'M' hockey defenseman arraigned

Michigan hockey defenseman Chris Fox was arraigned yesterday on a charge of "assault with intent to do bodily harm less than murder" at the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills.

The charge Fox faces stems from an incident that occurred June 15, when he allegedly struck Waterford resident Robert Thomas in the face during a hockey game at the Detroit Skate Club in Bloomfield Hills.

Both Fox, an LSA senior, and Thomas were playing in a summer "no-checking" hockey league when the assault in question occurred. The alleged strike by Fox caused Thomas to lose one tooth, and it loosened two others and chipped one. Thomas has reportedly undergone two root canals and is scheduled to undergo further oral surgery in the near future.

After posting a $25,000 bond yesterday, Fox was released and a preliminary examination was scheduled for Jan. 15, in Bloomfield Hills before District Judge Edward Avadenka. The assault charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Prosecut

FILE PHOTO Michigan defenseman Chris Fox was arraigned yesterday on charges of assault for knocking out an opponent's tooth during a pickup hockey game in Oakland County.

ors are reportedly seeking medical compensation from Fox for upwards of several thousand dollars.

Fox practiced with the team yesterday and has not been suspended by the team or the University. The Grosse Pointe Farms native was unable to comment on the allegations, but he spoke with The Michigan Daily about the increased attention around him the past several days.

"It's frustrating to see myself in this negative light," Fox said. "I've worked hard to become a good hockey player, a good student and a good person - most importantly being a good person."

The specifics of the incident have caused some confusion and debate. Six months after the incident, there are a variety of interpretations of the alleged assault.

James Halushka, chief of warrants and investigations in Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, said the attack was "cowardly" and "completely unprovoked." Halushka said Fox singled out the smallest opponent on the ice, swung baseball-style with his stick from behind, and knocked out one of Thomas' teeth.

This account differs from that of Fox's attorney David Binkley, who told Detroit radio station WWJ yesterday that Fox was protecting himself.

"Chris was hooked and had a gash in his face and was confronted by another player," Binkley said. "He thought he was going to be attacked again."

Fox received 15 stitches following the contest.

The prosecutors claim there was a six-month delay in accusing Fox because they were unsure of the identity of Thomas' attacker. Following the strike, Fox's summer team coach was told to give the attacker's name. When the coach refused, his team accepted a forfeiture of the championship game.

But Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson said he feels that the opposing team knew who the suspect was, but waited until recently to press charges.

"The police said they can't support a warrant for Chris Fox's arrest because they need witnesses," Berenson said. "So it was a done deal, and this was back in October or November.

"It's ironic now that I get a call (Tuesday) about a warrant for Chris Fox's arrest, like he's been on the loose for all this time like a criminal. They knew who he was and where he was from the day he left the rink."

Berenson supported Fox, saying that he is not a physical-style player and that vicious tactics are not what is emphasized in Michigan's program.

"I don't know what is going on, but I do know that Chris Fox has been a model player, a solid hockey player," Berenson said. "The alleged incident is not the Chris Fox that I know.

"We don't teach that style of hockey, anyway. One of our goals last year was to be the least penalized team in the league," he said.

Berenson also said that Fox was originally recruited for being a finesse-type defenseman, and that Fox is enrolled in the most difficult courses out of the players on the Michigan hockey team, following a pre-medical curriculum. Fox is expected to play tomorrow at Yost Ice Arena against Bowling Green.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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