Former NJ Devil-turned-coach Jim Dowd faces assault charges from 16-year-old

A hearing for high school hockey coach Jim Dowd, a former player for the New Jersey Devils, in a Wall Township courtroom Tuesday to face charges he kicked a 16-year-old player in the back has been waived.

Jim Dowd (Manasquan/Point Pleasant Hockey Team)

The parents of a 16-year-old player filed simple assault charges against Dowd with Wall Police, according to News 12 New Jersey. They say he kicked their son in the back following a game with Dowd's Manasquan/Point Pleasant varsity hockey team last Wednesday. The game took place at Jersey Shore Arena in Farmingdale.

The Asbury Park Press reports Dowd waived the hearing through his lawyer prior to the Tuesday morning hearing.

Dowd did not coach the Bulldogs during Monday night's game against Rumson/Fair Haven. Players, coaches and parents at the game had no comment about the charge, according to the Asbury Park Press.

A member of the New Jersey High School Hockey Hall of Fame, Dowd is in his first year as head coach and has a 3-9 record competing in the Shore Conference. The team is made up of players from both Manasquan and Point Pleasant high schools.

Dowd, a Brick native, played 17 years in the NHL including six years with the Devils between 1992 and 1996 and was on the team's 1995 Stanley Cup championship roster.

Dino Flammia contributed to this report.