Chaos erupts at Aylmer hockey game as police called

Tashi Farmilo

A heated M18 AA hockey game at the Frank-Robinson Arena in Aylmer turned violent Saturday evening, erupting into chaos both on and off the ice. The matchup between the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the Outaouais Olympiques ended with a dramatic series of brawls, resulting in a staggering 289 penalty minutes and multiple suspensions.

Tensions flared as the tightly contested game concluded with the Olympiques narrowly defeating the Voltigeurs by one point. The on-ice scuffles escalated, with players jumping the plexiglass to join fights in the stands. Parents, some allegedly intoxicated, clashed violently, using fists and hockey sticks in the melee. Witnesses reported children sitting near rowdy adults engaging in inappropriate and aggressive behaviour throughout the game.

“It was shocking to see adults behaving like that with so many kids around,” a spectator told the Aylmer Bulletin, claiming excessive drinking fueled the brawl. "Some of the gestures and language were downright disgusting.”

According to reports, the violence began after an intoxicated individual issued threats and taunted others to fight. While the game had officially ended, the hostilities surged into a full-blown altercation. Injuries were reported among the participants, though no details were provided on the severity.

On the ice, the Voltigeurs accumulated 173 penalty minutes while the Olympiques racked up 122. Several players received suspensions, including one who faces a 19-game ban.

Gatineau police confirmed they received emergency calls shortly after 8 p.m. regarding a disturbance at the arena on Patrimoine Street. By the time officers arrived, the situation was under control, managed by arena staff. Police stated the altercations stemmed from disputes between parents of opposing teams, but no injuries or arrests were reported. Officers maintained a presence at the venue to ensure the safety of patrons as the event concluded.

This is the second such incident in the Aylmer sector during the same hockey tournament, following a disturbance at the Paul-et-Isabelle-Duchesnay Arena on Friday. Gatineau police have not announced further investigations but stressed their role in securing these events and supporting arena management in preventing future escalations.