This is just another example of the media blowing up a story that wasnt even that bad. This wasnt a fight or a brawl. Some 8 years olds pushed each other a few times. No worse then what I see in the halls of the school I work in all day. Whoever wrote this article needs to spend some time in an elementary school. People were not swinging sticks or helmets and throwing punched. Two kids were mad at each other and everyone was standing around watching. Stories like this make me realize that the thing that is slowly destroying our world and country is the media.
Any time a coach spits in another coaches face it IS that bad, but it's especially bad at the mite level. (8 to 10 year olds) As an ice hockey ref, you wouldn't believe some of the crap coming out of mite level coaches directed not only at their young players, but also at young referees who also use this level for learning. The mite level is suppose to help develop the love of the game for young players. A screaming adult behind the bench can only be a negative for children who at that age don't even know where to line up on face offs. The organizations that handle policing hockey in North America need to set a zero tolerance policy at this level. One incident and your done in coaching for good.
Coached hockey for many years and there is guilt at all party levels, coaches , players, parents and referees and management. I agree on the filtering of the coaches and strict punishment(permanent suspension) should result. This should also carry over to the referees/management of a facilty. Seen a group of referees in combination with management ruin hockey for many players, parents and coaches alike. They have controlled games and their outcome, calling phantom penalties and choosing to ignore others. Hits from behind should bring an immediate suspension to the 18 and under groups. I have seen many intent to injure incidents net 2 minutes and other blatant acts go unpunished. The saddest part is that the kids want to play but the volunteer parents of the past don't want to deal with the refs/management so there is no coach and the rules say they must have one. We need a good system, please.
That's old time hockey. Put your fucking stick in 'em. Let 'em know you're there. I read about this. No one hurt? Well, cancel my run to the bomb shelter... For now.
I worked at an ice hockey facility for about two years. I'll bet I had to "ask" a parent to "please" leave the building 2 times a week or more. Or twice a day during tourneys. I agree with frazer, the word "brawl" was misleading as it applies to this article. And to echo MGDADDYO: I think the coaches set the tone for the teams, regardless of age, and if the coach can keep his cool, then his players will probably follow suit. If the coach flips out, then, guess what the players might do.
