A Vancouver cabbie who says he was roughed up by sports broadcaster Louie DeBrusk last month is suing the former NHL hockey player, claiming he suffered lasting injuries in the alleged attack.
DeBrusk was arrested in the early hours of Jan. 9, after witnesses told police that they had seen him assaulting a number of taxi drivers and vandalizing two vehicles.
Taxi driver Homa Youn Karimi filed a lawsuit against DeBrusk in B.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday, saying that he was assaulted when he tried to help a fellow driver who was attacked by the former hockey star.
Karimi claims that he did nothing to provoke DeBrusk, but the TV hockey analyst broke a window in his cab, punched him in the face several times and then chased after him when he tried to get away.
DeBrusk has been charged with four counts of assault and two counts of mischief under $5,000 in connection with the brawl. He appeared in court Thursday for an arraignment hearing.
In his suit, Karimi says he suffered soft tissue injuries in the alleged assault, and still has problems with neck pains, headaches, insomnia, depression and other emotional problems.
None of the claims in the lawsuit have been proven in court, and DeBrusk has 21 days after receiving the claim to file a statement of defence.
DeBrusk played left wing for the Edmonton Oilers from 1991 until 1997, when he was traded to Tampa Bay. He rounded out his NHL career with three seasons in Phoenix and then four final games with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2002-2003 season.
The former hockey player now works as a hockey commentator for Sportsnet in Edmonton. Two days before the alleged assault, the Oilers were trounced by the Vancouver Canucks in a 6-1 loss.
