Former NHL enforcer charged in Maple Ridge taxi assault

Maple Ridge RCMP have laid charges after an assault on a taxi driver in Maple Ridge, B.C., that police say happened without warning last September. Police say the suspect, identified as 57yearold Link Gaetz of Mission, was picked up by the driver from an establishment on 232 Street on Sept. 17, 2025. The taxi reached the area of Sheldrake Court and Fern Crescent, where police say Gaetz told the driver to stop and then assaulted him. According to police, the driver suffered facial injuries from multiple punches. Investigators also say the suspect tried to break the taxi’s CCTV camera and damaged the windshield before leaving the scene. A warrant has been issued for Gaetz’s arrest. Police noted that he played 65 NHL games with Minnesota and San Jose and spent much of that time collecting penalty minutes.