Eric Day will be sentenced in April for stomping on another man's head during a vicious attack on the city's boardwalk last summer.
A judge set the date Thursday after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in connection with the Aug. 15 incident.
Ontario Court Justice John Condon heard city police officers were called to St. Mary's Drive, near the Station Mall's Galaxy Cinema, about a bleeding man on the ground.
The victim had been approached by two men who kicked him, prosecutor Chris Thompson said.
Day stomped on his head while he was on the ground, the assistant Crown attorney told the court.
The victim suffered life-threatening head injuries and was taken to the Sault Area Hospital in critical condition. He was intubated there and transferred to Health Sciences North in Sudbury.
Condon heard the man suffered a fracture, a ruptured membrane and ear trauma, rib fractures, multiple contusions and abrasions.
Thompson indicated the prosecution will provide the court with further facts, including the impact the attack has had on the victim, at the sentencing hearing.
At the request of defence lawyer Eric McCooeye pre-sentence and Gladue reports will be prepared for the April 24 hearing.