A star player with the Winnipeg Sea Bears basketball team who was badly injured in a nightclub assault said on Thursday he's grateful for support from the team and fans, as city police have charged three security guards following the altercation.
Teddy Allen, guard for the Canadian Elite Basketball League squad, said in a statement he is at home healing after receiving medical care from the Aug. 3 assault at the downtown Winnipeg nightclub.
"I'm very sorry that I was unable to finish the season with the team. We worked together really hard all season, and I'm very grateful for everyone's support," the statement released by the Sea Bears said.
"The assault on me should never have happened nor should it happen to anyone for any reason."
Allen went on to say he hopes to return to the game later in the fall.
"The thing about my life is that when I've been knocked down, I get back up, which is exactly what I am going to do now."
He would not got into details about his injuries or what led up to the assault, but did acknowledge the work police have done through their investigation.
The team previously alleged Allen had been assaulted by security staff and described his injuries as significant but would not elaborate.
On the same day Allen released his statement, police announced three security guards were arrested following an investigation.
They said officers were called to the bar in the early morning hours after learning the 28-year-old player originally from Arizona was injured during an altercation with security.
Investigators identified three guards, aged 35, 37 and 58, and charged them Wednesday with assault causing bodily harm. They were released on an undertaking.
Allen, who is the front-runner to win the league's player of the year award, has been unable to play with the team as it has had an impressive playoff run.
The team is one win away from earning its first Canadian Elite Basketball League championship.
Allen is not expected to be in the lineup when the Sea Bears take on the Brampton Honey Badgers in Winnipeg on Saturday for the single game championship after the first game between the teams was cancelled earlier this week due to condensation on the court.
The league opted to change the finals to a single game instead of a best of three.
