American blogger JBM Thinks is a sports mom, coach's wife with interesting insights. Hockey parents can just substitute the word "rink" for field or court in her new Top 10 list of New Year's resolutions you can find here.
My resolution? To help get a chartered bus full of Canadian teenage hockey players to Nashville and back, well fed, homework done and in good weather driving. And with a championship trophy. Not that I'm overly competitive, just that we do intend to win.
Minor Hockey Moments
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
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Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Kitchener, Waterloo ready to marry AAA programs
Interesting times ahead for elite minor hockey families in Kitchener and Waterloo as the number of midget and bantam AAA teams in the Twin Cities may soon be cut in half.
Under the hand of the Major Junior Kitchener Rangers, the AAA programs are slated to be amalgamated, meaning better AAA teams but fewer spots for players, who will either filter down to AA hockey teams or drift to other sports.
What's more, according to the Waterloo Region Record, the wheels are in motion to loosen the geographical restrictions for competitive hockey in Ontario in preparation for a "Super Midget League".
Interesting times are ahead for K-W that'll make last summer's AA debate in London look like child's play.
Under the hand of the Major Junior Kitchener Rangers, the AAA programs are slated to be amalgamated, meaning better AAA teams but fewer spots for players, who will either filter down to AA hockey teams or drift to other sports.
What's more, according to the Waterloo Region Record, the wheels are in motion to loosen the geographical restrictions for competitive hockey in Ontario in preparation for a "Super Midget League".
Interesting times are ahead for K-W that'll make last summer's AA debate in London look like child's play.
Our tournament time goes south
The Christmas break is tournament time for thousands of minor hockey players and parents.
Mostly a week for house league events, we never had to do the travel/hotel thing during our Christmas years, unless you count going back and forth to Brantford for the annual Wayne Gretzky competitive tournament.
For those who've never been, the Gretzky tournament is a cut above most others in terms of the effort to make it a show of friendship and love of hockey. An Olympic-style opening ceremony at the Brantford Civic Centre, an historic old barn strategically located next to the city's casino, is an awesome experience.
Or at least it should be. The year our team played in Brantford, there was such a gap between games all but three players went back to London. It didn't leave much of a team representation to march onto the ice. But other teams were there, including some from far away, drawn by the fun of playing in the home town of hockey's greatest star.
Brantford has an arena and swimming pool complex named in honour of Gretzky and this year's tournament marks a milestone of sorts for that facility. It is undergoing extensive renovations and this is the last year will be played on the old ice pads.
Just by coincidence, the tournament has 99 teams entered this year. Another odd coincidence? It's 99 kilometres from our driveway to the Gretzky arena.
As for our current team, we're off the ice during the Christmas break. When we found out our own West London Minor Hockey Association had cancelled our midget division in a February tournament because only three teams had registered, I found a replacement tournament this week in Hespeler. But while I found a tournament, I lost a team with most families and our coach having made other plans.
Given that we played our most recent league game with only 10 players, entering a tournament would've been a disaster.
Meanwhile, the focus is on a mega-trip in January to Franklin, TN, a half-hour drive south of Nashville where we'll line up against the Huntsville Chargers, South Florida Golden Wolves and Houston Wild.
It's a day-long, two-driver, $7,000 chartered bus ride to get to this tournament, so it's a little different than scooting done to Western Fair or St. Thomas for a few games.
Our teenagers will appreciate it, right?
Mostly a week for house league events, we never had to do the travel/hotel thing during our Christmas years, unless you count going back and forth to Brantford for the annual Wayne Gretzky competitive tournament.
For those who've never been, the Gretzky tournament is a cut above most others in terms of the effort to make it a show of friendship and love of hockey. An Olympic-style opening ceremony at the Brantford Civic Centre, an historic old barn strategically located next to the city's casino, is an awesome experience.
Or at least it should be. The year our team played in Brantford, there was such a gap between games all but three players went back to London. It didn't leave much of a team representation to march onto the ice. But other teams were there, including some from far away, drawn by the fun of playing in the home town of hockey's greatest star.
Brantford has an arena and swimming pool complex named in honour of Gretzky and this year's tournament marks a milestone of sorts for that facility. It is undergoing extensive renovations and this is the last year will be played on the old ice pads.
Just by coincidence, the tournament has 99 teams entered this year. Another odd coincidence? It's 99 kilometres from our driveway to the Gretzky arena.
As for our current team, we're off the ice during the Christmas break. When we found out our own West London Minor Hockey Association had cancelled our midget division in a February tournament because only three teams had registered, I found a replacement tournament this week in Hespeler. But while I found a tournament, I lost a team with most families and our coach having made other plans.
Given that we played our most recent league game with only 10 players, entering a tournament would've been a disaster.
Meanwhile, the focus is on a mega-trip in January to Franklin, TN, a half-hour drive south of Nashville where we'll line up against the Huntsville Chargers, South Florida Golden Wolves and Houston Wild.
It's a day-long, two-driver, $7,000 chartered bus ride to get to this tournament, so it's a little different than scooting done to Western Fair or St. Thomas for a few games.
Our teenagers will appreciate it, right?
Whale of a time for London product
At age 30, Londoner Jason Williams is still plugging away at pro hockey. After five years in the NHL, he's signed a tryout contract with the AHL Connecticut Whale.
Wasn't it Eddie Shack who was asked why he kept playing even though he had little ice time? He replied, because a seat on the bench is cheaper than a seat in the stands.
Those who love the game and get paid for it never want to get a real job if they can help it.
Details are here, courtesy AHL.com
Wasn't it Eddie Shack who was asked why he kept playing even though he had little ice time? He replied, because a seat on the bench is cheaper than a seat in the stands.
Those who love the game and get paid for it never want to get a real job if they can help it.
Details are here, courtesy AHL.com
Monday, December 27, 2010
Windsor tournament re-named for Probert
Hockey officials in Windsor, Ont., have renamed that city's annual Christmas novice tournament in honour of Bob Probert, the former Detroit Red Wing and Chicago Blackhawk enforcer who died of a heart attack at age 45.
To those who think of Probert only as a feared NHL tough guy who had brushes with the law might find this curious. But Probert was much more than that to his hometown. His image was positive.
Still, it's likely best that it's a novice tournament carrying his name. No telling how midgets would act playing under the Probert moniker.
To those who think of Probert only as a feared NHL tough guy who had brushes with the law might find this curious. But Probert was much more than that to his hometown. His image was positive.
