Charges Filed in Attack on Inver Grove Heights Youth Hockey Coach

After allegedly attacking at the coach of his son’s Inver Grove Heights youth hockey team, a 49-year-old St. Paul man, Thomas Angelo Tonda, has been charged with one felony count of terroristic threats and a misdemeanor charge of assault in the fifth degree.

According to the criminal complaint: After a Dec. 6 practice in Inver Grove Heights, Tonda began screaming at the coach after the coach had provided instructions to Tonda’s son pertaining to an on-ice practice incident. Tonda then placed the victim in a choke hold, as he left the area, he allegedly threatened to kill the coach.

“It’s very sad and disturbing to see incidences that turn violent in youth sports involving parents,” Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said. “None of these events should occur. It’s a terrible example to be setting not only for your kids, but for all children who are at the events.”

The incident apparently started when some of the youth hockey players were arguing during practice and "Tonda’s son swung his hockey stick like a baseball bat, hitting one of the other players," the complaint said. The coach told the boy his behavior was unacceptable and could hurt someone.

After the lecture, the boy left the ice for the locker room followed by his father.

"Shortly thereafter Tonda came out to the penalty box area and started screaming at the victim to ‘get over here.’ The victim went over to Tonda, and Tonda started yelling and screaming at the victim," the complaint said.

The two apparently continued to argue and Tonda "started pushing and attacking the victim. Tonda stated "I am going to choke you out." Tonda simultaneously grabbed the victim’s neck, and the coach started to black out.

Another coach came to help and eventually separated Tonda from the coach. As he was leaving, the accused father continued to threaten the coach, swearing at the man.

"Attacks of this nature upon youth athletic coaches are shocking and extremely disturbing," Backstrom said.

Tonda made his first appearance on these charges today and bail in the amount of $100,000 without conditions ($50,000 with conditions) was set by Dakota County District Court Judge Robert King. Tonda’s next court appearance is set for 1:30 p.m. March 26, in Hastings.

This is the second time in the past few weeks where a parent has lashed out at a youth sporting event in the county. Earlier this month in Lakeville, an after an eighth-grade basketball game.