Washington Capitals centre Mikhail Grabovski shows the after effects of getting hit in the face with a skate during a second period incident during the third period NHL hockey action against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday, November 23, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

By The Canadian Press

Ex-Maple Leaf Grabovski charged with assault after minor hockey incident in Markham

Mar 31, 2026 | 11:28 AM

MARKHAM — Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski has been charged with assault following an incident at a minor hockey game in Markham, Ont.

Court records show the charge was sworn March 30, with a first court appearance scheduled for June 12 in Newmarket, Ont. York Regional Police said officers responded to a Markham community centre March 14 for a report of an assault and that the victim was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The court documents allege Grabovski assaulted Warren Cooper.

The Toronto Star reported the charge stems from an alleged altercation between coaches following an under-15 playoff game earlier this month involving the Markham Waxers and York-Simcoe Express. The teams’ websites list Grabovski as head coach of the Waxers and Cooper as head coach of the Express.

Asked about potential discipline, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association said it is aware of the situation and “does not condone this type of behaviour,” adding it will have no further comment while a police investigation is ongoing.

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As a condition of his release, Grabovski is prohibited from contacting Cooper or going to any place Cooper is known to be.

The 42-year-old Grabovski played 340 games with Toronto from 2008-13 and 534 in the NHL overall with the Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders.

He retired in 2019.

Grabovski has faced legal action in the past.

A civil suit filed in September 2010 in B.C. Supreme Court alleged he assaulted a couple during a confrontation in downtown Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics. Grabovski had been selected to play for Belarus but did not compete due to injury.

The case was dismissed by consent in March 2018 before reaching trial.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2026.

The Canadian Press