Still, it's likely best that it's a novice tournament carrying his name. No telling how midgets would act playing under the Probert moniker.
Debate rages over tournaments using city's best arena
When you travel to an out-of-town tournament, you expect to be treated royally. Welcome gifts for kids or player of the game awards are often part of the formula. Playing in the host community's best rink is a given.
Or not. At least if you're heading to Kingston, Ont., where a debate has erupted over whether or not hockey tournaments should be held in the city's spiffy new four-pad facility.
The local economic development department wants the new facility to be the headquarters for tournaments. Why not? Well, at least one minor hockey official says it's not fair because it bumps local players to lesser facilities.
Seriously. When you invite company, don't you clean up a bit and use the best china?
Tournaments, when well organized, are fantastic cash cows for local associations and a major boost for local hotels and restaurants. The economic development people see this.
To follow the Kingston debate, start with this story from the Whig-Standard and read through to the many comments posted at the bottom of the newspaper story.
Or not. At least if you're heading to Kingston, Ont., where a debate has erupted over whether or not hockey tournaments should be held in the city's spiffy new four-pad facility.
The local economic development department wants the new facility to be the headquarters for tournaments. Why not? Well, at least one minor hockey official says it's not fair because it bumps local players to lesser facilities.
Seriously. When you invite company, don't you clean up a bit and use the best china?
Tournaments, when well organized, are fantastic cash cows for local associations and a major boost for local hotels and restaurants. The economic development people see this.
To follow the Kingston debate, start with this story from the Whig-Standard and read through to the many comments posted at the bottom of the newspaper story.
Captain of US juniors has London ties
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made many odd moves over the years, among them naming Rob Ramage as captain even before he pulled on the jersey way back in the Harold Ballard era.
His impact on the franchise was insignificant - Ramage is remembered more as a defenceman with the Calgary Flame or St. Louis Blues. And, of course, the player who grew up in my neighbourhood in London is also remembered as the drunk driver who crashed a car and killed fellow retired NHL defenceman Keith Magnuson.
Rob Ramage, who starred with our local Major Junior London Knights, is in jail now, unable to watch live his American-born son captain Team USA at the World Juniors in Buffalo.
In today's Sun Media newspapers, the always excellent Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press tells the story of John Ramage and his rise to hockey prominence. John Ramage seems like the prototype team player who may very well have an excellent pro career ahead of him. Read Ryan's story as it was posted by the Toronto Sun by clicking here. (I couldn't find it posted by the London Free Press.)
Not that we're cheering for the Americans to win the World Juniors, despite the fact their captain is the son of a Londoner.
We're obligated to cheer for Canada and Brayden Schenn of Saskatoon - a player I wish could join his brother with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
And speaking of the Leafs, shouldn't Nazem Kadri, another of the many pro hockey players from London and area, be with the Canadian juniors instead of the Leafs?
His impact on the franchise was insignificant - Ramage is remembered more as a defenceman with the Calgary Flame or St. Louis Blues. And, of course, the player who grew up in my neighbourhood in London is also remembered as the drunk driver who crashed a car and killed fellow retired NHL defenceman Keith Magnuson.
Rob Ramage, who starred with our local Major Junior London Knights, is in jail now, unable to watch live his American-born son captain Team USA at the World Juniors in Buffalo.
In today's Sun Media newspapers, the always excellent Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press tells the story of John Ramage and his rise to hockey prominence. John Ramage seems like the prototype team player who may very well have an excellent pro career ahead of him. Read Ryan's story as it was posted by the Toronto Sun by clicking here. (I couldn't find it posted by the London Free Press.)
Not that we're cheering for the Americans to win the World Juniors, despite the fact their captain is the son of a Londoner.
We're obligated to cheer for Canada and Brayden Schenn of Saskatoon - a player I wish could join his brother with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
And speaking of the Leafs, shouldn't Nazem Kadri, another of the many pro hockey players from London and area, be with the Canadian juniors instead of the Leafs?
Friday, December 24, 2010
Minor hockey loses option for hurt kids
Hurt in a hockey game and looking for quick repairs in London? Don't turn to St. Joseph's hospital in London.
St. Joseph's, which is located to several city arenas, lost its emergency department years ago but now has a fantastic urgent care centre - fantastic, that is, when it's staffed and open.
It's been a destination of choice when minor hockey players - and others - have suffered bumps, bruises, strains, pains, suspected concussions and broken bones.
But now the urgent care centre is closing daily at 4 pm due to a lack of staff, John Miner of The London Free Press reports.
That'll leave hurting kids heading to the emergency department at Sick Children's Hospital of Western Ontario at the London Health Sciences Centre's Victoria campus or to University Hospital in the city's north end.
If it has to cut back hours, St. Joe's urgent care should be open evenings and closed afternoons.
Until staffing improves, now more than ever, play safe in London.
St. Joseph's, which is located to several city arenas, lost its emergency department years ago but now has a fantastic urgent care centre - fantastic, that is, when it's staffed and open.
It's been a destination of choice when minor hockey players - and others - have suffered bumps, bruises, strains, pains, suspected concussions and broken bones.
But now the urgent care centre is closing daily at 4 pm due to a lack of staff, John Miner of The London Free Press reports.
That'll leave hurting kids heading to the emergency department at Sick Children's Hospital of Western Ontario at the London Health Sciences Centre's Victoria campus or to University Hospital in the city's north end.
If it has to cut back hours, St. Joe's urgent care should be open evenings and closed afternoons.
Until staffing improves, now more than ever, play safe in London.
Lone girl exits peewee team thanks to a hockey dad lawyer
What kind of a parent would lobby to remove a 12-year-old player from a team half way through a season?
A lawyer who sincerely thought he was doing the right thing, I suppose.
It happened with a peewee 'A' team in Toronto when a parent sought the support of other parents on his son's team to "fix" the problem of the team's only female, and weakest player.
The Toronto Star wrote:
Atis ... details two possible options for consideration, either moving Kayla from defence to forward and keeping her off of power plays and penalty kills, or playing her every second shift on defence and again keeping her off special teams “until her skating and shooting improves.” “If Kayla is NOT amenable to the above options, the coach should find Kayla a new team to play on — commensurate to her skill level — for the balance of the season,” .... Atis also raised concerns about Kayla changing in the same locker-room as the boys, stating, “there have been many ‘near miss’ incidents where the boys have almost been exposed to Kayla.”
