According to Weisman, he suffered a six-inch gash on his head, which required 27 stitches, and suffered memory loss. ("Fan Denies Hitting Coach of Montreal." Valley News, August 4, 1968.)
He was joined in this civil action against Blake, Provost, California Sports Inc. (Jack Kent Cooke's company which owned the Kings), and the National Hockey League by co-plaintiff Margaret G. Ottens.
Weisman and Ottens alleged in their $655,000 suit - approximately $4.5 million today - that Blake and Provost "wrongfully, willfully and violently" beat them. ("Coach, Player of Montreal Canadiens Arraigned in Brawl at Hockey Game." Van Nuys News, March 10, 1968.)
Witness Peter Tenen asserted that while "Weisman was down, the players hit him with sticks." He identified Provost as delivering a particularly vicious blow.
Norman Southerby, who went to the game with Weisman, corroborated his friend's story...to a point. He thought Blake's alleged swing of the stick "was not injurious."
According to Southerby, Weisman lunged at Blake from the stands after being struck, but the coach stepped back in time. The fan landed on his hands and knees, and "Blake's players turned their attention from a fight on the ice to their coach." ("Witness Testifies Montreal Coach's Blow Not Injurious." Valley News, August 6, 1968.)
Yes, apparently all this happened during game action.
Southerby, however, was cross-examined into admitting that Weisman had offered him a "cut" of any damages collected in the civil suit.
On the other side, the Canadiens bench boss agreed that Weisman had indeed heckled him.
But according to Blake, he was struck in the head first by Weisman before retaliating.
Critically, LA Kings head coach "Red" Kelly testified on Blake's behalf. According to Kelly, Weisman "knocked Blake's] hat off." Blake then "came around with his fists and really corked the guy."
Kelly "never saw a stick in [Blake's
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Sheng Peng is a freelance hockey writer based out of Los Angeles, California. He covers the LA Kings and Ontario Reign for Today's Slapshot. His work has also appeared on VICE Sports, The Hockey News, and SB Nation's Jewels from the Crown.
