You don't expect a simple afternoon cab ride to end with broken glass and facial injuries. But that's exactly what happened in Maple Ridge when a routine trip turned into a violent outburst. Police just announced that Link Gaetz, a former NHL player once famous for his brutal enforcement on the ice, faces criminal charges for a vicious attack on a local taxi driver.
The incident happened back on September 17, 2025. It took months of investigation, photo releases, and public appeals for the Maple Ridge RCMP to finally secure charges. Right now, Gaetz is a wanted man with an active arrest warrant hanging over his head.
This isn't just another story about a retired athlete getting into trouble. It highlights a massive, ongoing issue regarding the safety of transit and taxi workers who face unpredictable dangers every single day.
The Details of the Unprovoked Attack
The Maple Ridge RCMP responded to a call near the intersection of Sheldrake Court and Fern Crescent just before 3 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a cab driver with visible facial injuries.
According to investigators, the driver picked up a male passenger at a business near 232 Street and 129 Avenue. The passenger gave directions to a residential area. Then, out of nowhere, he ordered the driver to stop.
What followed was a fast, completely unprovoked assault. The suspect repeatedly punched the driver in the face. He didn't stop there. He tried to rip out the taxi’s internal CCTV camera and smashed the vehicle's front windshield before running away from the scene.
After a lengthy investigation that relied heavily on cab surveillance photos shared with the public, authorities officially identified the suspect as 57-year-old Link Gaetz. The BC Prosecution Service has approved charges of assault and mischief under $5,000 against him.
Who is Link Gaetz?
If you followed hockey in the late 1980s and early 1990s, you know the name. Gaetz earned the nickname "The Missing Link" for a reason. He was one of the most feared enforcers of his era, standing 6'4" and weighing over 250 pounds. He didn't just play physical; he looked for fights with legendary heavyweights like Bob Probert and Gino Odjick.
His stats tell the whole story. During the 1991-1992 NHL season with the San Jose Sharks, Gaetz played only 48 games but managed to rack up a staggering 326 penalty minutes.
His big-league career was cut short by tragedy in April 1992. A horrific car crash left him in a coma for eight days. He survived, worked through intense therapy to regain his speech and movement, and even returned to the ice in minor professional leagues. But he never made it back to the NHL stage.
Decades after his retirement, his name is back in the headlines for an act of real-world violence.
The Unacceptable Reality for Taxi Drivers
This case puts a harsh spotlight on a reality that ride-share and taxi drivers know all too well. Their workplace is a small, enclosed space with total strangers, often making them incredibly vulnerable.
Data from WorkSafeBC shows that transportation workers face a disproportionately high risk of workplace violence compared to traditional desk jobs. Verbal threats, fare evasion, and physical attacks happen far too often. Drivers are basically forced to be amateur security guards while keeping their eyes on the road.
While the charges against Gaetz haven't been proven in court, the nature of the allegations—trying to destroy the security camera and cracking the windshield—shows a deliberate attempt to erase evidence and cause maximum damage.
The Active Search for "The Missing Link"
Link Gaetz remains at large, and the Maple Ridge RCMP need help finding him. Because of his massive frame, he isn't exactly easy to miss in a crowd.
Police have provided the following description to help the public identify him:
- Race: Caucasian
- Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
- Weight: 252 lbs (114 kg)
- Hair: Blond
- Eyes: Blue
- Current Residence: Known to live in Mission, BC
If you live in the Lower Mainland, especially around Mission or Maple Ridge, keep your eyes open. Do not attempt to confront him yourself. Instead, immediately call the Maple Ridge RCMP at 604-463-6251 and reference police file number 2025-19870. You can also submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers if you prefer to keep your name out of it. Let the police do their job so the victim can get some closure.
