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You really have to wonder about these school boards and what is so dire they have to take this up now. Why couldn't it have waited a month? I understand the Maple Grove situation needed immediate attention but this? A parent complains and the egos take over, the school board needs to be seen as though they're investigating Watergate and the parents pick a time most distracting to everyone else to make themselves feel powerful.

Parents need to really sit back and relax, if your Johnny Hockey isn't playing it's because 1-he isn't as good in the coaches eyes as the other kids 2-his practice effort (that you don't watch) is non-existent 3-the coach and him are on two different personality planes, in other words the coach just doesn't like him.

What does this parent expect the school board to do?

"coach are you mean to Johnny HOckey"

"no, here's my side...blah blah blah"

"oh, well Mrs Hockey were you aware that johnny did this and said that"

this is a LOSE LOSE situation...deal with it internally

There are far too many parents who sit in their basement thinking they are an expert because they just know little Johnny should get more playing time. And there is no mechanism in place for anyone to hold those parents accountable. Stay the course Coach Esse and do what you do.

Tenoverpar wrote:Parents need to really sit back and relax, if your Johnny Hockey isn't playing it's because 1-he isn't as good in the coaches eyes as the other kids 2-his practice effort (that you don't watch) is non-existent 3-the coach and him are on two different personality planes, in other words the coach just doesn't like him.

What does this parent expect the school board to do?

"coach are you mean to Johnny HOckey"

"no, here's my side...blah blah blah"

"oh, well Mrs Hockey were you aware that johnny did this and said that"

this is a LOSE LOSE situation...deal with it internally

Nice to see you covered the only possibilities in your 3 examples.

grandindian wrote:There are far too many parents who sit in their basement thinking they are an expert because they just know little Johnny should get more playing time. And there is no mechanism in place for anyone to hold those parents accountable. Stay the course Coach Esse and do what you do.

For what it is worth, this IS NOT about playing time at all.....far from it.

No wonder many good coaches get out. A guy has coached for many years and done a great job and a parent complains and the administration and school board won't stand behind him. It couldn't have been too bad if they let him continue to coach the rest of the year. I hope things work out for him.

clojacks1 wrote:

grandindian wrote:There are far too many parents who sit in their basement thinking they are an expert because they just know little Johnny should get more playing time. And there is no mechanism in place for anyone to hold those parents accountable. Stay the course Coach Esse and do what you do.

For what it is worth, this IS NOT about playing time at all.....far from it.

Really?? If it isn't...then what is it about?

Rocketwrister wrote:

clojacks1 wrote:

grandindian wrote:There are far too many parents who sit in their basement thinking they are an expert because they just know little Johnny should get more playing time. And there is no mechanism in place for anyone to hold those parents accountable. Stay the course Coach Esse and do what you do.

For what it is worth, this IS NOT about playing time at all.....far from it.

Really?? If it isn't...then what is it about?

From what I have heard, the player involved was probably one of the top 4 or 5 in ice time on the team. So, we'll see what the school board says after the evaluation.

I heard it has to do with the playing time of a goaltender...

clojacks1 wrote:

Rocketwrister wrote:

clojacks1 wrote: For what it is worth, this IS NOT about playing time at all.....far from it.

Really?? If it isn't...then what is it about?

From what I have heard, the player involved was probably one of the top 4 or 5 in ice time on the team. So, we'll see what the school board says after the evaluation.

If it has anything to do with playing time of anyone, position of anyone or anything on ice
then this is PLEASE BAN ME.

Coaches coach, school board sit in your office and don't worry about the game....
that's what summers are for.

Evaluate him.

If you are the parent and this has to do with 'hockey' you should be taken out back and shot....
or something reasonably related to it.

I second elliot70's commentary, atleast up until the "shot" part. Sorry about that clojacks1! Good luck to both teams tonight.

From what I have heard, the player involved was probably one of the top 4 or 5 in ice time on the team. So, we'll see what the school board says after the evaluation.

The underlined portion should disqualify comment..

The coaches are designated with the responsiblity of rating each player, position, where they fit or don't fit, and how much ice time they see.

Quite a selfish dispay of timing by the parents complaint.

elliott70 wrote:If it has anything to do with playing time of anyone, position of anyone or anything on ice
then this is PLEASE BAN ME.

Coaches coach, school board sit in your office and don't worry about the game....
that's what summers are for.

Evaluate him.

If you are the parent and this has to do with 'hockey' you should be taken out back and shot....
or something reasonably related to it.

Could not disagree more with Elliot's "establishment" rhetoric. This is EXACTLY what is wrong with Minnesota Hockey.

I am currently reffing lots of Bantam AA/A & B1 games as they bring their seasons to a close and I couldn't be more appalled at the coaching than I am. These coaches think they are competing for a Stanley Cup, routinely sitting their 3rd and 4th lines and riding a handful of kids to the "promised land".

It's not only pathetic, it goes against everything USA Hockey teaches youth coaches to do.

It made me sick to my stomache last month when I ref'd a Squirt C Tournament and watched these "coaches" shorten the bench. The way it should have been shortened, is they should have been asked to leave and get out of the way of fun and sportsmanship.

