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Vincent Damphousse responds to domestic abuse charges, also accuses wife of assault

Crime Damphousse Hockey

Vincent Damphousse speaks during his retirement announcement as his wife Allana listens, during a news conference on Sept. 7, 2005 in Laval, Quebec. The former NHL star has been charged with six counts of assaulting his spouse. The alleged incidents occurred between January 2008 and just a few weeks ago. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

AP

Sports are often a safe haven from the ugly realities of life, but bigger issues tend to bleed into the proceedings from time to time.

Such seems to be true when it comes to the increasingly messy divorce proceedings between former NHL player Vincent Damphousse and his estranged wife Alanna Henderson. Henderson was the first to air the couple’s dirty laundry on Thursday, accusing Damphousse of six incidents of domestic abuse from 2008-2011.

Damphousse responded to those charges today, as you can see in this story from The Toronto Sun. The former player said that Henderson “trumped up” those charges. In fact, Damphousse’s lawyer said that he was the victim of abuse, rather than the perpetrator.

Damphousse’s lawyer, Michel Dorval, said in a statement the former Canadiens captain is the victim, not the perpetrator.

“Mr. Damphousse has also filed a complaint against his wife for assault,” Dorval said. “Mr. Damphousse categorically denies the allegations brought against him. (The charges) were filed as part of a divorce proceeding.”

The Crown says it’s reviewing the complaint against Henderson and will decide next week whether she will be charged.

We won’t pass judgment on either party, but obviously it is a regrettable situation. It’s made a bit sadder since the couple were known for their charitable work toward finding ways to treat the disease ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease), according to The Toronto Sun.