Edmonton Oilers' Jeff Petry, left, grimaces as Calgary Flames' Michael Ferland crashes down on him during third period NHL pre-season hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013. The gloves are coming off in a civil lawsuit involving Ferland, a Calgary Flames' forward prospect, and a southern Alberta man.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
July 28, 2014 - 12:52 PM
CALGARY - The gloves are coming off in a civil lawsuit involving a Calgary Flames' forward prospect and a southern Alberta man.
In June, Jayson Eyma sued Michael Ferland over a July 2012 scuffle outside of a bar in Cochrane.
Eyma claims that Ferland sucker-punched him in the face, fracturing a bone that required surgery.
Statements of claim contain allegations that have not been proven in court.
Ferland responded to the lawsuit Monday, noting that he was aquitted in June by a jury of criminal charges on the matter.
In his statement of defence, Ferland denies any wrongdoing and has filed a countersuit seeking damages for the fight and for malicious prosecution.
"Mr. Ferland relied on the jury in the criminal case to see what really happened that night and his being found not guilty speaks for itself," Michael Bates, Ferland's lawyer, said in a release Monday.
"If testifying before a second jury is what it will take to find justice in the civil case, my client is fully prepared for that."
Eyma is now entitled to file his defence to Ferland's allegations.
A jury found that Ferland, 22, acted in self-defence when he threw a punch, knocking out another patron outside the Stageline Saloon.
Both the left-winger and his girlfriend testified at his trial.
Court heard Ferland was ambushed as he was leaving the bar.
Ferland played in the minors last season.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014