Casper Gillberg facing criminal charges after hitting referee into the boards during game
An incident in 2023 that saw hockey player Casper Gillberg check a referee into the boards breaking his arm is headed to court after charges were laid
The incident caused a ton of debate across the hockey world when it happened, and the next debate about it will take place in court after charges were laid. In November of 2023, Casper Gillberg allegedly checked a referee during a game in Sweden, causing the official to break his arm. Gillberg was suspended for the rest of 2023 and 2024. That suspension was recently extended to all of 2025 as well. Now, Gillberg is facing criminal charges in connection with the incident.
When it happened, Gillberg said it was a complete accident, and that he pushed the official in an attempt to stop himself from crashing into him.
"The hockey player is charged...and the prosecutor requests that the 22-year-old be sentenced to damages of SEK 26,953 ($2700 USD)."
Casper Gillberg continues to deny any wrongdoing in the incident, insisting he wasn't aware he was hitting an official. Jasper Ek, the referee involved, suffered a broken arm, and has filed a civil lawsuit in the case.
"We get down to the corner and I have in my head that I'm going to tackle this player and win the puck so we can attack instead. But instead he turns around, and as I continue down towards the crease I see the referee approaching and out of pure instinct or wanting to protect myself, I put my hands up and push off in pure self-defense or instinct."
A date for the trial has not yet been set.
Previously on Markerzone
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 20 | 278 ANSWERS Casper Gillberg facing criminal charges after hitting referee into the boards during game Should hockey players be criminally charged for incidents that happen during a game? | ||
| Yes, depending on the circumstances | 160 | 57.6 % |
| No, never | 87 | 31.3 % |
| I'm not sure | 31 | 11.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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