By the links below, former Wheat King Michael Ferland has been charged with assault in connection with an incident that allegedly took place outside of a Cochrane, AB bar last month.  
As this is discussed just a reminder of the difference between being charged and being convicted. By the article, Ferland has maintained he is innocent of the charges and a court ultimately would determine whether or not he is guilty of what is alleged.  
 
Ferland had 47 goals and 96 points in a breakout year with the Wheat Kings last year. He was a 5th round draft pick of the Calgary Flames in 2010 and is expected to play professionally in the Flames organization this season.  
 
Calgary Herald story:  
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/Flames+prospect+charged+Cochrane+assault/7054101/story.html  
 
Calgary Flames statement:  
http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=639329  

wouldn't surprise me the kid has always had a temper, hopefully it doesn't ruin any future chances for him.

Hopefully everything works out or this might be the end of his hockey career.

There is also a small chance we see him suit up as a Wheatking again this year as a 20 year old if there is an NHL lockout...

The_Young_Man said "Hopefully everything works out or this might be the end of his hockey career. "

Why would this be the end of his career?

Ythen57 said "    The_Young_Man said "Hopefully everything works out or this might be the end of his hockey career. " Why would this be the end of his career? "

but he might end up going to jail or house arrest or being on probation,etc. you cant play hockey and be on probation or in jail. hows he going to cross the border with a record. He will likely most of this year and training camp for this year. theres several reasons, im sure im missing a few.  
 
Edited by The_Young_Man, 2012-08-07 17:54:49

The_Young_Man said "    Ythen57 said "    The_Young_Man said "Hopefully everything works out or this might be the end of his hockey career. " Why would this be the end of his career? " but he might end up going to jail or house arrest or being on probation,etc. you cant play hockey and be on probation or in jail. hows he going to cross the border with a record. He will likely most of this year and training camp for this year. theres several reasons, im sure im missing a few.     Edited by The_Young_Man, 2012-08-07 17:54:49"

I understand what you were trying to get at.  
 
Just a pretty bold statement to make about a 20 year old hockey player that this could maybe end his career!  
 
Also there is lots of players that have gotten in trouble with the law that have been placed on probation that were still able to play hockey and cross the border.  
 
My take on this, if he is guilty would be that it will be thrown out and he will leave with a stern warning and continue on with his career.  
 
Hopefully he will keep himself on track in the future, he likely has a solid AHL career ahead of him, and maybe some NHL time  

An updated story from the Toronto Sun is at the link below.  
 
Every situation is different, but on comments regarding the effect on a career its worth nothing the last line:  
 
It's not the first time a member of the Flames organization has found himself in trouble outside a bar. In November 2010, forward Brett Sutter, now with the Carolina Hurricanes, was arrested in outside a Scottsdale, Ariz., bar for punching a cab driver. Sutter, the son of former Flames GM Darryl Sutter, eventually pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and paid a small fine.  
 
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/07/flames-prospect-michael-ferland-charged-in-bar-brawl  

Adam said "An updated story from the Toronto Sun is at the link below.     Every situation is different, but on comments regarding the effect on a career its worth nothing the last line:     It's not the first time a member of the Flames organization has found himself in trouble outside a bar. In November 2010, forward Brett Sutter, now with the Carolina Hurricanes, was arrested in outside a Scottsdale, Ariz., bar for punching a cab driver. Sutter, the son of former Flames GM Darryl Sutter, eventually pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and paid a small fine.     http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/07/flames-prospect-michael-ferland-charged-in-bar-brawl   "

Yea I don't think anything like this would not let him continue playing hockey and it will be a slap on the wrist by the judge and I am sure by the Flames as well.

I'm going to take the story with a grain of salt for now. As for the "career-ending" comment - not even close!

Truck Chick said "I'm going to take the story with a grain of salt for now. As for the "career-ending" comment - not even close! "

One poster on here spoke of Michael having a bad temper. I have to say that having a temper on the ice in the heat of battle is far different than walking the streets looking for a fight.  
 