To more read details from another blogger, click here.
To read the original Toronto Star article, click here.
A lawyer who sincerely thought he was doing the right thing, I suppose.
It happened with a peewee 'A' team in Toronto when a parent sought the support of other parents on his son's team to "fix" the problem of the team's only female, and weakest player.
The Toronto Star wrote:
Atis ... details two possible options for consideration, either moving Kayla from defence to forward and keeping her off of power plays and penalty kills, or playing her every second shift on defence and again keeping her off special teams “until her skating and shooting improves.” “If Kayla is NOT amenable to the above options, the coach should find Kayla a new team to play on — commensurate to her skill level — for the balance of the season,” .... Atis also raised concerns about Kayla changing in the same locker-room as the boys, stating, “there have been many ‘near miss’ incidents where the boys have almost been exposed to Kayla.”
To more read details from another blogger, click here.
To read the original Toronto Star article, click here.
Lost but a win
Eleven years of driving to minor hockey rinks, obscure and obvious. I'd never gotten lost - delayed in Waterloo once, maybe - until last night.
We were headed to Lions Park Arena in Brantford last night to make up a game cancelled because of last week's storm. We've never been to Lions Park before - usually we play at the Gretzky - so I dutifully checked and printed out instructions from an online arena finding service. And no, I don't have a GPS.
The driving was good and we arrived so early that we stopped at a Taco Bell for a dinner, phase 2, then continued on our way to the arena. Or so we thought. When we reached the city limits, I figured something was amiss. Asked one person, who had never heard of the arena. Asked another who thought it was in Paris. Asked a third who said we were going exactly the wrong way - it's close to downtown Brantford.
As we were getting back on track, the cellphone rings. It's our manager calling from the arena lobby wondering where we were and if we were coming. It was a bit of crisis as we only had nine skaters and one goalie, thanks to travel plans, work commitments and injuries. Fortunately, there was a map in the arena lobby and he guided us in - then pointed out a sale price on a great GPS.
Of course we didn't expect to win the game and a short bench soon became shorter. Our captain re -aggravated his knee and upper thigh early in the first period. One of the four defencemen - OK, it was my son - took a hefty penalty and missed half a period. Another forward took a puck off the helmet. Another defenceman was pushed heavily into the boards on the first shift of the third period and managed only a shift or two after that.
Still, the pucks went in for us - five goals. Brantford hit the post at least four times and scored four, the last with their net empty in the final moments. A 5-4 win and only seven skaters by the end of the game.
A Christmas miracle to be sure.
And if there's a GPS under the tree on Christmas morning, I'll understand why.
We were headed to Lions Park Arena in Brantford last night to make up a game cancelled because of last week's storm. We've never been to Lions Park before - usually we play at the Gretzky - so I dutifully checked and printed out instructions from an online arena finding service. And no, I don't have a GPS.
 |
| The bench was a short for the West London Hawks midgets in Brantford. They ended the game with seven skaters. |
As we were getting back on track, the cellphone rings. It's our manager calling from the arena lobby wondering where we were and if we were coming. It was a bit of crisis as we only had nine skaters and one goalie, thanks to travel plans, work commitments and injuries. Fortunately, there was a map in the arena lobby and he guided us in - then pointed out a sale price on a great GPS.
Of course we didn't expect to win the game and a short bench soon became shorter. Our captain re -aggravated his knee and upper thigh early in the first period. One of the four defencemen - OK, it was my son - took a hefty penalty and missed half a period. Another forward took a puck off the helmet. Another defenceman was pushed heavily into the boards on the first shift of the third period and managed only a shift or two after that.
Still, the pucks went in for us - five goals. Brantford hit the post at least four times and scored four, the last with their net empty in the final moments. A 5-4 win and only seven skaters by the end of the game.
A Christmas miracle to be sure.
And if there's a GPS under the tree on Christmas morning, I'll understand why.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Teen suspended from hockey for wanting better marks in school
Are crazy, bureaucratic rules only for boys' hockey? Nope, elite female hockey in Saskatoon shows it can compete with the boys when it comes to tripping up the school and hockey aspirations of a 17-year-old.
The Saskatoon StarPhoenix has the story about a team transfer gone off the rails involving Lindsay Karst and the local AAA Saskatoon Stars. In a nutshell, both she and her coach have been suspended because her parents were worried about Lindsay's falling grades.
Is minor hockey, even at the elite level, organized for the kids or for the egos of adults? Just asking.
The Saskatoon StarPhoenix has the story about a team transfer gone off the rails involving Lindsay Karst and the local AAA Saskatoon Stars. In a nutshell, both she and her coach have been suspended because her parents were worried about Lindsay's falling grades.
Is minor hockey, even at the elite level, organized for the kids or for the egos of adults? Just asking.
Teams boycott Peterborough tournaments
The coach of two London, Ont., minor hockey teams says his squads will be boycotting tournaments in Peterborough until the Ontario Minor Hockey Association apologies to coach Greg Walsh.
This is an interesting development you can read in this Postmedia story.
Not sure if this is a fair tactic, but if the goal is to continue the discussion about racism in minor hockey, then so be it.
This is an interesting development you can read in this Postmedia story.
Not sure if this is a fair tactic, but if the goal is to continue the discussion about racism in minor hockey, then so be it.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sidney Crosby brings Cole Harbour team to Winter Classic
Does Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby remember his minor hockey roots?
You bet he does - often helping teams from Nova Scotia.
The most recent example is arranging for an AA bantam team to play in a minor hockey tournament as part of this year's NHL Winter Classic weekend.
Don't we all wish Crosby came from our home town.
Read the story in the Dartmouth Chronicle-Herald.
You bet he does - often helping teams from Nova Scotia.
The most recent example is arranging for an AA bantam team to play in a minor hockey tournament as part of this year's NHL Winter Classic weekend.
Don't we all wish Crosby came from our home town.
Read the story in the Dartmouth Chronicle-Herald.
OMHA reverses coach's suspension
The OMHA has reversed a decision to suspend a Peterborough house league coach who stood up for his team in the face of racism on the ice. Good move. Let's play on.
Coach Greg Walsh had originally been suspended a year after his team refused to return to the ice for the third period after an opposing player called one of Coach Walsh's players the n-word.
The player who used the slur apologized and has already served a three-game suspension.
