Father Charged in Hockey Game Disruption

Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced charges on Tuesday against a local man who allegedly disrupted a girls’ hockey game last week, by pointing a green light laser pointer at the ice during the game, in an apparent attempt to distract the opposing team‘s players.

“After a comprehensive review of the facts, evidence, relevant statutes, and case law, police and prosecutors agreed that Joseph Cordes, the 42-year old ‘hockey dad’ should be charged with disturbing the peace for his alleged actions on the evening of February 29,” according to a press release from Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley’s office.

The incident took place at Larsen Rink last Wednesday, February 29, during a first round girls hockey playoff game between Ashland-Medway and Winthrop in the MIAA tournament.

According to officials and spectators at the game, as the two teams began the third period of a 0-0 game, the accused suspect allegedly shined a green laser at the Medway goalie. Winthrop school officials acted quickly to have the suspect removed from rink, just minutes after the laser was spotted by parents.

The District Attorney’s office reported that, “witnesses told police they saw what they believed to be a green laser beam pointed toward the goalie’s helmet. Witnesses also said they followed its path to a man sitting all alone in the upper bleachers with his right arm folded under his left and apparently cupping something in his right hand. That man was later identified,” by school officials and is reportedly known to local authorities.

A school employee ejected the suspect from the rink and notified Winthrop Police later. School officials also provided a copy of the video tape of the game to police as evidence in the case.

The suspect will be summonsed for arraignment in East Boston District Court at a later date.

Though the incident does not appear to have had any direct impact on the outcome of the game, which Winthrop won by the score of 3-1, the fallout from has been significant, as parents and residents from both communities have expressed their concern that the distraction caused by the suspect could have led to an injury or worse on the ice.