The hockey world is an extremely competitive one – and this week, we saw the ugly underbelly of over-the-top minor hockey nonsense when a game featuring seven-and-eight-year-olds was marred by an off-ice fight in the stands between parents and at least one coach.
The brawl – which took place Sunday in Hamilton, Ont. – broke out in a game sanctioned by the fledgling Klevr Super League. The fight initially wasn’t noticed by the players, until the on-ice official whistled down play and ordered each team to their respective bench. No charges were filed with local police, but for the Klevr league, the incident was a bad mark and cause for more scrutiny and repercussions for everyone involved in the fight.
Most people who’ve participated in amateur hockey for children know how overzealous some parents can be, and that’s why any league that is responsible and progressive needs to make a statement with lengthy bans for those found culpable in brouhahas like this one. Parents don’t have the right to allow their emotions to get the best of them, and the privilege of watching your kids play a game should be revoked for those who can’t control themselves and behave like rational adults.
The Klevr Super League did release a statement on Instagram condemning what took place at the Hamilton rink, stating that, “(The league) will not let the actions of a few overshadow the fun and spirit of KSL events. We have consistently communicated and enforced our expectations regarding parent and coach conduct and will continue to rigorously uphold these standards. Behavior that violates our code of conduct will result in discipline, including permanently losing participation privileges in the KSL. There is no place in the KSL for violent or aggressive behavior by anyone.”
That sounds appropriately serious for the league, which, like every hockey organization, needs to go to every length to provide a safe and welcoming environment for players, officials, coaches, families and fans. Those who broke that trust and decided to go full-blown vigilante should face significant consequences, and we’d argue that any additional violent outbursts from those involved in this case ought to be permanently banned from attending games in the future.
You’re allowed to be a passionate hockey fan. You’re allowed to want the best for your kids on and off the ice. You’re not allowed to take matters into your own hands and throw fists to satisfy your own ego. And those who don’t understand those guidelines need a harsh reminder before they overreact again and lose the privilege of seeing their kids play.
It doesn’t matter what league you’re in – the NHL, AHL, CHL or amateur leagues around the country and world – you can’t do what those parents and coaches did on Sunday. It’s a dereliction of your duties as a civil human being to allow your emotions to boil over, and you should have a high cost to pay if you break the boundaries we all agree should be set out for all hockey games and sports events.
We’ll wait and see what the KSL does to follow up on this incident in Hamilton because if they don’t do enough to dissuade parents and coaches from choosing to do something similar, it’s all but guaranteed to happen again and again. There’s no room in the sport for this crud, and that message must be underscored with punitive discipline.
Leave the high-strung aggressiveness at home, or face the consequences. It’s really that simple.
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News Summary:
- Opinion: Minor Hockey Brawl Should Be Met With Major Consequences For All Involved
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