Here's a link to a CBC report.
Coach Greg Walsh had originally been suspended a year after his team refused to return to the ice for the third period after an opposing player called one of Coach Walsh's players the n-word.
The player who used the slur apologized and has already served a three-game suspension.
Here's a link to a CBC report.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Cherry on top
DJ Steve Porter nails it with this excellent Don Cherry remix first broadcast Dec. 18, 2010, on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.
Georges Laraque weighs in on hockey racism
Former NHL player Georges Laraque has weighed in on racism in hockey in the wake of the stupid one-year suspension given a Peterborough house league coach by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.
The former Montreal Canadien writes, "It's unacceptable and shameful that the OMHA is choosing to hide behind their rules and regulations to punish Walsh, instead of giving him and his team the respect they deserve for standing up against racism. Every single one of us knows that he did the right thing."
As I said in a blog posting a few days ago, the OMHA has screwed up, totally misreading the tea leaves and misjudging public opinion in dealing with this incident.
Here's the link to Laraque's Facebook posting.
The former Montreal Canadien writes, "It's unacceptable and shameful that the OMHA is choosing to hide behind their rules and regulations to punish Walsh, instead of giving him and his team the respect they deserve for standing up against racism. Every single one of us knows that he did the right thing."
As I said in a blog posting a few days ago, the OMHA has screwed up, totally misreading the tea leaves and misjudging public opinion in dealing with this incident.
Here's the link to Laraque's Facebook posting.
Greg Walsh gets shafted by OMHA
Steve Simmons is my favourite sports columnist for Sun Media. He's also an experienced volunteer minor hockey coach. Here's what he says about the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and Peterborough house league coach Greg Walsh. Clearly, the suspension is unfair and the public backlash has only just begun to harm the OMHA and the image of minor hockey.
The better solution to this whole situation would have been a media conference apology involving the kids, two coaches and OMHA head.
Suspending Walsh for a year makes the OMHA look like it condones racism and shafts volunteers who are sincere in trying to mold teenagers into fine young men.
Here is what Steve wrote in the online version of his column.
The better solution to this whole situation would have been a media conference apology involving the kids, two coaches and OMHA head.
Suspending Walsh for a year makes the OMHA look like it condones racism and shafts volunteers who are sincere in trying to mold teenagers into fine young men.
Here is what Steve wrote in the online version of his column.
BLINDNESS OF MINOR HOCKEY
For more than 20 seasons, under all kinds of circumstances, I have coached various levels of minor hockey in the province. I have been suspended more than once and argued against my players’ suspensions vociferously and often have been frustrated by rules that benefit the administrators but not the participants. The curious ruling this week by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association was that house league coach Greg Walsh would be suspended for pulling his team from the ice after a racial slur had been uttered by an opposing player. All Walsh asked for — and didn’t get — was an apology. Nothing more. He didn’t want his team to participate in a game being played under so ugly a tenor. The player in question wound up with a three-game suspension. The coach got the season. I would like to say I’m surprised by the ruling, but I’ve been around long enough to know that bull-headed illogic, rather than common sense, prevails too often in minor hockey rulings.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Ouch, ouch, ouch
Strathroy's Tyler Carroll of the OHL Guelph Storm shows his toughness blocking shot after shot during a penalty kill against the Kitchener Rangers.
TV viewing saved by a hockey dad
Just when it seemed like it would be a hockey-free night in our household, along comes a fellow hockey day to the rescue.
Miffed that our two-year-old Samsung LCD big screen TV broke yesterday, and further miffed that the Samsung call centre in South Carolina insisted I had to call a Mississauga company to arrange a repair, I turned to the Yellow Pages for help.
I didn't expect the TV to be fixed in time for Christmas, much less tonight's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.
But Rouel at Oxford Electronics changed that. He fixed it in a matter of hours, on a Saturday.
Rouel started the job with one proviso. If he wasn't done by mid-afternoon when he had to leave for his son's hockey game down the road in Sarnia, then the TV would have to spend the weekend on the bench.
I could identify with that. Watching one's son play minor hockey is a priority - it used to kill me when I worked nights and missed games, so much so I would try to schedule vacation days around my son's hockey schedule..
Luckily for me, the TV repair was straightforward and Rouel (pronounced Ray-el) made the London Bandits major peewees game in Sarnia.
Of course I'm still miffed with Samsung and vowed to the supervisor at the service call centre not to buy anything they make again. Then my son held up his beloved and durable cellphone - it's a Samsung. Ditto for my cellphone.
We are in the market for a new dishwasher. Anyone know a good brand?
Miffed that our two-year-old Samsung LCD big screen TV broke yesterday, and further miffed that the Samsung call centre in South Carolina insisted I had to call a Mississauga company to arrange a repair, I turned to the Yellow Pages for help.
I didn't expect the TV to be fixed in time for Christmas, much less tonight's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.
But Rouel at Oxford Electronics changed that. He fixed it in a matter of hours, on a Saturday.
Rouel started the job with one proviso. If he wasn't done by mid-afternoon when he had to leave for his son's hockey game down the road in Sarnia, then the TV would have to spend the weekend on the bench.
I could identify with that. Watching one's son play minor hockey is a priority - it used to kill me when I worked nights and missed games, so much so I would try to schedule vacation days around my son's hockey schedule..
Luckily for me, the TV repair was straightforward and Rouel (pronounced Ray-el) made the London Bandits major peewees game in Sarnia.
Of course I'm still miffed with Samsung and vowed to the supervisor at the service call centre not to buy anything they make again. Then my son held up his beloved and durable cellphone - it's a Samsung. Ditto for my cellphone.
We are in the market for a new dishwasher. Anyone know a good brand?
Friday, December 17, 2010
OMHA misreads the racism tea leaves
Oops. While the OMHA is right from a rules point of view but wrong in the eyes of broader public opinion in suspending a Peterborough midget house league coach for refusing to continue playing a game after a racial slur.
No one condones slurs in minor hockey, but the coach can't make up policy as he goes along.
Still, a suspension for the rest of the year - compared to three games for the offending player on the other team - seems too harsh. The backlash from the non-hockey playing community will not be pleasant.
Here's the link to a Toronto Star article about the situation.
Here's the link to an excellent opinion piece published by the National Post.
And to the left, a book to buy.
No one condones slurs in minor hockey, but the coach can't make up policy as he goes along.
