Gwinnett Gladiators Hockey Player Involved In DUI Crash

Phil Youngclaus, 27 year old hockey player for the Gwinnett Gladiators, is currently in satisfactory condition at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville following a possibly alcohol-related car accident. The details of his injuries have not yet been released.

Youngclaus was prepared to enter his fifth year as a professional hockey player. Originally from Massachussetts, he said he “loved it” in Georgia, and, considering his playing statistics, that affection made a lot of sense; last season he completed seven assists in just over thirty games as a defenseman. His performance was good enough to earn him the distinction of first player drafted to the Gladiators for the upcoming season. “He’s a good kid,” said Jeff Pyle, head coach of the Gladiators.

According to police reports the DUI car accident took place on Sunday, August 9^th, as Youngclaus drove his 2005 Ford F-150 down Stout Springs Road. At approximately 2:30 am the car drifted off the road, quickly losing traction and then somersaulting several times, ejecting Youngclaus before eventually colliding with a nearby fence and mailbox. According to reports, injuries were likely sustained to Youngclaus’ head and back.

Georgia police cited Youngclaus for four offenses: “DUI, possession of open container in a vehicle, failure to maintain lane and for not wearing his seatbelt” (Gwinnett Daily Post). Directly following the incident, Youngclaus had refused to consent to a blood alcohol exam.

Youngclaus’ future as a hockey player remains in the balance. Although the circumstances of the car wreck are certainly unfortunate, Pyle, the coach of the Gladiators, offered some much-needed perspective: right now, he points out, Youngclaus is simply “lucky to be alive.”

For more information, visit the Gwinnett Daily Post article here.