Christopher Moorhouse Charged in Banana-Throwing Incident
By David Strehle
NHL Hot Stove Managing Editor
The person alleged to have thrown a banana onto the ice surface at the John Labatt Centre, London, Ontario during last Thursday’s exhibition game between the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers has been arrested.
Simmonds beats Pearce in shootout. (Photo credit: Dave Chidley / Canadian Press)
It was announced today at an 11:45 a.m. press conference that Christopher Moorhouse, 26, has been charged with engaging in a prohibited act under the “Trespass to Property Act”. If convicted, the maximum fine Moorhouse could face is $2,000.
The section it would appear that authorities charged Moorhouse may be in the “Trespass an offence” portion, under article 2(a). In subsection (ii), it states ”engages in an activity on premises when the activity is prohibited under this Act.”
The banana was thrown in the path of Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds as he was skating toward the Detroit goal as the first shootout attempt of a tie game.
Simmonds, who is an African-Canadian, kept his wits, dodged the piece of fruit, and incredibly was able to score on Red Wings goalie Jordan Pearce.
After reviewing the incident, London Police Chief Brad Duncan found that the incident did not meet the threshold to be charged as a hate crime.
Duncan asked that the public not engage in any kind of vigilante justice, and to let the situation take the appropriate course through the courts.
Late Thursday night, player agent Scott Norton of Norton Sports had offered a $500 for information that led to the identity of and arrest of the person (or #RacistPig, as Norton has been referring to him on Twitter) responsible for the reprehensible act. Several fans immediately jumped in and offered to add money to the reward, as well.
Norton was understandably very satisfied with the ultimate fruition of his efforts in a statement given to NHL Hot Stove:
“I am very excited that all of my efforts, along with others in London, were successful in providing information which led to the culprits apprehension and ultimate arrest,” the agent said. ”Shows the good in people, #MMDM (“Make My Day Monday“), and the power of Twitter.”
It is yet unknown if that reward will be claimed.
Simmonds, who battled with New York Ranger forward Sean Avery on Monday in a skirmish in which Avery accused Simmonds of using a homophobic slur, has to be ready to put the two incidents behind him and concentrate solely on hockey.
If you have any comments or questions, you can email the author at dstrehle@nhlhotstove.com. You can also follow him on Twitter – @David_Strehle
Congratulations to all parties involved in apprehending this VICIOUS criminal; you have probably ruined this young man’s life (certainty diminished his chances at his choice career) because of a bit of (immature) college humor at a hockey game.
Some things just shouldn’t be investigated. This is one of those things.
Christopher, is that you?
Mr. Dude, I would tend to disagree. Regardless of the obvious racist intentions, the act in itself was beyond DANGEROUS. If you throw an object onto the ice, or any playing surface in any sporting event, it should be considered a criminal act in itself. Simmonds was in the process of skating in on goal in a shootout, and if not for having seen it, could have very well been injured. Simmonds is actually 3 years younger than the poor, unfortunate 26-year-old Moorhouse, who just may have had the scope of his future endeavors narrowed. Poor guy…
Do we have to wait for any professional player’s career to be ruined by the ridiculously ignorant actions of a fan throwing something in their path during a game? If so, I shouldn’t even be wasting my fingers (internet version of “wasting my breath”). I respect your opinion, but I think you need to re-evaluate your stance…unless you are a defense attorney, because you are certainly making the defendant out to be a victim.
Alex, I do not believe this to be Mr. Moorhouse himself, but perhaps it is his legal counsel?
If this “idiot” had a brain in his head he wouldn’t be facing the consequences of his moronic actions. You seem to have his type of mentality. You probably do the same type of things this clown does, with the idea that “it’s not my fault”. I had a bad upbringing… I was bottle fed at birth… or the ever popular, I’m just terribly misunderstood!!!
With this comment, it’s apparent that you too could use a whole lot of growing up.
Hey “That Dude” you sound like one of those punks who would have done the same ignorant “college prank” (humour as you call it). Get a grip that society is trying to change this very thing from occuring. Small minded individuals like yourself are the root cause of digression in any successes with educating adults and children alike that colour is not what makes the person, actions are. Good luck getting a good footing in a career Christopher Moorhouse. Just like those punks caught in the Vancouver Stanley Cup Final riot, you get what you deserve (nice pic of you on Yahoo by the way you jerk).
In response to That Dude’s comment.. Seriously? What he did was wrong, it’s not like he’s 5. He should be ashamed of himself and be held fully accountable for his actions!
Racism is not acceptable!
The only way this guy gets in trouble for this is if he confesses. Even with all the cell phones and video cameras that come with them, it is unlikely that someone caught a video of this guy in the act of throwing the banana that also clearly shows his face, and follows that banana to the ice.
The only reason Moorehouse felt remorse is like most people who commit any type of crime, is he got caught.
The guy was indeed an idiot – and should be made to apologize – and perhaps be banned from attending events for an extended period of time.
To assume he is a racist though I believe is not correct. First, understanding it was a banana – he may have had that with him, but could he have not had an orange? Guess what I am saying is that it may be coincidence – more to come as they investigate. Second – if it were intentional to have a banana – he would had to have know PRIOR that this point in time would occur so that he had the correct fruit at the ready.
There were reports that a second banana had been thrown earlier in the game – also when Simmonds was on the ice – that did not reach the ice surface. It would have to had to be a really big coincidence that bananas were thrown multiple times when Simmonds was on the ice. Sounds more like premeditation to me.