This is the culture of Minnesota Hockey and culminates in the ultimate short-bench at the high school hockey level. It's pathetic.

Most don't agree with the actions of the Farmington goalie, but many do empathize with him, as many have experienced first hand, Minnesota's Napoleanic coaches.

One day some of these kids will have agents and contracts but until then all they have is mom and dad. Any time the pursuit involves minors, mom and dad are part of the package - that's reality and that's the way it should be. We should be very very nervous of adults who want mom and dad out of their minor child's business.

Coaches these days are out of control and think they are bigger than the game, bigger than the law. They need to be kept in check and parents are the unfortunate bearers of that burden. The only real system of checks and balances that we have, as associations, schools are unwilling to hold coaches accountable.

Parents need our support not our disdain - ESPECIALLY from administrators.

Parents are responsible for holding those in charge of kids accountabe - wether it be teachers, clergy, politicians - and yes, even and maybe especially - coaches.

The game is all about the kids and too many coaches have lost track of that reality and think the game is all about them. It's not. It is a privellage to coach the kids - not a right.

If you cant stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.

I am currently reffing lots of Bantam AA/A & B1 games as they bring their seasons to a close and I couldn't be more appalled at the coaching than I am. These coaches think they are competing for a Stanley Cup, routinely sitting their 3rd and 4th lines and riding a handful of kids to the "promised land

This thread is talking about high school coaching, which is significantly different from youth hockey.

Youth hockey, and playing time supposedly aren't part of this scenario.

It is part of the scenario because its part of the overall culture.

If its okay to shorten the bench at squirt, then why not peewee?

If its ok at peewee then why not bantam?

If its ok at bantam, then why not high school?

By the time you get to high school you have been conditioned that its OK and that coaches shouldn't be questioned and that you should shut up and accept your lot.

That's a crock! - DONT DRINK THE KOOL AID!

Parents, if you have an issue bring it up. If you are discouraged from bringing it up, then go to the next level up.

Bullies thrive when victoms are quiet and we have seen coaches in this light very recently and all too often lately. NEVER be quiet when you know something is wrong. There is a standard that needs to be met.

CLARIFICATION: I am not speaking specifically to the Esse situation. I know NOTHING about it. I am simply responding to the sentment that parents should stay out of it.

If you are the parent and this has to do with 'hockey' you should be taken out back and shot....

That's a crock. If you think you have an issue, don't let anyone discourage yu from bringing it up. High School coaches ARE NOT off-limits

My PW aged kid once told me that "what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room"

Why?

D3Referee wrote:It is part of the scenario because its part of the overall culture.

If its okay to shorten the bench at squirt, then why not peewee?

If its ok at peewee then why not bantam?

If its ok at bantam, then why not high school?

By the time you get to high school you have been conditioned that its OK and that coaches shouldn't be questioned and that you should shut up and accept your lot.

That's a crock! - DONT DRINK THE KOOL AID!

Parents, if you have an issue bring it up. If you are discouraged from bringing it up, then go to the next level up.

Bullies thrive when victoms are quiet and we have seen coaches in this light very recently and all too often lately. NEVER be quiet when you know something is wrong. There is a standard that needs to be met.

CLARIFICATION: I am not speaking specifically to the Esse situation. I know NOTHING about it. I am simply responding to the sentment that parents should stay out of it.

If you are the parent and this has to do with 'hockey' you should be taken out back and shot....

That's a crock. If you think you have an issue, don't let anyone discourage yu from bringing it up. High School coaches ARE NOT off-limits

Apply for a coaching position instead of refeeing?

bestpopcorn wrote:My PW aged kid once told me that "what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room"

Why?

Mine did to. And when I found out (eventually) what was going on in the locker room, I flipped a cog on our "coach" and lobbied (successfully) to get him replaced. The kids got a good coach after that, (who is still there), and no "secrets" from mom and dad.

mulefarm wrote:Apply for a coaching position instead of refeeing?

I did both coming up through our association. Sat on the board as well.

But I don't think mom and dad need to be certified coaches by USA Hockey to have a say in their association/high school. All they need be is parents and fulfill their parental duty to look out for their childs best interests.

You would need a serious agenda, or have something significant to hide to ask that parents give up that right.

You would need a serious agenda,

You mean like getting rid of a coach you don't agree with?

My son had a coach that came in with a mandate from the AD to bring some discipline to the team. He was firm and fair. My kid always knew to jump when the coach said jump, never had a problem.

The loose cannons and their parents HATED him. They kind of liked the guy prior to him...

The AD and school board have to figure out who the lunatics are.

inthestands wrote:You would need a serious agenda,

You mean like getting rid of a coach you don't agree with?

Like all jobs in life, Coaches are replaced all the time. I would think the ones who everyone agrees with have an easier time holding down their jobs than those who most don't agree with

inthestands wrote:You would need a serious agenda,

You mean like getting rid of a coach you don't agree with?

Amen brother...and I get your sarcasm!

I just love when someone trots out how life in squirts should be that way in highschool varsity. Get real.