[News] Flames prospect Ferland charged with assault - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

minnow · 08-07-2012, 06:40 PM

Sounds a bit like the Joe Thornton situation many years back. He helped out family who got in trouble at a local bar. Don't remember the details or outcome, think it was pretty much swept under the rug?

Stay Golden · 08-07-2012, 07:06 PM

Sounds like some jackhammer wanted to test Ferland as a known scraper and he was probably goated into a fight.
Unless any of us were there its all speculation what did or didn't happen and what were the sequence of events.

I will give Ferland the benefit of the doubt having grown up with Wes Walz back in the day and seeing how drunk idiots acted towards him once he was drafted by the Bruins many times at Curly's NE.

nik- · 08-07-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Sounds like some jackhammer wanted to test Ferland as a known scraper and he was probably goated into a fight.

While yes, it's all speculation, that's not what it sounds like at all.

Stay Golden · 08-07-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

While yes, it's all speculation, that's not what it sounds like at all.

My personal opinion would be based on speculation only on what I saw Wes have to put up with on a average Saturday night, guys basically jealous of all the girl action and that he was going to be somebody they were not ever going to be.
Doesn't mean this is the same situation as Ferland but it is common for guys to act all tough around athletes.
Maybe Ferland was the one acting like the tough guy, but i doubt it.

jayswin · 08-07-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Sounds like some jackhammer wanted to test Ferland as a known scraper and he was probably goated into a fight.

MrMastodonFarm · 08-07-2012, 07:39 PM

That was great flameswin, kudos.

Stay Golden · 08-07-2012, 07:41 PM

^
nice find thats funny (goaded)

BigFlameDog · 08-07-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The RCMP investigate, then turn to the Crown and say "this is what we believe happened and here is our evidence." The Crown files the charges, but it is based on what the RCMP tells them.

And yes, there definitely might be two sides to the story, which is why I very clearly said that "if" Ferland is guilty of what is being alleged, he should be punted. I also said that "if" it was actually a fight with two willing participants, things change. I felt I was quite clear in expressing the conditions by which I would support terminating his contract.

Sorry.....might have been thrown off by the "ugh, yeah" to start the post.

If by investigate you mean, talk to both parties and take statements and then present to the crown, then yes they probably investigated. The charges they suggested could very well have been bumped up by the Crown without the RCMP even talking to them.

Out of whack charges happen all the time, it's usually the reason a seemingly serious set of charges gets thrown out.

chockfullofgoodness · 08-07-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Who hasn't got in a fight before? Who cares.

I'm sure most of us have been in fights. The difference is that most of us probably haven't been charged with aggravated assault. The charge against Ferland isn't some 'boys will be boys' BS. This kid could be looking at jail time. Time will tell of course, but it seems the Crown feels it has a legitimate shot at convicting him.

chockfullofgoodness · 08-07-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Actually I did think aggravated assault was just a bar fight.

"Aggravated" is the worst word the Crown can put in front of "Assault" if you are facing a judge.

jayswin · 08-07-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

That was great flameswin, kudos.

Thanks, my buddy took that picture of his goat.

jayswin · 08-07-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chockfullofgoodness

I'm sure most of us have been in fights. The difference is that most of us probably haven't been charged with aggravated assault. The charge against Ferland isn't some 'boys will be boys' BS. This kid could be looking at jail time. Time will tell of course, but it seems the Crown feels it has a legitimate shot at convicting him.

Yep, usually pretty serious jail time, too. Which for Canada is like 6 months.

Nemisz/Breen · 08-07-2012, 08:17 PM

Personally I can't wait to watch him in Abbotsford this year. He is not a goon but he is a very tough young man. Ward will teach him how to present himself to the public and the proper way for a young professional to act on and off the ice.

Just as he did with Aliu.

Johnny Rotten · 08-07-2012, 08:25 PM

I hope he's "innocent" as he says, but these guys have got learn that they aren't the average 20 year olds. Either they can't put themselves in a position where they can be made a target, or they have to find a pub where they can have a few and not worry about somebody taking a shot you- if that's what happened here.

chockfullofgoodness · 08-07-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Rotten

I hope he's "innocent" as he says, but these guys have got learn that they aren't the average 20 year olds. Either they can't put themselves in a position where they can be made a target, or they have to find a pub where they can have a few and not worry about somebody taking a shot you- if that's what happened here.

Agreed. If you don't want to slip, don't walk in slippery places.

Bonded · 08-07-2012, 08:33 PM

He needs a friend that defuses these kind of situations

psicodude · 08-07-2012, 08:34 PM

Some of you guys are blowing this way out of proportion. My money is on a stupid bar fight that happens between 20 year old guys in every town during every weekend of the year. The crown decided to charge him with Aggravated assault because the "victim" (who was probably hammered out of his mind and throwing punches as well) ended up with a broken orbital bone. Unless he did something really over the top, Ferland will please to a lesser charge and get fines/community service and move on. This is his first offense (AFAIK) and first time offenders always get off easy because everyone makes a stupid decision at least once in their life.

What the Flames need to be aware of, however, is that this was simply a young man getting carried away with the booze and losing his cool as opposed to a more serious alcohol/anger issue. Personally, I hope it's the former.

jayswin · 08-07-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psicodude

Some of you guys are blowing this way out of proportion. My money is on a stupid bar fight that happens between 20 year old guys in every town during every weekend of the year.

I guess it depends how you define "blowing it out of proportion". All we're saying is, regardless of why the charge was laid, aggravated assault is a very serious charge. Like Chock mentioned, it's the worst word you can have in front of assault.

The crown decided to charge him with Aggravated assault because the "victim" (who was probably hammered out of his mind and throwing punches as well)

Sure, that's your speculation which is fine because that's what we're all doing, but that earlier tweet ("Police say Ferland struck male in the face as the victim attended to a person pushed to the ground. Victim suffered broken orbital bone.") suggests otherwise.

Unless he did something really over the top,

This is typically when Aggravated assault charges are laid, when someoen does something really over the top

Ferland will please to a lesser charge and get fines/community service and move on. This is his first offense (AFAIK) and first time offenders always get off easy because everyone makes a stupid decision at least once in their life.

Agreed, that he will likely be able to plead down based on being a first time offender.

What the Flames need to be aware of, however, is that this was simply a young man getting carried away with the booze and losing his cool as opposed to a more serious alcohol/anger issue. Personally, I hope it's the former.

edit: my responses in red

psicodude · 08-07-2012, 08:56 PM

^ I don't disagree with any of your points, but recent personal experience has turned me very skeptical of anything the Calgary media prints, so I will reserve judgement until this goes to court. Personally, I think the chances of a reporter sensationalizing the facts a bit are far greater than the chances that this kid is crazy enough to actually punch a guy while he is helping a downed friend.

moon · 08-07-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psicodude

^ I don't disagree with any of your points, but recent personal experience has turned me very skeptical of anything the Calgary media prints, so I will reserve judgement until this goes to court. Personally, I think the chances of a reporter sensationalizing the facts a bit are far greater than the chances that this kid is crazy enough to actually punch a guy while he is helping a downed friend.

You think reporter lied about what the police said?