Canadian Hockey Player Brett Cook Banned for Life for Punching Ref

We may have to amend the rules of Fight Club to include not punching a referee, because doing so will get you banned for life. 

This video (h/t SportsGrid) comes during a playoff game between Nipissing University and the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivieres.

During a fight on the ice, defenseman Brett Cook can be seen punching linesman Nicolas Piche.

If you are wondering, this is precisely what you don't want to do when an official tries to corral you from a scuffle.  

The Toronto Sun reports this will be the last act for Cook as far as Ontario University play:

"

Upon review by the OUA men’s hockey review panel, consisting of the OUA men’s hockey convenor and a representative of the OUA Sport Committee, Brett Cook has been banned from participating in any OUA-sanctioned competition for the remainder of his university career. 

"

Cook was playing in his fifth year of OHL play. He played four years for the Erie Otters and one with the London Knights before recently landing with Nipissing. 

For perspective, Cook had four years of eligibility left. 

The defenseman, a sociology student who stands 6'1", has since sent out an apology to Piche: "What I did was wrong, plain and simple. My actions were unacceptable and I take full responsibility."

To say the least. 

Cook was being restrained during a heated time during the third period, but there is no excuse for striking an official, and the league has levied a just punishment. 

This seems to be quite the week for hot heads letting their emotions get the better of them. Yahoo! Sports reported on former NBA player Renaldo Balkman choking his own teammate after players and coaches tried to restrain him. 

For what it's worth, the report states Cook had 19 goals, 47 assists and 344 penalty minutes during his career. 

Now, because of one horrible mistake, he will now finish with those same stats. 

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