A minor hockey coach who punched an on-ice official during a game in a Newmarket arena in December has been banned by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association for at least the 2018-19 season.

Tyler Smokler of Beeton, an assistant coach with the TNT Tornados minor midget double-A team, was convicted of assault June 29 in a Newmarket court. He was sentenced to a conditional discharge and probation for 12 months.

The OMHA can take further action pending its own investigation of the incident.

“Based on the court findings and the subsequent criminal code conviction, this individual will not be eligible to hold the position of team official, referee or any other association position for the 2018-19 season based on our organizational policies,” OMHA executive director Ian Taylor said in a prepared statement released July 18. “With the criminal proceedings now concluded, we are able to conduct our investigation and determine further discipline.

“The OMHA is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and fully inclusive environment for players, parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers, where everyone is treated with respect.”

In the incident, which occurred in a hallway as teams and officials returned to the ice for the third period of a Dec. 22 game between TNT and the host Newmarket Redmen, a 21-year-old linesman was punched in the head by the 22-year-old accused.

A coach from the TNT team had earlier been ejected from the game.

The victim required transport to Southlake Regional Health Centre for lacerations, a jaw injury and a possible concussion.

In the aftermath, the OMHA suspended remaining members of the coaching staff of the Tornados for varying lengths of time, up to six games.

Any reinstatement for the suspended coach would occur only after the individual undergoes a successful police background check known as a vulnerable sector screening (VSS). Most sports organizations demand their volunteers undergo VSS screening.