NCAA got it right with Penn State and blind Joe Paterno. It's a lesson for everyone involved in sports, from the highest levels of college like Penn State to local minor hockey associations.
Minor Hockey Moments
Monday, July 23, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Minor hockey helps pay cancer-fighting bills
Novice hockey player in Calgary came off the ice with a headache. Then it got worse. http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2012/07/20120709-085551.html
To help, visit Visit http://www.gofundme.com/help-jordan-battle to help.
To help, visit Visit http://www.gofundme.com/help-jordan-battle to help.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Minor hockey fraud and sexual assault charges
It's sad when people get into such a pickle they turn to crime - like the Petrolia Minor Hockey treasurer who scooped funds from minor hockey to support her family. She took $75,000, but should be commended for an effort to right her wrong as reported here.
I thought fraud of minor sports organizations began and ended with a few hundred thousand dollars stolen by our own West London Minor Hockey Association treasurer at the turn of the century to support a gambling habit. Sadly, he committed suicide when caught.
But every season it seems there's another case which comes to light. Checks and balances, folks. When it comes to families' and sponsors' money, no one gets exclusive trust.
Speaking of things that can go wrong in minor hockey, there's a new charge in an old sexual assault in Mississauga where an Applewood minor hockey coach from the 1980s is charged with assaulting boys who were about 10 at the time. The assaults allegedly took place in the 1980s - decades before the Speak Out program and two-in-the-room rule.
I thought fraud of minor sports organizations began and ended with a few hundred thousand dollars stolen by our own West London Minor Hockey Association treasurer at the turn of the century to support a gambling habit. Sadly, he committed suicide when caught.
But every season it seems there's another case which comes to light. Checks and balances, folks. When it comes to families' and sponsors' money, no one gets exclusive trust.
Speaking of things that can go wrong in minor hockey, there's a new charge in an old sexual assault in Mississauga where an Applewood minor hockey coach from the 1980s is charged with assaulting boys who were about 10 at the time. The assaults allegedly took place in the 1980s - decades before the Speak Out program and two-in-the-room rule.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Coach trips 13-year-old in handshake line
The problem with summer minor hockey leagues is they don't have the same controls and screening that more formal minor hockey associations have. Not sure if that was a factor in this guy being allowed to coach in a British Columbia spring league, but unless the video is lying he's not the kind of guy parents should want leading their kids.
After all, what adult would purposely trip a 13-year-old child?
He might be charged and even if the charge doesn't stick, he should be done as a kids' coach in any league, even one like this.
Thanks to video being shot everywhere these days, we have the coach's trip here on YouTube.
After all, what adult would purposely trip a 13-year-old child?
He might be charged and even if the charge doesn't stick, he should be done as a kids' coach in any league, even one like this.
Thanks to video being shot everywhere these days, we have the coach's trip here on YouTube.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Fluke OT goal illegal - but that's OK
A fluke goal in the American Hockey League final should have been disallowed, says the league president. But oddly, the Toronto Marlies won't protest their Game 3 loss to Norfolk.
Kind of solidifies that the AHL isn't a real pro league - just a practice group for the NHL.
Here's the background from the Toronto Star. Here's the video of the fluke.
Kind of solidifies that the AHL isn't a real pro league - just a practice group for the NHL.
Here's the background from the Toronto Star. Here's the video of the fluke.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
City road hockey gets complex
The ice is out at most arenas and minor hockey has given way to road hockey season. Except maybe in places where there's an unreasonable ban or bureaucratic permit applications - like here.
My son spent the weekend playing in a four-on-four road hockey tournament in downtown London and while games rarely break out on our cul-de-sac anymore, it's a sign of the neighbourhood growing older, not a lack of interest.
Road hockey is as Canadian as maple syrup - and a lot cheaper than minor hockey. It should be encouraged on quiet residential streets everywhere.
My son spent the weekend playing in a four-on-four road hockey tournament in downtown London and while games rarely break out on our cul-de-sac anymore, it's a sign of the neighbourhood growing older, not a lack of interest.
