safehockey.com - Coaches and parents

Statement from Bill Deckler

I have been involved in hockey for over 30 years, as a player, coach, instructor, and administrator. Hockey is, for me, the best game on the planet. However, its present direction will take it right over the cliff.

INTRODUCTION

Through most of my professional career, I have been involved in troubleshooting everything from computer programs to industrial process control systems. This does not make me an expert, but it does mean that I learned a few things. One of the things I discovered was that if one does not locate the exact source and apply the correct solution, the problem will not go away and probably will multiply. If one asks "Why?" enough times, the source will be found.

SAFE HOCKEY

No amount of equipment, rules, or threats will change the game. The player's attitude and viewpoint determine how the game will be played. I have played hockey where we only had sticks, gloves and skates, without so much as a shin hit by a stick. This was due to the players really knowing and understanding the game and using discretion.

The advances in hockey equipment are great. The older gear was heavy and not all that protective. This is a real plus.

The rules are there. They were put in place (probably after the fact) to prevent injury and keep the game flowing. They have to be applied if they are to work. Some of the best games I have played or coached were when the ref called everything he saw and controlled the game. If the ref does not call penalties, the players will, and that can get pretty ugly. Granted, the ref doesn't see every infraction, but if he is trying and has the intention that it be a good game, the players understand and will go along with him. Then everyone wins, no matter what the score.

Attitude and viewpoint are determined by the coaches and hockey associations. One of the main concepts that must change is the "How you play the game is unimportant — winning at any cost is all there is". Part of the definition of a game is that one can win or lose. The "have to" on winning makes it no longer a game. While on this subject, if two teams play to their maximum ability and be worthy opponents, does the score really matter that much? Playing the game is important. Another thing taken to an extreme: if you injure everyone on the other team you have ended the game, as a game requires opponents. I once had a professional hockey player tell me that the fun went out of the game when he turned pro. It became a job with incredible pressure applied.

To make hockey safer:

1. Ensure that players wear safe equipment, in good repair.

2. Apply the rules of the game. Refs must understand their purpose and their responsibilities.

3. Coaches, instructors, and organizations must understand the game and its purpose and make sure the players understand and can apply the principles and purpose of the game. They must not tolerate anything less. One way to help this is to teach hockey skills. The more skill players have, the more fun and the fewer cheap shots.

4. Sportsmanship must be understood and applied.

5. Ideally, everyone involved with hockey should assume responsibility for how the game is conducted.

I have coached many hockey teams in the 5 to 13 year range and adults. I've never had a player injured. One reason is that I made sure that every player was in excellent physical condition. They hated the first few sessions of the season because I really worked them to the maximum, but it paid off later. Another reason was that I would only coach for associations that promoted safe play and would not tolerate any nonsense. I have been known to pull my team off the ice and go home, when the opposing team played dirty hockey and there was a good possibility that one of my players would be hurt. Another reason is that I was just pretty lucky.

FACIAL INJURIES

This goes back to the 1970s and started with the 5- and 6-year-old group. As far as I know, based on what I see, it is still being done. The problem was that the little guys did not have enough strength to hold and operate a stick with one hand. Someone came up with the idea: hold the stick with both hands — all the time. Well, if you do this, the normal skating motion brings the stick above your shoulder. Try it.

I was taught by a Canadian hockey coach to keep one hand on the stick and the stick blade on the ice. The only exceptions are when one is passing, receiving a pass, or approaching an opposing player. This was the case prior to the helmet rule. Another rule of thumb was to shoot low. The chance of scoring was better and the risk of hitting someone in the face was lessened.

Another action was to go back to one hand on the stick and get the stick out of the way before checking another player. This kept the stick down and away from anyone's face. It also kept one from getting a cross checking penalty (back when crosschecking was frowned upon).

We also had an unwritten rule that you never allowed your stick above your waist except on a slap shot.

