No charges against ex-New Jersey Devils player, now coach, accused of assaulting player

WALL TOWNSHIP (WABC) -- A former professional hockey player who now coaches a high school team in New Jersey will not be charged with assault following allegations that he kicked a player in the back.

The Wall Township Police Department concluded its investigation into the incident and ruled there will be no charges filed against Manasquan/Point Pleasant Beach coach James Dowd.

The investigation was initiated after a parent of a player signed a private citizen complaint against Dowd for simple assault.

The incident allegedly occurred last Wednesday when the team played Red Bank Regional at the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall.

The complaint alleged that Dowd, who played for 10 teams over 17 seasons in the NHL and suited up for the New Jersey Devils in two separate stints, kicked the 16-year-old student during a game.

Dowd was scheduled to appear in Wall Township Municipal Court on Tuesday, but he retained a lawyer who got the hearing postponed.

Dowd had agreed to step down as coach of the varsity hockey team during the investigation, with Manasquan School Superintendent Frank Kasyan saying it was best to relieve Dowd of his coaching duties in the interim. Sources say Dowd took the allegations very hard and that he treats his players as if they were his own children.

The school district released the following statement:

"Jim Dowd is a member of the Manasquan School District, we support him as we would any staff member in an alleged act. Up until this point, he has done nothing but good for our school district. We are hoping for a speedy resolution to this unfortunate situation. We look forward to Coach Dowd being exonerated and returning to the 2015 hockey season."

Dowd is best known to local hockey fans for scoring the winning goal in game 2 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings.

It is unclear if and when he will resume coaching duties.