CEDAR RAPIDS – Three Iowa Heartlanders hockey players did not play in their team’s game Wednesday night after being arrested Sunday night in an alcohol-related incident in downtown Iowa City.
According to the Iowa City Police Department arrest blotter, Liam Coughlin, Kevin McKernan and Nick Campoli all were taken into custody between 9:57 and 10:29 p.m. in the 100 block of East Iowa Avenue.
Coughlin was charged with public intoxication, interference with official acts and criminal trespass. Campoli was charged with interference with official acts and criminal trespass.
McKernan, the team’s captain, was charged with public intoxication, assault on police/fire/EMT personnel and interference with official acts.
KCJJ radio in Iowa City reported that police said McKernan tried to intervene while one of his teammates was being arrested, was told by an officer to step back but instead grabbed the officer’s vest and pushed him backward. McKernan then was taken to the ground and handcuffed, “reportedly resisting and obstructing the officer’s efforts the entire time.”
KCJJ said the three charges against him could bring as many as 14 months in jail. A Massachusetts resident, the defenseman has played in 59 games this ECHL season for the Heartlanders, whose season concludes with home games Friday and Saturday nights.
Forward Coughlin, also from Massachusetts, has played in 45 games for Iowa this season. Forward Campoli, from Toronto, has been injured and hasn’t played since late January.
“We are aware of the allegations,” the Heartlanders said in a statement to The Gazette. “The players are going through the judicial process, and, until that plays out, we have no further comment.”
