A preliminary investigation by the Markham Waxers found a weekend hockey rink fight involving parents and players, which left one dad requiring stitches and one player injured, began after the opposing team made "derogatory comments" to some players' mothers.

George Schnarr, president of the Waxers, said Sunday's game at Milliken Mills rink was "a tough" one involving penalties for, among other things, a hit from behind and a head targeting.

That was followed up by some "chirping" between parents, coaches and players, he said. While that was happening Orillia players, aged around 14, were heading to their dressing room after a 4-1 win.

"My understanding is that the game had its moments, but it was pretty standard for hockey," Schnarr said. "But whether there is one penalty or 100 … our concern comes with parents getting involved with kids. … That's irrespective of what anyone says to hockey moms or dads. Contact between players and parents raises alarm bells."

After the Markham players entered their dressing room, Orillia players began doing the same, Schnarr said, that's when comments were allegedly hurled at some Markham players' mothers and a melee erupted.

In the aftermath, an Orillia player suffered unspecified injuries and one Markham father had his face sliced with a skate blade, resulting in six stitches.

"The guy got knocked down, he's on the ground and there are eight hockey players with skates," he added, rejecting the possibility it was done intentionally.

Schnarr said the fight involved about 10 people and further suggested the rink set-up, which leads players through the crowd on their way to the dressing room, is not ideal.

"This is not a small little incident," he added. "We will be doing an investigation. Thankfully it's very rare, I have been doing this more than 10 years and it's a stretch to remember something of this nature. Sometimes you see parents shoving and shouting. With players, 95 per cent of it is done on the ice."

The Waxers are not the only organization investigating the fisticuffs. York Regional Police, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and the Orillia Minor Hockey Association will also be probing the fight.