Police investigate hit by Bruins’ Chara

Montreal police confirmed they have opened a criminal investigation into the hit by Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara that sent Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty to hospital with a fractured neck.

The probe comes after a request was made by Quebec’s director of criminal and penal prosecutions.

On Wednesday, the same office downplayed any talk of a criminal investigation, but changed its mind when the NHL announced no sanctions would be taken against Chara.

Chara, who said he had no intent to hurt Pacioretty, was given a major penalty for interference and a game misconduct on the play.

Pacioretty, a left-winger from Connecticut, has established himself this season as a regular top-line player. The latest statement from the team said he’s still in hospital, undergoing observation suffering from a severe concussion and a neck fracture.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Pacioretty’s injury is horrific, but it’s part of the game. He said most concussions and head injuries this year have been from accidents or players falling, rather than as the result of hits.

Minister of State of Sport Gary Lunn told Sportsnet Radio FAN, Thursday, this is going to keep happening unless something is done.

‘When you see the intentional headshots, hits from behind, intentional hits that are unacceptable, there needs to be pretty severe consequences to deter people from making those kind of shots,” he said.

Lunn added the government is now consulting with sports organizations on the matter.

“Nobody wants to step on the ice and think they’re going to come off with a fractured neck or a serious injury of concussion for that matter. It’s not just this one hit, we see the likes [of] Sidney Crosby out; it’s been in the news, we’re seeing more and more of it. I don’t know if it is more prevalent now or if it’s just getting more attention,” he said.

On Thursday, Montreal Canadiens chairman Geoff Molson called on his fellow owners to take action against violence in hockey.

Molson says he’s willing to head up a group to study ways to make the sport safer for its players.

He said commissioner Gary Bettman has agreed to make the topic a priority at a general managers meeting next week in Florida.

Molson let Bettman know his team does not agree with the NHL’s decision not to suspend Boston’s Zdeno Chara for a nasty hit that seriously injured Montreal forward Max Pacioretty.

Avid hockey fan Prime Minister Stephen Harper also commented on the hit during a stop in Toronto,  saying he is concerned about the growing number of injuries in the NHL.

“I don’t think it’s good for the game and I think the league has to take a serious look at that for its own self,” said Harper, “But (the government’s) focus is really on how this affects children and ordinary people who play these sports.”

Air Canada is wading into the debate as well. A letter written to the NHL said the airline will withdraw its sponsorship unless the league moves to impose sanctions to reduce potential serious injuries.

Pacioretty was released from hospital on Wednesday.