Link Gaetz, a former NHL player, is reportedly evading authorities following an alleged assault on a taxi driver in British Columbia, Canada.
The Maple Ridge Royal Canadian Mounted Police filed charges against the 57-year-old Gaetz on Thursday, June 4, related to an incident from September 2025.
Gaetz faces charges of assault and mischief under $5,000 for what is described as an unprovoked attack. An arrest warrant has been issued, and police are seeking public assistance in locating him.
Authorities have released four images of Gaetz from the incident, describing him as 6’4” tall, weighing 252 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes.
According to the CBC, Gaetz is accused of instructing the taxi driver to stop shortly after being picked up, following which he allegedly assaulted the driver by repeatedly punching him in the face. He is also accused of attempting to damage the vehicle’s security camera, breaking the windshield, and then fleeing the scene.
Individuals with information on Gaetz’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at 604-463-6251.
Gaetz was selected in the second round of the 1988 NHL Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. Over three seasons, he played 65 games with the North Stars and San Jose Sharks, scoring six goals, providing eight assists, and amassing 412 penalty minutes.
In 2003, ESPN the Magazine featured an article titled “The Legend of Link,” which explored Gaetz’s life after his NHL career, highlighting allegations of a drinking problem and a tendency to vanish unexpectedly.
Gaetz once described a four-month prison term he served for assaulting a Canadian miner as “the best thing that ever happened to me,” explaining that it taught him he never wanted to return to jail.
The miner assault, which took place in 1999, was recounted by a witness to ESPN writer Bryant Urstadt.
“They were drinking and got into a car together, and the guy thought he could tell Link a thing or two,” the observer recalled. “Well, I’ll tell you what. If you’re gonna shoot your mouth off with Link, you’re gonna get it shut. That lad got his face dismembered. He looked like he was wearing a Halloween mask.”
Gaetz shared with ESPN how his son Quinn, born in 2003, brought a fresh sense of purpose to his life.
“My boy is such a wonder,” he said. “I just hope he doesn’t have my genes.”
