B.C. judge has harsh words for former junior hockey player who beat girlfriend

KAMLOOPS — A former junior hockey player has been handed 75 days’ house arrest after what a judge called a “shocking” attack that left his girlfriend with broken teeth.

Isaac Willard was also ordered to pay more than $6,600 in restitution to cover the woman’s medical expenses.

Willard, 23, played with the Chase Heat in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League in the 2011-2012 season.

He had no criminal record on April 17, when he and his friends went to a pub in Chase to watch a hockey game.

Crown lawyer Monica Fras said Willard’s thengirlfriend showed up at about 11 p.m., and that the pair stayed until the pub closed at 1 a.m.

Fras said that while they walking to Willard’s home, the former hockey star became irritable during normal conversation and swore at his girlfriend.

She began trailing him as they walked, court heard, until he turned around and grabbed her by the hair, forcing her to the ground.

Willard held her down, punched her in the face and kicked her in the ribs. A neighbour heard the woman’s screams and called 911.

Fras told provincial court the victim was left with injuries to her nose and right ear, as well as several broken teeth.

Defence lawyer Don Campbell said Willard played hockey at a high level since he was eight and began abusing alcohol as a teenager. Willard apologized in court. “I’m sorry to her and the family,” he said, not turning to face the victim and her relatives seated in the first row of the courtroom.

“I don’t know what happened. She’s a really good person and I really messed up.”

Judge Stephen Harrison called the attack “shocking” and had harsh words for Willard.

“It was a particularly nasty assault that you embarked on for no reason,” he said.