Hockey player gets jail time for attack

David Micek's powerful blow to an opponent during a heated game of floor hockey has landed him 60 days in jail.

The 39-year-old Schaumburg man, who could have faced up to six years in prison, was also sentenced Wednesday to two years' probation for what Cook County Judge John Scotillo called a senseless act.

A jury in September convicted Micek of felony aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. He was acquitted on another charge that he meant to cause the player permanent injury.

Prosecutors said the referee's whistle had already sounded during the final period of a March 5, 2006, game when Micek raised his stick above his head and struck Rick Alaimo. The blow fractured the Lake Villa carpenter's wrist.

Just moments before, Micek had received a "slashing" penalty for swinging at Alaimo's leg with his stick. Micek also threw in a "couple extra" punches later on, Assistant State's Attorney Matt Fakhoury said at the trial. The jury didn't buy Micek's claim that he had been the one hit, not the other way around.

Defense attorneys argued at the trial that floor hockey, like its counterpart on ice, is an intensely physical sport that lends itself to roughhousing.

But Scotillo said Wednesday the action had already stopped that day at the Grand Sports Arena in Hoffman Estates.

"This didn't happen in the heat of battle," he said.

Defense attorney Mark Irpino pushed for probation because it was Micek's first offense.

He also said Micek, who pays child support for his two children, will likely lose his job with the Palatine Public Works Department if he goes to jail since he's already been demoted and had his salary cut since the conviction.

"He is saddened and confused," said Irpino, adding that an appeal is possible.

Micek's father, Raymond, didn't expect any jail time.

"It's his first offense, and it was a game," he said, "so where's the justice in this?"