Junior hockey league gives player lifetime ban for striking official

A player in the United States Premier Hockey League has been banned for life from the league after striking an on-ice official during a game.

The junior hockey player, who wasn't identified by the league, was skating along the boards when he collided with an on-ice official, who called a penalty on him.

As the player was being led to the penalty box, he struck the official, knocking him to the ice.

"The action taken today by a USPHL player is completely unacceptable in the USPHL," commissioner Bob Turow said in a statement. "The USPHL has zero tolerance for any player striking any official, at any time. The player in question’s actions have led to a lifetime ban."

Turow added that the incident was being investigated by local authorities "and as such the USPHL will have no further comments at this time."