There has been much discussion over the past weeks, months and year about the lack of respect that is being shown by players, coaches, parents / guardians, etc at several levels of hockey.
Much of this has focused on some of the hits that have occurred at the NHL, OHL and QMJHL. It certainly has led to the discussion of what is happening in hockey. Let me try and touch base on what I believe are the causes and also suggest possible solutions.
Causes:
1. Lack of respect by players towards the opposition.
There is what I refer to as an "escalation" of inappropriate behavior at all levels of hockey, most notably at the minor / youth levels, where we are seeing an increase in problems. We only have to look at the ages of which younger players are starting to play competitive and rep hockey; unfortunately at this age, winning can be reinforced as the goal. We even see players as young as 7 year involved in games where the score is being run up in a game. This is sometimes being reinforced by parents , coaches and even associations. And we wonder why we have a culture where "respect" for the opposition has dwindled.
2. Sense of Entitlement
With the growth of the game and the rising costs in both ice time and equipment, we now have an entire generation of children who because of "socio economic" factors, will not have an opportunity to play this great game.
As a result, we have many players who have been cultured in an environment where they can do no wrong; whatever obstacles are in the way towards their goal, they are encouraged to just roll over them. In some jurisdictions there is a growing trend where parents are now purchasing teams at both the minor hockey and junior level.
3. Ridiculous Salaries of NHL players.
When we look around the world and see and hear the economic and social situations that children face, it is hard to fathom someone getting so much to play the game of hockey. We now have a whole sector of the hockey economy that tells young people, and more importantly, their parents, that if they have the $, they can get closer towards their goal of being an NHL player.
As a result, we have seen the explosion of training opportunities, new equipment, off ice training, as well as professional consultants, coaches who can help you reach your goal.
In so many ways, this is bad advice. When you look at the statistics, it is evident that only 1-2 percent of players will ever have the opportunity to play at a professional level.
We would be far better off to invest in our children's education, while cultivating those core skills and attributes that hockey has to offer.
4. Coaching
It is no secret that a coach has a tremendous impact on the life of a hockey player. The coach who is expected to be a role model has great responsibility for helping to mold and shape those young persons whom have been entrusted in his / her care.
Unfortunately we have seen way too often, coaches who have taken a "hands off" approach in allowing and even reinforcing poor behavior. In some cases, coaches have been allowed to veer away from the values of the association in favour of a win at all cost.
This has been a poor example to young people who have learned that it is ok to not play by the rules, or not to treat everyone with respect and that winning really does take precedent over development.
Now, those are just a few of the reasons why we have witnessed an escalation in issues in hockey.
As important as this is, what are the solutions. Let me offer 3 that I feel will make an impact on all levels of hockey, and ones that are realistic.
1. Accountability
Whether it is coaches, players, managers, minor hockey Executives, officials, those who continue to bring disrespect to the game, need to be consequenced.
2. Education
We need all parents and all coaches to take part in mandatory education prior to the start of each season in regards the following topics:
A. Creating safe environments
B. Recognizing Abuse, Bullying and Harassment
C. Difference between Winning and Development
D. Reality of the Hockey Landscape- playing for the love of the game vs playing towards a career.
3. Philosophy
Minor hockey associations need to drastically overhaul and articulate their mission statements. If they are about serving the needs of the youth by instilling "core values", they need to take a long look at the value of some of the things they are doing like, travel teams, rep vs House league, coach mentoring, hitting, age at which formal competition begins, etc.
I never remember as a kid the issues that we now experience in minor hockey on a weekly basis. For me it does have a great deal to do with the overwhelming emphasis on games vs practices, winning vs development.
Unless we make some drastic changes, we will continue to see the escalation of issues at all levels of the game.
For the first time in Canada, parents are really beginning to question the value of hockey versus other activities in the overall development of their children.
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