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Wednesday, January 16 MY GAME!!! 
Recently the media has given a great deal of attention to a very tragic incident in the United States where two adults connected through hockey were involved in a physical altercation. The result of the physical contact between the two resulted in one person losing his life. Tragic!!!! As a result of this incident I am concerned that the public perception is Canadian minor hockey is extremely violent and out of control. My concerns are not unfounded. After doing two television and one radio interview and listening to the feedback, I wonder, “Does anyone really know My Game”? Do they know that in My Game, Players can skate over 15 – 20 miles an hour and shoot the puck over 110 miles an hour. They have to able to react to unpredictable changes in the play, propel and balance themselves on two steel blades only 1/8 of inch wide and go in all directions. The motor skill and energy level is one of the highest in any sport. Do they know that in My Game, the players have to be able to carry and maneuver the puck and receive and take passes from fellow team mates and at the same time work in concert with a unit of 16 - 17 people to try and score goals or prevent goals from being scored on their team. They also have to learn to be able to take body checks and give body checks within the rules of the game. Do they know that in “MY Game”, there are 110,000 hockey players, 230,000 parents, 15,000 coaches, 20,000 trainers, 20,000 referees and another 45,000 executives and volunteers. Do people know that on any one given night in Ontario that My Game has 2,300 hockey games being played? Do they know that this is over 250,000 games in one season? Do people know that before they participate in My Game that: ·All Associations must have By-Laws/Constitution and Manual of Operations with membership conduct guidelines to function. ·Everyone must abide by our Harassment and Abuse polices. ·Everyone must adhere to our Code of Conduct. ·Coaches have submit to certain steps of screening which includes a Police Record Check every 3-4 years. ·All Coaches have to attend a 12-hour Coach Level clinic on their own time and then re-certify every three years. ·All Coaches have to attend a 3 ½ hour Preventions Services clinic on Harassment and Abuse prior to December 31,2001. ·All teams must have a carded trainer on each team. ·All trainers have to attend a Level One clinic, which includes a module on Harassment and Abuse. ·All Referees must attend certification courses and re-certify every year. ·All Referees are supervised at least 3-4 times a year. ·Most of my players participate in our “STOP” program, which educates them on the dangers of checking form behind. ·All instructors and Executives in “My Game” have to submit to Police Record Checks. ·Most of the people in “MY Game” individually volunteer 100’s of hours each year with no pay. There are many more features to “My Game” all of which have been implemented to reduce or stop such a tragic incident, which took place last year. If “My Game” was out of control, based on 250,000 games being played and having 1% incident factor, we would need at least ten more of me. It’s not happening. So I question if the comparison to the instance in the Unites States is fair to us. I do have son who is still actively coaching minor hockey in the United States and he assures me that Canada is far more active in educating and prevention than our neighbors to the south. However I would never say that what happened in the Untied States can’t happen here. In “My Game”. It was obvious the laws of the land in the United States was not a deterrent to prevent what happened and it would be foolish to say our policies and procedures would prevent something in Canada. However I can say that in “My Game” we will continue to educate people in practicing a “Code of Conduct” which allows us to achieve and environment that all individuals are treated with respect. In “My Game” we want all participants to avoid behaviour, which brings our Association and the sport of HOCKEY into disrepute. I know there are literally thousands of dedicated volunteers in “My Game” who toil away trying to make the game of Ice Hockey the best it can be for everyone participating. My fear is that they will some how be labeled with negative criticism and lose their enthusiasm because of the media focus. Our statistics prove you are making a difference and that’s the story that will not be told. My comments to you are “Keep up the good work”. “My Game” needs you. I know there will always be room for improvement. I know there will incidents of inappropriate behaviour especially in light of having 500,000 participants. However we must keep striving to make “My Game” the best it can be regardless of circumstances. “My Game” needs everyone. Ben Craig C.E.T. Director of Prevention Services Ontario Minor Hockey Association 25 Brodie Drive, Unit 3, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3K6 |
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