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 Manitoba-born hockey player 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 acquitted in June by a jury of criminal charges on the matter.

In his statement of defence, Ferland denies any wrongdoing and has filed a counter suit 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.