THE NHL

While the incident with Todd Bertuzzi should not have happened, something similar or worse will happen again. The NHL applied a "non solution" and ignored the problem(s). In all fairness, they did what any other organization would do — they levied a fine. This idea, which pervades our entire society, actually came from Norway around the time of the Vikings. In that society, one could do anything if they could afford the fine. One could even assassinate the king if they had enough money for the fine. This idea somehow persisted and found its way into most cultures. The only problem with it is that it doesn't work. This is not to say that Todd was right. No, that action was as wrong as one could get. But fines do not correct the problem nor prevent it from happening again.

What about the NHL officials and their allowing violence to continue? What about refs that do not call infractions nor control the game? What about the media, which emphasizes violence? I will not even comment on the Vancouver organization.

The only "message" that the NHL sent was that they would do nothing to correct the problem. Of course, if you don't perceive a problem, there is no need to correct it. Somewhere, someone got the idea that violence sells hockey and that idea is still there in present time. It may have been true around 1950 and 1960, but it is not true today. Fans way back didn't understand the game, but they could understand fighting. Today, thousands of fans have kids that play, and now understand the game. It is a different market now. Since the incident in Vancouver, I have made it a point to ask everyone I meet, what they think of hockey. The exact question is: "What is your viewpoint on ice hockey?" Nine out of 10 indicated they didn't follow or watch it because it was too violent. I'm still asking the question, but I don't think the percentage will change much.

As mentioned before, attitude and viewpoint must change. There is a bottom line, here. If something is not done to make professional hockey valuable, it will cease to exist. There is already a financial problem.

Of course, part of the problem is the worship of the great green god — money. What many people fail to realize is that money is an effect, not a cause. Money is exchanged for the production of a needed and wanted product. The NHL could conduct an impartial survey to find out what people really need and want.

The NHL is the Holy Grail for many young hockey players. It must be worthy of this. I have found that many young kids can hardly stand up on skates, but they know how to trip, hook, etc. Not OK. Professionals in the public eye have a responsibility to set the example, especially for children, because they emulate the pros.

FIGHTNG, CHEAP SHOTS AND INJURIES

Granted, fighting has always been a part of hockey. It generally happened when two players "got under each other's skin" or one player took a cheap shot. It was spontaneous and sort of just happened. Today, it is a pre-meditated action, and seems to occur just because X number of fights are required for each game. It rarely amounts to nothing more than interfering with the game.

I believe that cheap shots are the real culprit. Hitting someone from behind, driving them into the boards headfirst would be my idea of a cheap shot. Generally, I would define a "cheap shot" as any action against another player, which has a good possibility of causing injury.

One way to handle this is for the refs to call game and match misconduct penalties for a cheap shot.

No, I'm not advocating the NHL go to no checking. Checking is part of the game and no player objects to a clean check. But there is no place for cheap shots in hockey.

Bill Deckler

On body checking at a young age

Code of conduct?

July 29, 2002

To concerned hockey organizations, officials, coaches and parents:

Yesterday, during a hockey tournament, my son received a fractured left femur that went through the growth plate. Such an injury can cause the leg to not develop properly as he grows, and can potentially destroy his future athletic activities and opportunities.

The tragedy is that the injury occurred in the last two minutes of a decided 1-6 game. The game was out of control and players were looking for opportunities to fight and injure. My son was sandwiched by two players traveling at full speed, at center ice, with no attempt to gain control the puck. Had such an attack occurred off the ice, the perpetrators would have been arrested on battery charges. No penalty was called.

Ironically, earlier in the day, my son signed a team “code of conduct” for the upcoming season that included a statement that the “coaching staff will not allow fighting or penalties that intend to injure another player.” My son is no angel on the ice and has received penalty time for slashing, cross-checking, checking from behind, tripping, misconduct, and other infractions. As both a parent and assistant coach, I have tried to control his aggressiveness and inappropriate behavior through strong discussion, additional bench time, and parent imposed game suspensions.

