Squirt A Coach Hits Kid on Bench

[hockey_is_a_choice]

During a Squirt A tournament in Northeastern Minnesota this weekend, a Squirt A coach cuffed a player in the head (the kid had his helmet on) during a game. The kid was apparently the coach's son and he started to cry after his dad hit him. (This was no love tap.) Now, as far as I am concerned, it should have been a no-brainer that the coach be rejected from the tournament by the tournament director. Several parents sitting in the stands saw the coach hit the kid and the incident was immediately reported to the tournament director, the president of the coach's association and the District Director.

Was the coach ejected from the tournament? Nope. He was on the bench for this morning's third place game. Apparently several folks didn't think it was a big deal because the coach "hit his own kid."

According to Article 14 of Minnesota Hockey's Articles, "It is the policy of MH that there shall be no physical abuse of any participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs. . . Physical abuse means physical conduct with a participant that intentionally causes the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. . ."

There is no parent coach exception to this policy. In other words, this policy applies uniformly to every coach, including parent coaches.

This type of violence has no place in youth athletics and I am disappointed that no action was taken against the coach who clearly violated Article 14 and the rules of civilized conduct.

[Educator29]

if this is the facts. Coach should be removed from ever being on the bench again. Banned from YOUTH SPORTS. Sad part is if this is like most associtaions people will leave it alone because they do not want to speak up or get involved. IT wasen't there kid. IF it was your Kid - How would you handle it??

[muckandgrind]

During a Squirt A tournament in Northeastern Minnesota this weekend, a Squirt A coach cuffed a player in the head (the kid had his helmet on) during a game. The kid was apparently the coach's son and he started to cry after his dad hit him. (This was no love tap.) Now, as far as I am concerned, it should have been a no-brainer that the coach be rejected from the tournament by the tournament director. Several parents sitting in the stands saw the coach hit the kid and the incident was immediately reported to the tournament director, the president of the coach's association and the District Director.

Was the coach ejected from the tournament? Nope. He was on the bench for this morning's third place game. Apparently several folks didn't think it was a big deal because the coach "hit his own kid."

According to Article 14 of Minnesota Hockey's Articles, "It is the policy of MH that there shall be no physical abuse of any participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs. . . Physical abuse means physical conduct with a participant that intentionally causes the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. . ."

There is no parent coach exception to this policy. In other words, this policy applies uniformly to every coach, including parent coaches.

This type of violence has no place in youth athletics and I am disappointed that no action was taken against the coach who clearly violated Article 14 and the rules of civilized conduct.

"H" or "NM"?

[hockey_is_a_choice]

H.

[hockey_is_a_choice]

H.

[blomhockey]

Are there rules about touching kids in youth hockey?
I watched a squirt practice last week before my kids game and saw a parent coach screaming at their team as they were carrying the puck from the goal line to the blue line, evidently not moving fast enough for him he twice ran down two different kids from behind and shoved them to the ice. The result was both kids didn't know what hit them and were sent flying about five feet, one actually hit the back of his on the ice. This whole episode was right in front of the head coach and two other parent coaches.

[puckboy]

the rules are called "common sense". Treat the players with respect.

[Educator29]

Again: any VERBAL abuse, physical ABUSE should cause for immediate removal of the coach. Screan=ming at kids is not motivating. How many School teacher are taught to use that method of teaching? MN hockey, Association Leaders Parents have to step up and remove these coaches for the safty of our kids. I like the last post: COMMON SENSE! Seems like we all lose it when it comes to this wonderful game of Hockey.

Squirts: 5th and 6th grade. as a parent what would you do if the school teacher did this? Stand up Take action.

[hockey_is_a_choice]

Minnesota Hockey By-law, Article 14 provides:

PHYSICAL ABUSE POLICY- It is the policy of MH that there shall be no physical abuse of any participant involved in any sanctioned programs in Training Camps, Hockey Clinics, Coaches Clinics, referee Clinics, Invitational and MH Playoff Tournaments or other MH events by any employee, volunteer or independent contractor. Physical abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse also includes physical contact with a participant that intentionally creates a threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury.

Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably designed to caoch, teach or demonstrate a hockey skill. Permitted physical conduct may include, but is not necessarily limited to, shooting pucks at a goal tender, demonstrating checking and other hockey skills, and communicating with or directing participants, during the course of the game or practice, by touching them in a non-threatening, non-sexual manner."

Likewise, the HAHA Contract With Parents of HAHA Youth Hockey Players, provides in pertinent part:

"Principle #3: No direct or indirect verbal or physical abuse directed toward any youth hockey players at games or practices, [/b]including your own children[b]."

I agree with Educator, someone needs to be an advocate for the coach's kid. MH, District 11 and HAHA: It is time to enforce your own policies and keep kids safe from physical violence while they are playing a sport that they should love, not fear.

[elliott70]

I will see what I can do.

[3GoonsWest]

Where is the line for pitchforks and torches? 1 person claims an alleged foul and the kid needs an advocate and people start spewing abuse policies? Obviously I wasn't there, but if the whole arena saw the incident and it was reported to the Tournament Director, President of the Coaches Assn., the District Director and nobody decided to tar and feather this cretin at center ice, hockey_is_a_choice may want to think about choosing something else. Area 51 and the Zapruder film have nothing on the northern Mn. squirt conspiracy. That said, if this guy is smacking his kid (or any other) around he shouldn't be coaching. Put him in the bleachers with the folks that always keep their emotions in check. Oh wait.

[inthestands]

This post could tie directly in with all the discussion related to State tourneys for squirts.

This level has some of the least experienced coaches, players and parents. Add a big season ending championship to the mix, and see the negative impact to the kids.