Still, a suspension for the rest of the year - compared to three games for the offending player on the other team - seems too harsh. The backlash from the non-hockey playing community will not be pleasant.
Here's the link to a Toronto Star article about the situation.
Here's the link to an excellent opinion piece published by the National Post.
And to the left, a book to buy.
Travel and dogs
I've started two new blogs - one for dog lovers, one for travellers.
Wolf to Woof (clever, eh?) and Wayne's World of Travel are already gaining an audience.
For those who've asked, bloggers earn token amounts of money when readers click on the ads or, in my case, order a book from Amazon by following one of my product links. And, no, clicking on an ad doesn't mean you've automatically purchased the product.
Wolf to Woof (clever, eh?) and Wayne's World of Travel are already gaining an audience.
For those who've asked, bloggers earn token amounts of money when readers click on the ads or, in my case, order a book from Amazon by following one of my product links. And, no, clicking on an ad doesn't mean you've automatically purchased the product.
Wall of fame at corporate office
How often do you get to be part of a wall of fame in a corporate head office on the top floor of one of the city's tallest office buildings?
That's where I am, and more importantly my sons, in various minor hockey and soccer photos from more than a decade of involvement in London.
The office is that of Pacific & Western Bank of Canada and the sponsor plaques lining the wall are from the many kids' sports teams the bank has sponsored over the years. And it's not just the various teams my two sons have played on, but many other sports teams including a high school basketball team and charities.
Sponsorship matters. And so does saying thank you.
That's where I am, and more importantly my sons, in various minor hockey and soccer photos from more than a decade of involvement in London.
The office is that of Pacific & Western Bank of Canada and the sponsor plaques lining the wall are from the many kids' sports teams the bank has sponsored over the years. And it's not just the various teams my two sons have played on, but many other sports teams including a high school basketball team and charities.
Sponsorship matters. And so does saying thank you.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
More hockey lore
If you are heading out for some Christmas shopping and have a hockey fan on your list, here is the link to my reviews of the latest hockey books as published in The London Free Press.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Safe travels a priority
Is it karma that no sooner do I rant about weather wimps than I am crossing my fingers for a game to be cancelled because of the weather forecast? Maybe.
A snowstorm left hundreds of motorists stranded Tuesday along Highway 402 between Sarnia and Strathroy, Ont. Transport trucks, cars, police vehicles, even snowplows were stuck or in the ditch. It was the worst weather-traffic episode in Southwestern Ontario in 30 years.
Highway 402 is one of our hockey routes - Sarnia is in our league - so we know the highway well.
While it was a nice winter day in London in the morning, the forecast was for the storm to shift east and affect driving along Highway 401 between here and Woodstock. We were scheduled to make a midnight run to Brantford, an hour away, for a game. I call it a midnight run because the puck wasn't scheduled to drop until 9 pm and by the time the kids are changed and we drive home, it's pretty close to midnight.
Despite the forecasts of lousy roads it took a painfully long time to get the game officially cancelled, although I suspect many families had already made the decision not to go no matter what.
London city hall closed at mid-afternoon, many evening classes and activities in the city were cancelled.
It would've been folly to strike out for Brantford from London. No minor hockey game is worth that kind of risk.
Here's what our wintery world is looking like, courtesy The London Free Press.
A snowstorm left hundreds of motorists stranded Tuesday along Highway 402 between Sarnia and Strathroy, Ont. Transport trucks, cars, police vehicles, even snowplows were stuck or in the ditch. It was the worst weather-traffic episode in Southwestern Ontario in 30 years.
Highway 402 is one of our hockey routes - Sarnia is in our league - so we know the highway well.
While it was a nice winter day in London in the morning, the forecast was for the storm to shift east and affect driving along Highway 401 between here and Woodstock. We were scheduled to make a midnight run to Brantford, an hour away, for a game. I call it a midnight run because the puck wasn't scheduled to drop until 9 pm and by the time the kids are changed and we drive home, it's pretty close to midnight.
Despite the forecasts of lousy roads it took a painfully long time to get the game officially cancelled, although I suspect many families had already made the decision not to go no matter what.
London city hall closed at mid-afternoon, many evening classes and activities in the city were cancelled.
It would've been folly to strike out for Brantford from London. No minor hockey game is worth that kind of risk.
Here's what our wintery world is looking like, courtesy The London Free Press.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Hockey injuries happen off the ice, too
Kids can find all kinds of ways to get hurt, not all of which are on the ice.
I spend hours with my son in a Mississauga hospital during a tournament a few years ago. He had a stitch-worthy cut on his foot after slicing it on a spiral staircase leading from the hotel pool to a squash court the kids had commandeered for a mini-sticks game. A Saturday night in a big city hospital emergency department is no place for a kid. After the bars close, weird starts happening including a fight victim who seemed to be missing part of his scalp. It made the elderly lady with the non-stop bloody nose seem like nothing.
A story making the rounds in London this season has a teen player throwing all his gear around in the dressing room in a fit of rage after losing a game. Unfortunately when he whipped his skates, he hit a teammate and cut him in the head. The angry child is now out of hockey.
Sometimes it is your own teammates on the ice who do the accidental damage. Last night when our starting goaltender was preparing to warm up, he took a shot on the fingers. Not pleasant.
I spend hours with my son in a Mississauga hospital during a tournament a few years ago. He had a stitch-worthy cut on his foot after slicing it on a spiral staircase leading from the hotel pool to a squash court the kids had commandeered for a mini-sticks game. A Saturday night in a big city hospital emergency department is no place for a kid. After the bars close, weird starts happening including a fight victim who seemed to be missing part of his scalp. It made the elderly lady with the non-stop bloody nose seem like nothing.
A story making the rounds in London this season has a teen player throwing all his gear around in the dressing room in a fit of rage after losing a game. Unfortunately when he whipped his skates, he hit a teammate and cut him in the head. The angry child is now out of hockey.
Sometimes it is your own teammates on the ice who do the accidental damage. Last night when our starting goaltender was preparing to warm up, he took a shot on the fingers. Not pleasant.
Monday, December 13, 2010
West London Midgets at Stratford
Move your cursor over the my images for cool effect courtesy of Photobucket. Photos are also at the bottom of this blog. Click on the ads on this page if you like my photos!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
DJ Steve Porter - Leafs and Habs Mix
Where's Don Cherry in this great mix from DJ Steve Porter? Where's Lanny MacDonald getting leveled after skating with his head down in Montreal as a rookie Leaf? Love seeing Dave Keon and Tim Horton.
