To the Editor: Prep hockey behavior upsets parent
Written by Michael Martinez   
Thursday, 20 December 2012 11:18
I had the privilege this past November to attend my nephew's high school hockey team play at BGSU.
I realize hockey can be a very physical and aggressive game. However, I was very disappointed with the outright bad behavior of so many of the players. I watched in amazement, players who would watch the referees and when they were sure they wouldn't be seen slam their hockey sticks across the back of the opposing team players. Tripping, slamming players into the wall of opposing team players was the norm for a small percentage of players.
My biggest complaint would have to be the coaches. If I could see the same players in a game playing dirty throughout the game, there is no reason an experienced coach could possibly miss this behavior. The parents need to hold these coaches accountable.
These kids need to be pulled from the game, reprimanded for unsportsmanship behavior, and if they can't control their aggression; be given time off the team to think about it.
All this talk about kids being uncontrollable, disrespectful and aggressive is only being reinforced by these coaches who you entrust your kids to. Eastwood High School is my alma mater and I hate to admit it was the worst offender I saw.
Come on coaches, these are not professional players you're dealing with; your true job is to teach your players good sportsmanship and fair play. After all isn't this we all want our kids to grow up to believe in?
Michael Martinez
Kent, Wash.
 

Comments  

 
# 2012-12-20 13:09
Welcome to the world of Sports! From grade school on..coaches over react..good players get pampered..and "Sportsmanship" is just a word. Fans are just as bad...drunk, screaming,loudm ouths who have no life beyond a GAME..and overpayed, arrogant jocks..have ruined whatever interest i had in Sports.
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# 2012-12-21 22:37
Unfortunately team sports often encourages boys to be more aggressive and this spills over into the rest of their lives. I am not sure physical contact sports are of value, over all. Non-contact sports might be a better alternative for our public schools.
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# 2012-12-22 01:45
Being someone working in the field of athletics for 33 years now, attending practices daily, I don't see Coaches who actually teach negative acts or behaviors to athletes. Athletics is about postive, disciplined behavior. Granted, some athletes individually do not always exhibit good sportsmanship. I must say though that I have known the Eastwood Coach for years and he grew up playing the game, respecting the game and he would never teach incorrect skills to his players. Hockey is a unique sport and the physical contact of checking into the boards is an integral part of the game. Clutching, grabbing and stickhandling are all parts of the game. The Eastwood Coach is a person who loves hockey and would never disrespect it by teaching improper rules. He puts many hours of instruction into teaching the game properly, a postive for Eastwood.
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# 2012-12-22 13:41
I don't think there is a sport that is not a contact sport. I have 4 children and we have been involved with many sports such as basketball, cheerleading, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse and hockey just to name a few and there is some type of contact in all of these sports! Very well said Michael Messaros. We have been a part of the Eagles Club Hockey team for a few years with 2 boys that play and I can say that the Eagles Hockey Club has an Outstanding coaching staff! I would not want to change anything about the way they perform their duties! These coaches teach respect and the true meaning of a team!We have a Great group of boys on the team past & present and We as an Eagles Hockey family are very proud of the coaches and team. GO EAGLES!!
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