It is extremely unfortunate that it takes a serious injury like this to serve as a wake-up call for stronger enforcement of USA Hockey’s Zero Tolerance Policy. Exchanges of words and profanities can quickly escalate to on ice behaviors that do not reflect USA Hockey’s philosophy of promoting the enjoyment, educational and recreational values of ice hockey. Hockey organizations, coaches, officials and parents have a tremendous responsibility to protect the health and well-being of our children.

Attached is a list of action steps that hockey clubs and ice rinks should implement to promote hockey safety. I encourage coaches and parents to demonstrate and promote good sportsmanship and self-control. Recognize and discipline players who become out of control, even if it means losing a game or reducing a goal differential. Officials must adhere to strict enforcement of the rules designed to protect our children. If we do not accept this responsibility, what value is there in playing the sport?

E. Seth Wilson
Parent and assistant coach

Action Steps to Promote Hockey Safety

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF FORT MCMURRAY MINOR HOCKEY

More and more these days I have concerns about the level of senseless violence and the lack of respect for fellow players that I see on the ice in minor hockey. Because of this I will be talking to minor hockey players at times during the season.

However, at minor hockey we only have your kids for a few hours a week. You, the parents, have them for the majority of the time. I would ask that you all take the time to read this letter and communicate to your kids that hockey is a game of skill; of passing, shooting, teamwork, stick handling, goaltending and not a game of violence.

In October of 1999 Aaron Moser was in our city and spoke to many minor hockey kids about an on ice incident that left him paralyzed. Although his was not a particularly violent episode it shows what can happen in our game. He may pay us another visit and we hope to get more kids to see him and hear his story. Let's not waste his message. Let's not have the tragedy of an Aaron Moser in Fort McMurray.

This year we have put STOP SIGNS on the back of our sweaters, a message to stop before a hit on someone from behind. This is only part of the job. We need your help to teach your kids not to turn their backs when they see they are going to get hit. It may be a natural reaction but it puts the person about to be hit in a very vulnerable position, where the chance of injury is even higher than if they absorb the hit the proper way. If they need more help in learning this, have them ask their coach for help.

A hockey stick is intended for the purpose of passing, shooting and handling a puck. All other actions such as slashing, hooking, and spearing or cross checking are senseless and cowardly acts. Players who repeatedly commit these acts will face suspensions. If the suspensions do not get the message across, more serious suspensions or possible loss of minor hockey membership could result.

At the Bantam level this year I have observed several things that I feel require comment. My view has been reinforced by the observations of the Bantam convener.

There is no place in minor hockey for fighting. In our association it is a suspendable infraction. Repeat offenders have their suspensions doubled on the second offense and if a third were to happen a meeting would be held to find out why the player is not getting the message and whether their season should continue.

Body checking is part of hockey, at the PeeWee level and up, but it has to be for the purpose of gaining control of the puck. It should not be the only thing a player is on the ice for, and it should not be with the intent of punishing or hurting another player. Also once the hit has been given, a player should play the puck or move back to their position. Too often I see a player stand and challenge another after he has given them a hit. This only leads to retaliation or fights. If a player is the recipient of a clean hit, get up and get back in the game, don't hack someone across the leg.

My last comments are this. BIG GUYS HIT BIG GUYS; BIG GUYS DON'T HIT LITTLE GUYS. When it is obvious that the player about to be hit is smaller or much less skilled, do not hammer them. Angle them off the puck and skate them out of room. Show some respect for your opponents and remember what injuries can happen on the ice. Some injuries don't heal and can change a life forever.

Hitting From Behind

On a recent weekend we had "4" incidents where players were penalized for hitting from behind. Please encourage your kids not to:

Parents: Don't vocally taunt referees when these calls are made.

Please support us in trying to protect your kids. If you see your child get away with one of these hits or see him turning to draw a penalty or avoid a hit, talk to him and let him know the danger.

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