An alleged swarming assault on an Edmonton Oilers fan by Calgary hockey loyalists was condemned yesterday by Flames President Ken King.
The early Sunday morning beating of an Oilers-jersey-clad Andrew Parker on 4 St. S.W. by what he described as four or five men wearing Flames sweaters is being investigated by city police.
Flames boss Ken King said if it's true, the team would immediately disown such fans.
"We have no interest in having any fans who'd even think of doing such a thing," said King, on his way to Edmonton to attend last night's Flames-Oilers game.
"I'd be happy to invite them back and refund their jersey money and not be associated with them or have them in our building or at any other event."
King dismissed any notion fan-on-fan violence is inspired by fighting during NHL games.
"It's like suggesting NASCAR fans are reduced to speeding or reckless driving -- it's utterly ridiculous," he said.
He noted Calgary fans have no monopoly on boorish behaviour.
Parker, 22, said he mildly taunted a car full of Flames fans several hours after the Oilers beat the Flames on Saturday, prompting his assailants to beat him unconscious -- breaking his nose and fracturing his cheek bones in three places.
Yesterday, he said his severe concussion was getting worse, but added another headache stems from widespread public comments blaming him for instigating the incident.
"Do they seriously think I deserved to be beaten?" asked Parker, who said a doctor has advised him to take a week off of work to recover.
But he said the incident has only fortified his desire to cheer on his team and wear their colours in Calgary.
"This has only made my pride for the Oilers stronger," he said.
He admitted, however, that he'd choose his words more carefully in some situations from now on, which he called "sad."
And Parker said he holds nothing against Flames fans in general and hopes Oilers devotees won't take revenge against their Calgary counterparts.
"I'm not going to stereotype them," he said.
"It can happen anywhere."
Staff Sgt. David McMath had little to say about the investigation.
"I can't speak to motive --we take all assaults seriously," he said.