Michigan Dominates 'Big Chill'
It would take the Phoenix Coyotes 11 home games to match the attendance at the Big Chill outdoor NCAA game played Dec. 11, 2010
About those weather wimps
Hmmm, did I say weather wimps? After half a week without minor hockey in London due to a snowstorm, we're scheduled to be back on the ice tonight. But the snow's coming down again and the game is more than an hour away in Stratford. Whiteouts along Highway 7 are possible.
Suddenly, I'm hoping the game will be rescheduled. Trimming our newly purchased Christmas tree seems a better option.
Suddenly, I'm hoping the game will be rescheduled. Trimming our newly purchased Christmas tree seems a better option.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Buy the book: Hockey tomes
My page of hockey book reviews is published today in the London Free Press and lfpress.com.
The excellent photo featuring skates as bookends is by Morris Lamont, a hockey dad and former neighbour in residence way back when we were both students at Ryerson University in Toronto.
Enjoy the reviews at London Free Press Books.
The excellent photo featuring skates as bookends is by Morris Lamont, a hockey dad and former neighbour in residence way back when we were both students at Ryerson University in Toronto.
Enjoy the reviews at London Free Press Books.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Teens like to watch
So I'm sitting in my $187 seat at the Air Canada Centre watching a battle of the titans - the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Edmonton Oilers. Of course, the Oilers smacked the Leafs 5-0, leaving fans with their Phil of futility.
To my right were two grumpy old men, apparently season ticket holders, who reminded me of Waldorf and Statler from Sesame Street. Their main heckle target was the Leafs great new hope, Nazem Kadri of London. My attempt to defend Nazem, a fellow Londoner, only met with more venom.
To my left were two teens wearing Maple Leafs jerseys cheering with reckless abandon, drinking the Maple Leafs Kool Aid. Because of their all-in enthusiasm for the game, I took them for minor hockey players. But when I joked the Leafs could use them, they told me they didn't play hockey. They play basketball.
Last night, I was with my hockey-playing son at the local major junior game at the John Labatt Centre watching the Knights play the Guelph Storm. The family next to us included a teen fan - who plays football.
It made me wonder. What's wrong with hockey that teens love to watch it, but don't want to play themselves? Is it the culture of some minor hockey organizations, the cost or the fact that other youth sports offer better value?
Just asking.
To my right were two grumpy old men, apparently season ticket holders, who reminded me of Waldorf and Statler from Sesame Street. Their main heckle target was the Leafs great new hope, Nazem Kadri of London. My attempt to defend Nazem, a fellow Londoner, only met with more venom.
To my left were two teens wearing Maple Leafs jerseys cheering with reckless abandon, drinking the Maple Leafs Kool Aid. Because of their all-in enthusiasm for the game, I took them for minor hockey players. But when I joked the Leafs could use them, they told me they didn't play hockey. They play basketball.
Last night, I was with my hockey-playing son at the local major junior game at the John Labatt Centre watching the Knights play the Guelph Storm. The family next to us included a teen fan - who plays football.
It made me wonder. What's wrong with hockey that teens love to watch it, but don't want to play themselves? Is it the culture of some minor hockey organizations, the cost or the fact that other youth sports offer better value?
Just asking.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Stompin Tom Connors - The Hockey Song
Three great reasons to watch this. First, it's the greatest hockey song ever written. Second, lots of footage of Dave Keon. Third, men in the stands at Maple Leaf Gardens actually wore ties.
Hats off to great sponsors
Corporate sponsors, from the neighbourhood garage to dentists and banks, make minor hockey more affordable for minor hockey.
In house leagues, sponsors often get a team named for them. In competitive leagues, a sponsor bar gets sewn on jerseys. In Canada, Tim Hortons starts kids off on their hockey journey by sponsoring tyke leagues - Tim Bits Hockey.
The most generous sponsor I've dealt with personally is a commercial bank headquartered in London. Pacific & Western Bank of Canada has had some kind of sponsorship involvement with my son's hockey teams since he graduated from Tim Bits.
The bank's involvement has gone beyond officially sponsoring the team. When the John Labatt Centre opened in London, Pacific & Western bought a private box. During the arena's opening season, every child and a parent were given tickets to watch a London Knights major junior game from the luxury box.
Over the years, the bank provided T-shirts embroidered with the words "Pacific & Western Hockey", toques and hockey pucks - all in addition to officially sponsoring the team.
One season, after the West London Minor Hockey Association experienced a spike in registration and needed more sponsors, Pacific & Western doubled its involvement.
When another parent's store, Meloche Jewellers, offered to to take a sponsorship turn, Pacific & Western switched gears and paid for a tournament. Full use of the private box was also donated as an auction item.
All this for the betterment of the community in which the bank does business.
It's the universal motivation for sponsors of youth sports.
To all who sponsor, I tip my hat and wish you a Merry Christmas.
In house leagues, sponsors often get a team named for them. In competitive leagues, a sponsor bar gets sewn on jerseys. In Canada, Tim Hortons starts kids off on their hockey journey by sponsoring tyke leagues - Tim Bits Hockey.
The most generous sponsor I've dealt with personally is a commercial bank headquartered in London. Pacific & Western Bank of Canada has had some kind of sponsorship involvement with my son's hockey teams since he graduated from Tim Bits.
The bank's involvement has gone beyond officially sponsoring the team. When the John Labatt Centre opened in London, Pacific & Western bought a private box. During the arena's opening season, every child and a parent were given tickets to watch a London Knights major junior game from the luxury box.
Over the years, the bank provided T-shirts embroidered with the words "Pacific & Western Hockey", toques and hockey pucks - all in addition to officially sponsoring the team.
One season, after the West London Minor Hockey Association experienced a spike in registration and needed more sponsors, Pacific & Western doubled its involvement.
When another parent's store, Meloche Jewellers, offered to to take a sponsorship turn, Pacific & Western switched gears and paid for a tournament. Full use of the private box was also donated as an auction item.
All this for the betterment of the community in which the bank does business.
It's the universal motivation for sponsors of youth sports.
To all who sponsor, I tip my hat and wish you a Merry Christmas.
University team suspended after deadly hazing party
What's with sports teams and hazing?
Teenage hockey players in Parry Sound had their little go-round earlier this fall.
