Sep 16, 2008 - 04:01 PM

by Brad Kelly

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BOWMANVILLE -- An on-ice accident during a Triple-A hockey practice in Bowmanville on Saturday afternoon has left an assistant coach in hospital with a fractured skull.

Ian Young, a highly respected goaltending coach and author, was removed from the ice at the Recreation Complex on a stretcher after falling and banging his head on the ice during a Clarington Minor Atom Toros practice. Young was taken to Bowmanville Memorial Hospital, and later transported by ambulance to Toronto Western Hospital, were he was sedated and reported to be in stable condition.

Dale DeGray, the coach of the Toros team, who was in Owen Sound tending to business as the GM of the OHL Attack at the time of the accident, categorized the incident as a "freak" accident. During a drill, a player lost an edge and took the feet out from under Young, who had his back turned at the time. Young's helmet wasn't secured with a chin strap, which resulted in it becoming dislodged during the fall as he struck his head on the ice.

"It's one of those freak, freak, freak accidents," said DeGray, who became acquainted with Young while a member of the Oshawa Generals back in the early 80's. "It takes a freak accident to make everybody stand up and realize 'I'm not following the rules here. I'm not following safety precautions.' It's a harsh lesson to be learned by something like this.

"Lots of us have fallen on the ice and banged our heads and get a bump. We should all feel pretty fortunate that that's the severity of it. Obviously, this is what can happen."

DeGray said the players were immediately removed from the ice following the accident, as trainers from his team, trainers from each of the two teams who were going on after, as well as a grandparent in attendance who is a trauma nurse sprung into action until paramedics arrived.

"From the parents, to all the trainers that were involved, it was absolutely commendable the way everything took place. Everyone did a wonderful job," praised DeGray.

Joe Caruana, the Director of Community Services for Clarington, said that standard signs are posted in all arenas recommending the use of protective headwear while on the ice of any facility in the municipality. While Young did have a helmet on, it was the fact it wasn't fastened properly that led to the injury.

"We are in a position to recommend strongly that our patrons use a CSA approved hockey helmet," he said. "It's our position that it's up to the individual organizations whether or not they want to act on that.

"The municipality is not in a position to insist on it, at least at this point."

An email was distributed to Toros teams from Clarington Minor Hockey Association president Carlo Raco warning that impromptu checks will be taking place during practices. Any on ice personnel not complying with safety issues, including the proper wearing of a helmet, will be removed from the ice. The zero tolerance policy could result in the suspension of the head coach, staff member or player who doesn't comply.

Young was a star goalie with the Oshawa Generals from 1963-67, with an eye injury preventing him from an NHL career. He served as goalie coach with the Generals from 1983-96, is a goalie coach with the UOIT Ridgebacks men's program, and has penned an instructional book on the art of goaltending.