I've witnessed some of the worst behavior by coaches and parents at the squirt level. There should be some sort of initiation education forced on the incoming group for everyone involved at this age level.

More to the point of the thread, it's tough to come up with any decision making process since only one person saw what happened. Not that the information isn't valid, but different people see different things.

[muckandgrind]

This post could tie directly in with all the discussion related to State tourneys for squirts.

This level has some of the least experienced coaches, players and parents. Add a big season ending championship to the mix, and see the negative impact to the kids.

I've witnessed some of the worst behavior by coaches and parents at the squirt level. There should be some sort of initiation education forced on the incoming group for everyone involved at this age level.

More to the point of the thread, it's tough to come up with any decision making process since only one person saw what happened. Not that the information isn't valid, but different people see different things.

If the coach accused of doing this is who I think it is, you should know he is VERY experienced. In fact, I'm extremely suprised by the allegation...which is just what it is...an allegation. We don't know yet if there is any truth to this.

[elliott70]

This post could tie directly in with all the discussion related to State tourneys for squirts.

This level has some of the least experienced coaches, players and parents. Add a big season ending championship to the mix, and see the negative impact to the kids.

I've witnessed some of the worst behavior by coaches and parents at the squirt level. There should be some sort of initiation education forced on the incoming group for everyone involved at this age level.

More to the point of the thread, it's tough to come up with any decision making process since only one person saw what happened. Not that the information isn't valid, but different people see different things.

There is a program.

All incoming parents are supposed to go through it and then a reinforcement every year.

[elliott70]

This incident is being investigated by the association and the district and IS being handled properly.


If this happened in D16 I can assure everyone the coach would not be coaching for the remainder of the year and a minimum of one more year with additional consequences.

NO MATTER WHO HE/SHE IS.

Since this is a matter for the local assn and district I would advise against further speculation here or elsewhere.

Since I heard about this from other sources thenhere I am sure there is enough witnesses to verify that this indeed happened.


EVERYONE NEEDS TO REVIEW TEH HOCKEY EDUCATION MATERIAL EVERYYEAR. EVERYONE INCLUDING COACHES AND PARENTS.

[Educator29]

Amen !

[inthestands]

This post could tie directly in with all the discussion related to State tourneys for squirts.

This level has some of the least experienced coaches, players and parents. Add a big season ending championship to the mix, and see the negative impact to the kids.

I've witnessed some of the worst behavior by coaches and parents at the squirt level. There should be some sort of initiation education forced on the incoming group for everyone involved at this age level.

More to the point of the thread, it's tough to come up with any decision making process since only one person saw what happened. Not that the information isn't valid, but different people see different things.

There is a program.

All incoming parents are supposed to go through it and then a reinforcement every year.

Sorry about that Elliot, I understand there is something in place but we continue to see some of the worst behavior from that age and experience group..

That was part of my point tying the state tourney deal in with this thread.

[elliott70]

This post could tie directly in with all the discussion related to State tourneys for squirts.

This level has some of the least experienced coaches, players and parents. Add a big season ending championship to the mix, and see the negative impact to the kids.

I've witnessed some of the worst behavior by coaches and parents at the squirt level. There should be some sort of initiation education forced on the incoming group for everyone involved at this age level.

More to the point of the thread, it's tough to come up with any decision making process since only one person saw what happened. Not that the information isn't valid, but different people see different things.

There is a program.

All incoming parents are supposed to go through it and then a reinforcement every year.

Sorry about that Elliot, I understand there is something in place but we continue to see some of the worst behavior from that age and experience group..

That was part of my point tying the state tourney deal in with this thread.

Good point.

[dumbpuck]

The coach "cuffed" his own kid when he was wearing a helmet?

Wow!!! lets throw him in jail! Cmon folks like you have never "cuffed" your own kid?

What is the other side of the story? A "cuff" can be done in a funny gesture also- I am not saying it was- but I am saying none of us know and we all want to hang coach or dad! We don't know anything! Except it was his own dad!

Its too bad there isn't more discipline from coaches and teachers alike!

Hockey kids whether you like it or not have a cocky edge to them - they are expected to do it on the ice to their ten year old enemy on the other team. Everytime in front of the net after a shot they are suppose to shove the first kid closest to their goalie. They carry that attitude to school and to their parents.

Maybe coach dad told little Johnny to behave after he lipped off to him or verbally slammed a teamate- and dad simply cuffed him in the head and said "Shape up!"

Don't tell me he didnt have to get physical when he told his son this - you know as well as i do that sometimes that is what is needed to get their attention.

Just remember there is always another side of the story......

[cooper26]

The coach "cuffed" his own kid when he was wearing a helmet?

Wow!!! lets throw him in jail! Cmon folks like you have never "cuffed" your own kid?

What is the other side of the story? A "cuff" can be done in a funny gesture also- I am not saying it was- but I am saying none of us know and we all want to hang coach or dad! We don't know anything! Except it was his own dad!

Its too bad there isn't more discipline from coaches and teachers alike!

Hockey kids whether you like it or not have a cocky edge to them - they are expected to do it on the ice to their ten year old enemy on the other team. Everytime in front of the net after a shot they are suppose to shove the first kid closest to their goalie. They carry that attitude to school and to their parents.

Maybe coach dad told little Johnny to behave after he lipped off to him or verbally slammed a teamate- and dad simply cuffed him in the head and said "Shape up!"

Don't tell me he didnt have to get physical when he told his son this - you know as well as i do that sometimes that is what is needed to get their attention.

Just remember there is always another side of the story......

Oh, that's it! If he has a helmet on it's okay?! Sorry buddy, if you need physical intimidation to control your 10 year old, you are a mess, and chances are your kid is going to be one too.