Now a university volleyball team's hazing party has left one of its players dead.
CBC is reporting St. Thomas University in Fredericton has suspended its entire men's volleyball team because of the incident in which, of course, heavy drinking was taking place.
Condolences to the family and friends of Andrew Bartlett, 21, who attended the party on the night of Oct. 23. When his parents proudly sent him to university, they never imagined this.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/12/09/nb-stu-hazing-volleyball-suspended-210.html#ixzz17dvaZP3q
Teenage hockey players in Parry Sound had their little go-round earlier this fall.
Now a university volleyball team's hazing party has left one of its players dead.
CBC is reporting St. Thomas University in Fredericton has suspended its entire men's volleyball team because of the incident in which, of course, heavy drinking was taking place.
Condolences to the family and friends of Andrew Bartlett, 21, who attended the party on the night of Oct. 23. When his parents proudly sent him to university, they never imagined this.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/12/09/nb-stu-hazing-volleyball-suspended-210.html#ixzz17dvaZP3q
Mistakes parents of athletes must avoid
It's a chore for many parents not to live vicariously through their athletic kids, but try we must.
Through Twitter, I stumbled upon this Top 10 list of mistakes parents of kids in sports make.
Recognize any of your errors, parents?
Through Twitter, I stumbled upon this Top 10 list of mistakes parents of kids in sports make.
Recognize any of your errors, parents?
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Buy the book
Grandparents and parents of hockey players and fans are hitting amazon.com and bookstores looking for Christmas gifts. Don't buy a hockey book until you read Saturday's London Free Press print edition (preferred) or lfpress.com.
My hockey book reviews will be published and posted Saturday to help you decide if your money is best spent on Kerry Fraser, Don Cherry, Alex Ovechkin, Brian Kilrea or the ever humble Al Strachan.
I was at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto before a Maple Leafs game last week and asked the gift shop staff and a nearby Chapters store what titles were selling well. At the Hockey Hall of Fame, it was their own Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies. At Chapters, it was Don Cherry's Hockey Stories Part 2.
Neither shop was moving many copies of my three favourites, Kerry Fraser's Final Call, Al Strachan's I Am Not Making This Up and the Brian Kilrea-James Duthie tome They Call Me Killer.
Nor were they selling a lot of copies of the excellent Ovechkin biography, The Ovechkin Project by Damien Cox and Gare Joyce. If Ovechkin were a Toronto Maple Leaf (hey, we can dream), this book would be a national bestseller.
Readers of Wayne's World of Minor Hockey can order books by clicking the amazon.com ads.
My hockey book reviews will be published and posted Saturday to help you decide if your money is best spent on Kerry Fraser, Don Cherry, Alex Ovechkin, Brian Kilrea or the ever humble Al Strachan.
I was at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto before a Maple Leafs game last week and asked the gift shop staff and a nearby Chapters store what titles were selling well. At the Hockey Hall of Fame, it was their own Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies. At Chapters, it was Don Cherry's Hockey Stories Part 2.
Neither shop was moving many copies of my three favourites, Kerry Fraser's Final Call, Al Strachan's I Am Not Making This Up and the Brian Kilrea-James Duthie tome They Call Me Killer.
Nor were they selling a lot of copies of the excellent Ovechkin biography, The Ovechkin Project by Damien Cox and Gare Joyce. If Ovechkin were a Toronto Maple Leaf (hey, we can dream), this book would be a national bestseller.
Readers of Wayne's World of Minor Hockey can order books by clicking the amazon.com ads.
Closed arenas should mean refund for parents
What happens when you pay thousands of dollars to a vendor for a service they can't deliver. Would you "suck it up" or expect a refund for services or products paid for but not provided?
That the question for thousands of minor hockey families in London, Ont., where 100 cm of snow and a strapped snow removal crew led to the closure of all city-owned and at least one privately owned arenas for two days. Arenas are scheduled to reopen tonight.
Lost have been all practice ice - costing parents about $150 an hour - and in peril are games. There is not enough free ice time available in the city to reschedule practices at any logical hour. Finding appropriate blocks of ice time to accommodate two lost days of games will be a hair-pulling task for minor hockey volunteers and city staff.
London owes its various minor hockey and figure skating clubs a full refund for closed arenas and lost ice. If our newly elected Mayor Joe Fontana is serious about running the city more like a business, he'll make sure this is done.
That the question for thousands of minor hockey families in London, Ont., where 100 cm of snow and a strapped snow removal crew led to the closure of all city-owned and at least one privately owned arenas for two days. Arenas are scheduled to reopen tonight.
Lost have been all practice ice - costing parents about $150 an hour - and in peril are games. There is not enough free ice time available in the city to reschedule practices at any logical hour. Finding appropriate blocks of ice time to accommodate two lost days of games will be a hair-pulling task for minor hockey volunteers and city staff.
London owes its various minor hockey and figure skating clubs a full refund for closed arenas and lost ice. If our newly elected Mayor Joe Fontana is serious about running the city more like a business, he'll make sure this is done.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
DJ Steve Porter eyes hockey
DJ Steve Porter, who did this video, is about to give his treatment to hockey.. Porter is taking his act to Hockey Night in Canada, starting on Saturday, Dec. 11, with a special opening to the Toronto Maple Leafs-Montreal Canadiens matchup (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 p.m. ET). Porter's certain to have some creative licence with Don Cherry.
Could be the best part of the game.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/11/19/sp-porter-hnic.html#ixzz17TVCGsky
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/11/19/sp-porter-hnic.html#ixzz17TVCGsky
Weather wimps or safety first?
In 10 years of minor hockey, I don't remember any games or involving games between two in-city teams being cancelled due to winter weather.
We're Canadians, We know how to drive in snow. And we like hockey.
Of course that's not to say there haven't been some dubious nights. I remember one game night crawling along to Oak Ridge arena just across the river and being grateful we were not making the big trek to Argyle in the far end of London.
Things are different this week thanks to a dumping of lake effect snow that's left 100 cm of snow here in two days.
There have not been blinding whiteouts in the city, but the huge snowfall has left my friend Ed and his fellow city snowplow operators unable to cope. They can only work 12 hours a day and have not yet made it around even once to residential streets like our cul-de-sac.
