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A former NHL player known in hockey circles as ‘The Missing Link’ has found himself in some trouble in British Columbia.
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Link Gaetz, who played 65 games in the league and mainly suited up as an enforcer, is facing charges after he was allegedly involved in an unprovoked assault on a taxi driver in Maple Ridge, B.C., last September.
The 57-year-old from Mission, B.C., is facing an assault charge and mischief under $5,000, Maple Ridge RCMP announced Thursday. Police were able to identify him with help from the public.
Police said the incident occurred on Sept. 17, 2025, around 2:45 p.m. Officers learned the driver had picked up the suspect at an establishment. The driver was directed to a location before Gaetz allegedly told the driver to stop and immediately began assaulting him.
The driver received injuries to his face due to multiple punches that were thrown at him, police said.
In the process, Gaetz allegedly attempted to break the CCTV camera in the taxi and proceeded to break the vehicle’s windshield before fleeing the area.
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At the time, RCMP officers attended and patrolled the area, but were unable to locate Gaetz. Additional support was also provided by Integrated Police Dog Services and air services. Further follow up was completed including canvassing for additional witnesses and video surveillance. The victim was also offered victim services assistance.
Drafted by North Stars in 1988
Gaetz was a second-round pick of the former Minnesota North Stars in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He played parts of three seasons between the North Stars and San Jose Sharks from 1988 to 1992 before finding himself playing in the IHL and ECHL throughout the 1990s.
He also played 21 games for the AHL’s Cape Breton Oilers during in 1993-94 season, but never did returned to the NHL.
Instead, he played professional hockey in several minor leagues including the Sunshine Hockey League and the Ligue Nord-Americaine de Hockey in Quebec. He finished his career during the 2006-07 season with the Horse Lake Thunder of the North Peace Hockey League.
Today, Gaetz has an outstanding arrest warrant for those charges and police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating him.
He’s described as six-foot-four, 252-pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information on Gaetz’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Maple Ridge RCMP at 604-463-6251.
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