Road hockey is as Canadian as maple syrup - and a lot cheaper than minor hockey. It should be encouraged on quiet residential streets everywhere.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Hockey earmuffs
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| Think pro hockey is G-rated for kids? Think again. The language is R, even for gentle teams like the Philadelphia Flyers. Check out the protective dad and child in his hero's jersey. |
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
NHL playoffs undo good work of minor hockey leaders
The brutally violent NHL playoffs may be good for TV ratings and provide comedy for American sportscasts (although not as funny as NBA fights), but it's a disaster for Canadian minor hockey where the movement to sportsmanship and protection of children's heads will be derailed by the pros. It's a case of monkey see, monkey do, especially among teenage players.
Worst was Shea Weber, captain of the Nashville Predators and an elite defenceman any team would welcome. But his slamming of Detroit Red Wings star forward Henrik Zetterberg's head into the glass. It was a stupid WWE moment. Just substitute "glass" for "turnbuckle". How do you convince kids to respect heads now?
My No. 1 stupid playoff moment - so far - is a Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers game in which the world's greatest player, the face of the pro game, a usually class guy, turned into a petulant child instead of a leader of a pro team. Following a scrum, Sidney Crosby knocked away the glove of Jake Voracek
(its at the 2:25 mark of the video). How to minor hockey coaches tell kids to be sporting when an icon like Crosby behaves like a twit?
Trust me, the spectacle undoes much of the progress and good work done by minor hockey, from tyke house league all the way up to the future pros of major junior.
Hockey's a sport, not a circus.
Worst was Shea Weber, captain of the Nashville Predators and an elite defenceman any team would welcome. But his slamming of Detroit Red Wings star forward Henrik Zetterberg's head into the glass. It was a stupid WWE moment. Just substitute "glass" for "turnbuckle". How do you convince kids to respect heads now?
My No. 1 stupid playoff moment - so far - is a Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers game in which the world's greatest player, the face of the pro game, a usually class guy, turned into a petulant child instead of a leader of a pro team. Following a scrum, Sidney Crosby knocked away the glove of Jake Voracek
(its at the 2:25 mark of the video). How to minor hockey coaches tell kids to be sporting when an icon like Crosby behaves like a twit?
Trust me, the spectacle undoes much of the progress and good work done by minor hockey, from tyke house league all the way up to the future pros of major junior.
Hockey's a sport, not a circus.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Pushing elite kids too quickly
So your child has excelled in tyke house league and you want to push for a spot on an elite AAA team with visions of an NHL career for him and early retirement for you.
Chill.
While there's merit to having highly skilled children play up an age group, the rush to AAA isn't so wise unless the politics of the organization are such that it's "first in, stay forever", objectivity of tryouts be damned.
It's better for the child and family finances to stay grounded playing with a peer group with time for other kids' stuff such as school sports, family life and, heaven forbid, homework.
By age 10 or 12, it's time for the best of the best to try AAA.
Consider Canada's highest paid professional athlete, who by the way is not a hockey player. Joey Votto of Etobicoke, who just signed a monster 10-year contract worth $225 million with the Cincinnati Reds, didn't sign up for minor baseball until age 12. In house league. His mom still works as a sommelier so maybe she'll celebrate with one of the finest wines from the world's highest wine cellar at the 360 Restaurant.
Chill.
While there's merit to having highly skilled children play up an age group, the rush to AAA isn't so wise unless the politics of the organization are such that it's "first in, stay forever", objectivity of tryouts be damned.
It's better for the child and family finances to stay grounded playing with a peer group with time for other kids' stuff such as school sports, family life and, heaven forbid, homework.
By age 10 or 12, it's time for the best of the best to try AAA.
Consider Canada's highest paid professional athlete, who by the way is not a hockey player. Joey Votto of Etobicoke, who just signed a monster 10-year contract worth $225 million with the Cincinnati Reds, didn't sign up for minor baseball until age 12. In house league. His mom still works as a sommelier so maybe she'll celebrate with one of the finest wines from the world's highest wine cellar at the 360 Restaurant.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Reserved for Walter Gretzky
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