On Monday, our game against North London was cancelled when the city closed its arenas in a move that, to my recollection, was unprecedented. On Tuesday, they closed the arenas again, meaning there's no practice this week. It has already been announced that schools will be closed for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
One wonders if the reason for closing arenas is the weather or a redeployment of staff to cope with the snow. Or staff not making it into work. Or the fact the city hasn't plowed arena parking lots.
Whatever, it doesn't seem Canadian.
We're Canadians, We know how to drive in snow. And we like hockey.
Of course that's not to say there haven't been some dubious nights. I remember one game night crawling along to Oak Ridge arena just across the river and being grateful we were not making the big trek to Argyle in the far end of London.
Things are different this week thanks to a dumping of lake effect snow that's left 100 cm of snow here in two days.
There have not been blinding whiteouts in the city, but the huge snowfall has left my friend Ed and his fellow city snowplow operators unable to cope. They can only work 12 hours a day and have not yet made it around even once to residential streets like our cul-de-sac.
On Monday, our game against North London was cancelled when the city closed its arenas in a move that, to my recollection, was unprecedented. On Tuesday, they closed the arenas again, meaning there's no practice this week. It has already been announced that schools will be closed for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
One wonders if the reason for closing arenas is the weather or a redeployment of staff to cope with the snow. Or staff not making it into work. Or the fact the city hasn't plowed arena parking lots.
Whatever, it doesn't seem Canadian.
Bed bugs fears put end to teddy toss
Everyone's quite rightly on alert for bed bugs. When I go into a hotel room, the first thing I do is check the mattress for any tell-tale signs. When I get home, the laundry is done immediately and the luggage is left in the garage. Minor hockey families staying in hotels during tournaments might want to do likewise because once these little critters are in your home, they are tough to get rid of. It's a lice-like experience.
Now a hockey team has cancelled its teddy bear toss fundraiser due to a fear of spreading bed bugs, according to the National Post.
Just wait until university kids start returning home next spring. That's when Ontario's bed bug concerns could hit a new level.
Now a hockey team has cancelled its teddy bear toss fundraiser due to a fear of spreading bed bugs, according to the National Post.
Just wait until university kids start returning home next spring. That's when Ontario's bed bug concerns could hit a new level.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Not just hockey rough on kids
Minor hockey isn't the only rough and tumble activity for kids. Take walking the dog, for instance.
Stranger danger reminder
Here's a new worry for hockey parents. Never mind coaches who slip through the cracks or keeping an eye on little sibling roaming rinks. In Nova Scotia, there's a problem with authorized adults wandering into dressing rooms.
It prompted the local minor hockey president to issue an advisory which read, in part:
It prompted the local minor hockey president to issue an advisory which read, in part:
- Pay close attention to your children, know where they are at all times and ensure they are not left alone.
- In a non-threatening manner, challenge anyone who is inside a dressing room and doesn't belong there.
- Report anything you feel is "wrong" to arena staff immediately.
He added: "This is not to alarm anyone or suggest in any way that anything has 'happened,' merely some common sense reminders," according to Southshorenews.ca.
Awareness defeats predators.
Put racism on ice
There is no room for racism and slurs in minor hockey, but did we need Peterborough house league coach Greg Walsh to point it out?
While everyone appreciates the discussion Coach Walsh spurred when he and his players decided to quit a game after a racial slur hurled at one of his players, his action is troubling and a bad omen for minor hockey organizations.
While making a strong, effective statement about zero tolerance for racist, he also unwittingly showed kids how to thumb their noses at authority, rules and process - which is why Coach Walsh has been appropriately suspended.
Let's be clear. The minor hockey hierarchy is filled with smart people who have the bases covered. Let's also be clear that minor hockey organizations want to welcome all kids and all skill levels.
But teenagers, taught and emboldened by their parents and rogue coaches, will say things and do things in the heat of a game. F-bombs, gay jokes, animated and pointless advice to referees, and, yes, racial taunts are all part of the mix.
There are penalties and suspensions in the rule book to cover all scenarios.
Minor hockey can't have coaches inventing their own rules on the fly, including when to play or when not to play. The result would be chaos.
Without being there, it's hard to say how the situation could have been handled better.
Perhaps the best way would have been to follow the example of retired NHL referee Kerry Fraser when he mediated a situation between Theo Fleury and a player with the St. Louis Blues. The Blues player had taunted Fleury about cocaine and alcohol addictions. Fraser, as he recounts in his new book Final Call, provided on-ice counsel and arranged a face-to-face apology along the boards. Fleury appreciated it and the Blues player later called it a life, and attitude, changing moment.
Too bad the offending opposing player did not have the benefit of Fraser's wise advice.
Still, the player has now expressed regrets, as reported in the local Peterborough Examiner.
And for more on this topic, check out the letters published by the Toronto Star.
Maybe it's time we all bought a copy of the Willie O'Ree biography, the first black person to play in the NHL.
While everyone appreciates the discussion Coach Walsh spurred when he and his players decided to quit a game after a racial slur hurled at one of his players, his action is troubling and a bad omen for minor hockey organizations.
While making a strong, effective statement about zero tolerance for racist, he also unwittingly showed kids how to thumb their noses at authority, rules and process - which is why Coach Walsh has been appropriately suspended.
Let's be clear. The minor hockey hierarchy is filled with smart people who have the bases covered. Let's also be clear that minor hockey organizations want to welcome all kids and all skill levels.
But teenagers, taught and emboldened by their parents and rogue coaches, will say things and do things in the heat of a game. F-bombs, gay jokes, animated and pointless advice to referees, and, yes, racial taunts are all part of the mix.
There are penalties and suspensions in the rule book to cover all scenarios.
Minor hockey can't have coaches inventing their own rules on the fly, including when to play or when not to play. The result would be chaos.
Without being there, it's hard to say how the situation could have been handled better.
Perhaps the best way would have been to follow the example of retired NHL referee Kerry Fraser when he mediated a situation between Theo Fleury and a player with the St. Louis Blues. The Blues player had taunted Fleury about cocaine and alcohol addictions. Fraser, as he recounts in his new book Final Call, provided on-ice counsel and arranged a face-to-face apology along the boards. Fleury appreciated it and the Blues player later called it a life, and attitude, changing moment.
Too bad the offending opposing player did not have the benefit of Fraser's wise advice.
Still, the player has now expressed regrets, as reported in the local Peterborough Examiner.
And for more on this topic, check out the letters published by the Toronto Star.
Maybe it's time we all bought a copy of the Willie O'Ree biography, the first black person to play in the NHL.
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