Former Maple Leafs player Mikhail Grabovski accused of assault
· Toronto Sun
Former Toronto Maple Leafs centre Mikhail Grabovski has been accused of assaulting a hockey coach following an Ontario Minor Hockey Association playoff game in Markham that police say left the victim injured.
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York Regional Police said officers were called March 14 at approximately 10:50 p.m. to Markham Village Community Centre at Markham Rd. and Hwy. 7 for reports of an assault.
Police said officers arrested a male suspect and he was charged with one count of assault. The victim was transported to hospital with minor injuries.
Court records show the charge was sworn March 30, with a first court appearance scheduled for June 12 in Newmarket.
While a police spokesperson said they were unable to provide further details days after the incident, a source told the Toronto Sun that the man facing the assault charge is 42-year-old Grabovski, who coaches the Markham Waxers AAA under-15 squad.
A search of York Region court records reveals an assault charge was filed against Grabovski weeks later.
Phone and email messages left with Grabovski asking if he or a legal representative had any comments in response to the charge went unanswered.
OMHA aware of post-game incident
The OMHA said in an emailed statement that the league is aware of the post-game incident.
“The Ontario Minor Hockey Association is aware of this situation and does not condone this type of behaviour, nor does it reflect the values of the OMHA or the sport,” the statement reads.
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The league also said Grabovski was suspended while a police investigation takes place.
“As there is an ongoing police investigation, the OMHA will have no further comment.”
Penalty-filled blowout
The Waxers were contesting a playoff game at their home rink against the York Simcoe Express, won by the visitors in a penalty-filled 11-0 blowout.
According to the official game summary , a total of 61 minutes in penalties were called, with most occurring during the third period for boarding, roughing, and head contact. A five-minute major for head contact was assessed against a Waxers player with about six minutes left in the game.
Referees also handed out a 10-minute misconduct to the Waxers for “disrespectful and abusive behaviour” at the end of the game.
As the players were skating off the ice, the source said the Waxers coach went after the Express coach heading to the dressing room and allegedly attacked him.
Commotion off the ice
Videos viewed by the Sun show both referees and linesmen about to make their way off the ice at one end of the rink. However, they all turned around and skated to an exit at the opposite end following a commotion off the ice.
“You f—ing coward,” a person off camera can be heard shouting in one video as people at the rink began to yell.
The source said after the coaches were separated, death threats were allegedly made. Parents from both teams watched the arena’s security camera footage and were troubled by the incident, the source added.
During the third period, the Waxers coach can be seen on video yelling at Express players following a goal. That led to both benches shouting at each other for parts of the rest of the game.
Expected back for next season
According to his biography on the Waxers team site , Grabovski served as head coach of the under-14 and under-15 AAA squads and is expected to be back to coach the under-16 team next season.
“As head coach of the Waxers U16 AAA team for the 2026/2027 season, Grabovski brings a high-tempo, development-first approach built on accountability, structure, and competitive habits,” his bio reads.
“His philosophy emphasizes pace of play, hockey IQ, and individual responsibility within a team framework, preparing players for advancement within the high-performance pathway.”
His personal website advertises a link to Nitro Hockey Academy , a company he founded in York Region that offers young hockey players programs and camps for skill development.
Grabovski, who was born in Germany to parents from Belarus, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the fifth round of the 2004 NHL draft.
After skating in 27 games with the Habs, Grabovski was traded to the Maple Leafs in 2008 where he played the majority of his NHL career, scoring 91 goals and 208 points over five seasons. He also suited up with the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders.