Former councillor denies allegations

Former city councillor, mayoral candidate, and federal election candidate Todd Lever requested a meeting with reporters on Monday afternoon.

He wanted to discuss a few issues, including his behaviour during the now infamous Hometown Hockey incident.

The Carlo Cattarello Arena in South Porcupine, the only arena in the the municipality not under city control, has local hockey history plastered all over its walls. Lever pointed out a display case currently featuring the jerseys of many local heroes, including Walter Tkaczuk, Pete Babando, and his uncle Don Lever.



He told the two print reporters who attended, that these were the types of stories that should have been featured on 'Rogers Hometown Hockey', and was disappointed that there was apparently no mention of him during the weekend's festivities. He said he felt the weekend broadcasts snubbed his uncle, as well as many other Timmins area greats.

The 'Rogers Hometown Hockey' broadcast from Timmins took place the weekend of November 26 and 27. A major point of focus was the return of two banners which once graced the rafters of the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Bill Barilko and Frank Mahovlich. As part of the Toronto Maple Leafs centennial season, all banners of retired Leafs greats are being returned to their hometowns.

Lever said that it was the lack of recognition for his uncle, who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, and sheer passion for his hometown team which led to his actions on November 26.

That Saturday night, the Timmins Rock faced off against the Powassan Voodoos, in front of a jam-packed McIntyre Arena crowd. Sportsnet cameras were present. Hometown Hockey co-host Tara Slone dropped the ceremonial puck before the game. It was one of the NOJHL's best games of the season, featuring the high-scoring hometown Rock against the Voodoos, who were in the midst of a long winning streak.

Lever was arrested approximately 10 minutes into the game, and was later charged with one count of causing a disturbance, and one count of resisting a peace officer.

Lever denies shouting at the referee that night. He said he didn't want to leave the game because he had paid for his seats, and dozens more, which he gave to local minor hockey teams. He did admit to heckling some members of the Voodoos.

He also told reporters on Monday that he had not consumed any alcohol or drugs that evening.



Lever said he will be in court on January 10 to answer to the charges laid against him, and that there have been multiple attorneys offering him their assistance. He insisted that he is in good health, both physically and mentally.

He also said he is a supporter of the efforts by the South Porcupine Arena Association to raise $1.5 million dollars towards upgrades to the historic facility. The arena, built in 1940 by the Dome mine, is hoping to install a new concrete floor under the ice surface, new lighting, renovate the dressing rooms, and improve accessibility for all citizens, among others.

Lever's uncle Don, a native of South Porcupine, was the first captain in the history of the New Jersey Devils franchise. He was the 3rd overall pick in the 1972 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. He scored 680 points in 1020 career NHL games. He moved on to a very successful coaching career, including a Calder Cup Championship season in 2006-2007 with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.