Seattle Father Charged After Assaulting Teen Referees at Youth Hockey Game

The incident occurred during a recreational hockey match, prompting widespread condemnation and new calls for referee protections.

Uriel Isaac Cortes Gonzalez, 42, was charged with two counts of fourth-degree assault after shoving two teenage referees during a youth hockey game at the Kraken Community Iceplex in Seattle.
Video evidence and witness statements confirmed that the attack was unprovoked, despite Gonzalez's claim that he acted to defend his son from an alleged altercation on the ice.
The young referees, aged 13 and 14, sustained minor injuries but are reportedly in good spirits and eager to return to officiating future games.
The Seattle Kraken and Pacific Northwest Amateur Hockey Association condemned the attack, with Gonzalez being banned from the rink and all USA Hockey-sanctioned activities.
The incident has reignited discussions about protecting youth referees, with Washington lawmakers advocating stricter penalties for assaults on sports officials, including potential fines and jail time.