This is a letter I sent to help raise the voice of parents. We can make changes in youth ice hockey that will reduce harm.
Good Morning,
I want to take the time to thank the Huskies organization for taking our concerns and all parents’ concerns seriously. There is not another club I would choose over the Huskies to represent the safety concerns of our children and youth players.
That being said, there is only so much a single club can do alone. The Huskies have demonstrated through their coaches, volunteers, and club attitude that safety and respect is an expectation of their youth club players. We can proudly see that in our children and coaching staff. It can also be found on the Peewee Blue team. They have 2 large skilled players that play physically, fast, and with respect. They exemplify how a player with size advantage should carry themselves on the ice. They do not play to intimidate and bully, they play to compete and have fun. They are very successful players. I am sure their parents are proud.
I am writing this email and sending this out on my own accord. I would like to encourage you to look at our 36 game season thus far and ask yourself if you feel USA Hockey’s Zero Tolerance Policy is being enforced to the highest level by the CBHL. The CBHL is responsible for the safety of our children. Did you know the rules existed? I don’t believe it is being enforced. I would like you to think about plays you have witnessed that take hockey from the physical sport it is, into the realm of a reckless sport. Have you seen players recklessly hurt?
Do you feel, as I do, that the safety of the 98% of youth players on ice that play respectfully is taking 2nd seat to the 2% of youth players that play without respect, harm repeatedly, and show no remorse? I think those 2% of players, once given the opportunity to change, should be removed, if they still need to learn. They should not (this sounds funny) be given the opportunity to show they learned by hurting or not hurting other players, our children. A pattern is a pattern. One or two tries, then you lose your right to player with other kids. End of story.
I don’t understand why repeat offenders are allowed to continue to play. This is not an adult league - it is a youth league. Hockey is not a right - it is a privilege. They can try again next year. However, keeping them (the 2%) in the league is taking precedence over protecting the other 98%. This is my opinion. It is, however, accurate.
If you are not familiar with Zero Tolerance, please search - USA Hockey Zero Tolerance. You will find a power-point presentation (by USA Hockey) and a summary. It, in short, states a player arguing with a call or demonstrating dissatisfaction must be given a mandatory (100%) 2 minute unsportsmanlike penalty. Continued expression of dissatisfaction will lead to a 10 minute misconduct, and then a game misconduct.
I have spent the last 3 months identifying ways safety can be addressed in youth ice hockey. Some of you may know I have a blog and we have established a website. I learned that Zero Tolerance was created to deal with problematic players and behavior. It was actually designed to help protect referees. If enforced as written, I know players on our team would not have been harmed. I ask you to recall an instance of a player from any team getting additional penalties under the Zero Tolerance Policy of USA Hockey. The CBHL, by the way, has in their by-laws the full adoption of USA Hockey Rules.
I can only recall 1 or 2 instances over a 3 year span that a Zero Tolerance penalty was called. I can, however, recall dozens of instances where it should have been called. Don’t be swayed by the cop-out and systemic barrier of referee’s discretion. This is a youth league and solutions are simple.
The CBHL must make immediate changes, this season. They can institute a Zero Tolerance Referee that stands between the penalty boxes. That referee is solely responsible for overseeing player, parent, and bench behavior. It is quite simple. Very similar to yellow and reds cards in soccer, a player can earn their way to an ejection. The on ice referees can manage the game and the ZT referees can mange behavior and game safety. They both can issue penalties. It is not rocket science. It is simply a process of recognizing this is not the NHL but a youth league. Adapt the rules to fit the needs of maintaining the highest standards of safety. I give the CBHL this solution free of consulting fees. There is no need to drag out discussions in a committee. Just make the change. The yellow card empowers the referee to take the next step. The yellow card signals warning. It is seen by every player and parent. It will reduce injury.
If safety and harm concerns you, now is the time for all concerned parents to speak out more loudly then the hockey rhetoric that protects abusive players and abusive behavior. I can tell you this… Change will not happen if you don’t speak up now. The CBHL is looking into our concerns. That may or may not lead to change. Very often, those wanting change are pacified with “a committee to look into things.” Changes can be made this season to protect our children and reduce the risks of harm. I personally will not be accepting anything less, and will exercise all my rights to improve safety and reduce the risk of harm for all our children, youth players.
I am encouraging you to write a letter of concern and send it through the appropriate channels to the CBHL. Your letter will represent your child. If you have questions, please email me or approach me at practices and games. Silence is not golden, in this case. Assertive letters are not golden. They are more valuable than that. They are our children. I encourage you to forward this to all hockey parents on all clubs. This issue is not only ours. We all want the same things; improved safety, more accountability, and less harm.
Gary
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