The president of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) says reports around parent behaviour on the weekend have no place in the game.
Steve Lawrence says reported incidents include a parent making a throat slash gesture toward an on-ice official, parents yelling inappropriate and abusive comments at opposing players and a hockey dad appearing on video instructing players to intentionally injure another player.
He says these ‘deliberate’ actions need to stop immediately,
“These are not isolated lapses in judgment,” writes Lawrence. “These are deliberate actions that undermine everything we stand for in minor hockey. They create unsafe environments for our children, drive away Officials we desperately need, and poison the culture of respect and sportsmanship that should define our game.”
There aren’t any specifics on where the incidents took place.
Lawrence says the league is taking appropriate steps to address what he calls the ‘serious matters’, which can and will include permanent removal from arenas.
The letter also touches on hotel-related complaints regarding lack of supervision of children and non-compliance with both NOHA rules and hotel policies.
