Last night around midnight, Vernon Police responded to the Best Western Lodge on 32nd Street in response to an assault in progress.

At the scene, RCMP found that a 43 year old security guard had been assaulted and that the suspect, who had been drinking, had fled the scene on foot.

Apparently the guard was attending the suspect’s motel room a second time in response to noise complaints when he was assaulted. Police say that he was pulled into the room and assaulted repeatedly about the face. A short struggle resulted in damage to the premises.

Police say that the suspect’s girlfriend and children were in the room at the time of the assault.

RCMP have confirmed that the suspect was an ‘ex-enforcer’ in the NHL during the late 1990's. They will not be releasing his name until charges are sworn by Crown Counsel.

Police say that they are continuing to investigate the assault and anticipate a warrant for the suspect’s arrest should he not turn himself in voluntarily.