A former forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs has been charged with assault in Markham, Ont.
Court documents from Newmarket reveal that Mikhail Grabovski, who was part of the Leafs from 2008 to 2013, was arrested earlier this month following an alleged incident involving an individual in Markham.
The documents filed in court on Monday did not provide specifics about the event; however, York Regional Police reported that officers went to a community centre in Markham around 10:50 p. m. on March 14 after receiving a call about an assault. A victim was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
A signed undertaking indicated that Grabovski agreed not to have any direct or indirect contact with the individual and also to stay away from places where that person is likely to be.
Get daily National news
Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories.
The court records claim that Grabovski assaulted Warren Cooper, identified as the head coach of the York-Simcoe Express under-15 hockey team according to their website.
Story continues below
The , which was first to report on this charge, mentioned it relates to an alleged confrontation during a game between the Express and the Markham Waxers this month. Grabovski serves as head coach for both the Waxers U14 Triple-A and U-15 teams, as noted on their website.
A Montreal Canadiens draft pick, Grabovski joined the Leafs in 2008. He concluded his first full season in Toronto by leading all Eastern Conference rookies with 20 goals and 48 points.
The now 42-year-old former centreman was a key player during a time for the Leafs that included stars like Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, and James Reimer.
More on Sports More videos
Even though Grabovski’s time with the Leafs ended in 2013, he continued his NHL career with both the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders until retiring from professional hockey in 2019.
After hanging up his skates, Grabovski transitioned into coaching and management roles. He worked as an assistant coach in the KHL and took on responsibilities as general manager for Belarus’s national team.
“As head coach of the Waxers U16 AAA team for the 2026/2027 season, Grabovski brings a high-tempo, development-first approach built on accountability, structure, and competitive habits,” reads his biography on their site.
“His philosophy emphasizes pace of play, hockey IQ, and individual responsibility within a team framework, preparing players for advancement within the high-performance pathway.”
Story continues below
He is set to appear in court on June 12.
– with files from The Canadian Press
& copy; 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Source link
