Alberta golf course fight involving ex-NHLer Tarnasky prompts investigation

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This article was published 09/07/2025 (422 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RED DEER – Red Deer Minor Hockey says it is conducting an internal investigation after a video surfaced showing one of its coaches, former NHL player Nick Tarnasky, involved in a fight at a golf course.

The incident took place recently at Alberta Springs Golf Resort, just outside Red Deer, Alta. 

In a video circulating online, Tarnasky is seen arguing with another man before the man rushes toward him. Tarnasky lifts the man and throws him into a pond. After the man gets back on his feet and re-engages, Tarnasky responds with a series of punches — shouting “bang” with each one — before throwing him a second time.

Comments about the pace of play appear to have sparked the confrontation, according to dialogue in the video.

Tarnasky, 40, played 245 NHL games between 2005 and 2010 with Tampa Bay, Nashville and Florida, recording nearly 300 penalty minutes. He later played several seasons in the AHL before moving into coaching.

Red Deer Minor Hockey recently announced he would return as head coach of the U17 AAA North Stars for the 2025-26 season.

“We are aware of a video circulating on social media involving a coach with Red Deer Minor Hockey,” the organization said in a statement. “At this time, given that we understand the matter is being reviewed by local policing authorities and we are conducting our own internal investigation into the alleged incident, we will have no further comments.”

The RCMP, however, says it is not investigating the incident.

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Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, a public information officer with the RCMP in Central Alberta, said officers in the Blackfalds detachment received a third-party report about a fight on the golf course, but the complainant had left before police arrived.

“It was essentially a report of a fight and an intoxicated individual,” Savinkoff said.

“Nobody came forward to us alleging an assault or anything like that, and our investigation was concluded.”

A request for comment has been sent to Alberta Springs Golf Resort.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025.