The man who tackled Marty the Marmot to the ice at Saturday’s Victoria Royals game has gone to the mascot and the hockey club with his tail between his legs, apologizing for the incident and making a donation to a charity.
Victoria police are dropping their assault investigation as a result, saying the two parties will resolve the situation through restorative justice.
“The over exuberant fan from the weekend has come forward and recognized the inappropriateness of his actions as well he has made a significant donation to the team Movember Fund,” the Victoria Royals said on their Facebook page. “The Royals encourage fans to have fun at our games but remind them to do so safely and courteously.”
During a round of musical chairs on the ice during the second period intermission, the man picked Marty up and slammed him to the ice. As the mascot lay on his back, the man dragged him by the leg while the crowd booed. The man was escorted out of the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre by security guards and Marty was helped to his feet by arena staff.
The incident has made national headlines and sparked a fierce outcry on social media from fans supporting the beloved mascot.
Marty the Marmot was his usual animated self at Wednesday night’s home game against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Marty skated to centre ice during pre-game introductions, stopped on the Royals’ logo on the red line and then flexed his muscles and beat his chest with one arm, making a statement that he’s back and strong.
With fans standing on their feet and applauding loudly, Marty then skated to one corner of the ice, as he does each and every game. But the mascot didn’t perform his usual body bump into the glass — perhaps a sign that Marty may still be hurting.
The man who made the tackle, a loyal season-ticket holder, is deeply sorry and is getting indirect death threats, said a close friend.
“He regrets hitting him so hard,” said Ray Diaz. “It was just supposed to be part of the fun, clowning around. The hit was too hard, he admits that.
Diaz said his friend assumed that because the mascot was in a padded suit, he wouldn’t be hurt.
“He tried to be funny, thinking Marty was in the big padded foam suit that he could just flip him down on the ice,” said Diaz, who was not at the game. “If you look at mascot bloopers [on YouTube] this is the kind of hijinx they get into.”
The man was celebrating his birthday with his girlfriend, Diaz said.
“They just feel terrible about the whole thing,” he said.