Now I for one wish to share this. I actually used to work in the very bar in Cochrane where this took place. The cowboys in there are never there alone and if you fight one you gotta fight them all. knowing what it's like in that bar, a small congested night club with only one way in and out of it, things can get out of hand in a hurry.  
 
I don't believe for one second that Michael simply walked outside, confronted someone, pushed them down and then popped the first guy who tried to help.  
 
I would be more inclined to think that someone recognized him or caught wind of who he is through small talk and wanted to test him. He probably was attempting to leave through the one exit that leads to the sidewalk and thats the sidestreet where most people park. It also gives everyone in the bar boxseat viewing from 2 big windows on that side of the bar. And if a guy got pushed over, it's most likely because he was pushing first and figured his buddies would bail him out. Like I said, you fight one, you fight them all. And if 10 cowboys go drinking together, they're gonna stick together like a gang mentality.  
 
I believe when the whole truth comes out, this will go away quicker than it happened. Just another clown looking for bragging rights amongst his drinking buddies and when it doesn't go his way, he calls the police in like he was just standing there waiting for a bus.  
 
Edited by Geoffrey, 2012-08-08 21:35:27

at the end of the day these people are not your average Joes.Booze, bars, and being in the media or spotlight is a recipe for trouble that every athlete is told to avoid but far too often we hear stories like this. I hope it turns out ok for him. Unfortunately even if it was not his fault stay the hell out of these craphole places. If U wanna have a few beers grab some of your hockey pals , a case, and play some cards in your hotel room or wherever. Its not worth the risk no matter who is to blame. Oh and btw I know first hand of a friend who got beat up outside a bar, had his orbital bone and nose broken. The guy is curently doing time. Best of luck Mikey!

Lack of info on the whole incident. Who started what? Someone got knocked out. Guess that's gonna happen if you pick a fight with someone that knows how to hurt guys on the ice.

The unfortunate thing in my opinion is that this is only grabbing attention because he is a hockey player. If it was anyone else you would not of heard anything. It is the general public that blows things up for athletes or who ever it may be that is in the spotlight. So you really think it would have even made the paper if it was just a bar fit, not likely? Is it one of those thing that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time? Who knows. I think the guy or whoever it happened to learned a lesson or maybe not to maybe keep his mouth shut if in fact this was the case. The only people who truly know what happened are the ones involved and everything else is rumor and speculation and what the media want to print.  
 
I for one though am a fan of Ferlands and a good reason why I bought season tickets when he was here. I like the excitement he brings to the ice and think Calgary got a great pick in him. I am sure everything will work out for him and be fine.

awesome said "The unfortunate thing in my opinion is that this is only grabbing attention because he is a hockey player. If it was anyone else you would not of heard anything. It is the general public that blows things up for athletes or who ever it may be that is in the spotlight. So you really think it would have even made the paper if it was just a bar fit, not likely? Is it one of those thing that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time? Who knows. I think the guy or whoever it happened to learned a lesson or maybe not to maybe keep his mouth shut if in fact this was the case. The only people who truly know what happened are the ones involved and everything else is rumor and speculation and what the media want to print.     I for one though am a fan of Ferlands and a good reason why I bought season tickets when he was here. I like the excitement he brings to the ice and think Calgary got a great pick in him. I am sure everything will work out for him and be fine. "

Like I said before, maybe these guys found out who he was or recognized him and figured they'd try their luck. Better luck next time.  
 
It says that the first guy got pushed down and a second guy came to help his friend. I have my doubts that Mr. Helper came to help his friend back to his feet and Michael just punched him without provocation. Just what kind of help was he trying to provide?

From Lubers Lounge, the case has been put over for two weeks until September 18:  
http://luberslounge.blogspot.ca/2012/09/ferland-case-put-over-two-weeks.html