A violent incident during a U21 hockey game in the Comox Valley in December 2024 that left an Oak Bay player with a concussion and facial injuries has resulted in a guilty plea to assault causing bodily harm.
Jeff Trumble, who was playing for the Victoria Admirals C2 house team in a non-contact game, was injured during the final game of the Kade Praine Memorial tournament on Dec. 30, 2024, at the Comox Valley Sports Centre.
According to Trumble, the incident occurred late in the third period with Victoria leading 6-0.
“The puck kind of was flown in the air,” Trumble told Victoria News. “It landed in my jersey, and I was trying to fish it out, looking down, not thinking anything’s gonna happen. And, next thing you know, I got elbowed.”
Trumble said the hit caused his helmet to shift downward, cutting open the top of his nose.
According to Doug Trumble, Jeff’s father, the Comox Valley RCMP initially dismissed the incident, suggesting the athletes were willing participants in a hockey game. Doug said the investigation was later reopened after parents submitted letters to the police.
The case was eventually forwarded to Crown counsel, leading to criminal charges.
Court records show Cole Smith, a player with the Comox Valley Flyers, was charged with assault causing bodily harm. Originally appearing in Courtenay Law Courts on Aug. 13, 2025, he has since made several court appearances. Smith pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing bodily harm on April 16, 2026.
Trumble suffered a concussion, facial lacerations and bruising in the incident. He said the injuries caused him to miss three weeks of work as a carpenter apprentice.
“Getting back into it, being around compressors, loud diesel guns, it did cause headaches,” he said.
Trumble also missed a snowboard trip to Mt. Washington with the Oak Bay High School snowboard team, where he serves as a coach.
Jeff’s father, Doug, who was coaching the Admirals during the game, said frustration appeared to build on the opposing side as the game progressed.
“The other team was getting frustrated,” Doug said. “Nothing they could do was working. It was starting to get dirty.”
Doug Trumble said what disturbed him most was the reaction from some spectators following the incident.
“Even when Jeff was laying on the ice, nearly not really moving much, and blood pouring out of his face, we got the Comox parents cheering,” Doug explained.
The Trumbles said they hope the case serves as a reminder that players remain accountable for their actions on the ice.
“You can’t assault people on the ice,” Doug Trumble said. “You assault someone on the ice, you’re still assaulting someone.”
In a statement to Victoria News, Comox Valley Minor Hockey Association (CVMHA) president Jason Rae said the association conducted investigations following the incident and worked alongside the Victoria Minor Hockey Association (VMHA).
“While I can’t discuss what disciplines the CVMHA took to go on top of BC Hockey, VIAHA and the court’s rulings, I can say that the CVMHA was in constant communication and shared lengthy investigations with the VMHA president to make sure we all did our due diligence with many of the behaviours that took place during and after the incident,” Rae said.
“The CVMHA does not condone this type of behaviour and hopes that a single incident or game does not define the association. What transpired after the incident on Comox Valley property and on its social media pages by adults afterwards is equally as disturbing. We as adults need to be better at de-escalating situations when they occur and not add to the hostilities when emotions get high.”
BC Hockey and the VMHA did not respond to requests for comment.
Jeff Trumble said he returned to hockey following the incident to finish the season, but has not played since.
“I wasn’t even getting into it with anyone, and I was still getting injured,” he said. “I don’t have the security knowing that I can just go out there, have fun, and be able to go to work.”
Smith’s case is scheduled to return to Courtenay Law Courts on July 8 for a pre-sentence report.