escorted the locker room by the Colony trainers.

A Wasilla Police Department investigation is continuing, although no charges have been filed as of Monday morning, according to a WPD official.

He was not arrested at the time, and there is an investigation into the incident, said Theresa Adams of WPD.

Ross said the action was unexpected even though the game was physical.

I didnt even see it coming, he just got me on the side of my head, Ross said. I was out. When I finally woke up, I was dizzy and my head was kind of spinning.

Wasilla coach Chris Faeo immediately tried to restrain the agitated

Johnson by grabbing his helmet. Johnson got away from Faeo after Faeo pulled his jersey over Johnsons head, but WHS principal Dwight Probasco got control of Johnson, who was led away to the locker room without further incident.

The two teams departed the ice, and WPD officers were called to the scene as tempers flared. Johnson did not leave the locker room as WPD officers entered to question him about the incident.

Ross said he did nothing to provoke Johnson.

All I said to him was, Good game, Johnson, and I had my head down, Ross said. I did not expect him to do it. The game was over.

Probasco said on-ice actions such as fighting often carry consequences at school.

It wasnt part of the hockey game, Probasco said.

While not discussing Johnsons case specifically, Probasco did say that disciplinary actions including a suspension from school can result for a students action during extracurricular activities.