VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Marty McSorley sat
expressionless as prosecutors opened his assault trial by showing
video of him bashing Donald Brashear over the head with his stick
during a game.
McSorley, an NHL enforcer who played for the Boston Bruins last
season, faces up to 1½ years in prison if convicted of assault with
a weapon.
Prosecutor Mike Hicks introduced several exhibits, including a
14-minute video of the Feb. 21 game with the Vancouver Canucks in
which McSorley and Brashear fought in the first period. McSorley's
late-game hit on Brashear was shown from different angles.
McSorley, who has spent 17 years in the league, watched the tape
stoically, jotting down notes at times.
Also displayed were photos of Brashear's battered face taken by
the team photographer one day after the game. Brashear sustained a
concussion and returned to play near the end of last season.
The first witness called by the prosecutor was NHL referee Brad
Watson, who officiated the game.
Hicks asked Watson how referees and linesmen prepare for games and whether they pay special attention to certain players or certain teams, the Canadian Press reported.
"I noticed Donald Brashear and Marty McSorley were dressed," said Watson, referring to his pre-game review of the rosters.
"There could be more physical contact with players of that nature."
Watson said he wasn't expecting the fight early in the first period.
He testified he believed the first altercation was an attempt by McSorley to fire up the Bruins, who looked flat and had fallen behind 1-0 early in the game.
By the time Vancouver had jumped to a 4-0 lead, Watson said he was aware the game could get rougher.
"Boston was flat. I thought to myself, 'Be aware, because something could happen.' "
This is the first trial for an on-ice attack by an NHL player
since Dino Ciccarelli, then with the Minnesota North Stars, was
sentenced in 1988. He received one day in jail and a $1,000 fine
for striking Toronto's Luke Richardson with his stick.
The key issue is not whether McSorley struck Brasher but whether
such an attack in pro hockey constitutes assault with a weapon. The
NHL contends disciplinary matters should left to the league.
McSorley was suspended by the NHL for the final 23 games of the
season. He lost about $70,000 in pay and is an unrestricted free
agent. He still must meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman before
he is cleared to play.
McSorley is unsigned and had shoulder surgery in the offseason.
At 37, it's not clear if he will play again, regardless of the
outcome of the trial.
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AUDIO VIDEO
 Marty McSorley talks with ESPN's Steve Levy on Up Close.
RealVideo: 56.6
Marty McSorley attacks an unsuspecting Donald Brashear.
avi: 1060 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 Criminal defense attorney Colleen Smith gives her analysis of the trial's opening day.
wav: 175 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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