I'm A Hockey Dad

Do you support Hockey Alberta’s ban on hitting in Peewee hockey?

Sat, 11 May 2013 09:54:47 -0400

Do you support Hockey Alberta’s ban on hitting in Peewee hockey?:

I just finished reading a post on this recent ruling and I’m firmly on the side of David’s opening line in that I’m conflicted about the level of “violence” in hockey. I think hitting, not fighting, is part of the game. I understand we need to protect our children, but I’m at a loss as to where to draw the line. I’ve mentioned here before that the Devil has had a mild concussion from hockey and she has never played a single game of “contact” hockey, while the Boy has played 13 seasons of concussion-free hockey, most of which included body-checking. Hockey is a fast game played on a hard, slick surface and with as many kids playing as there are across our country, there are bound to be accidents and injuries, with or without body contact. Where I live there are now options to play in contact or non-contact leagues and I believe this might be the more appropriate solution. The operative word here being “options”. David said if hitting remained in the game in Alberta that his family would have looked at pulling their youngest in Peewee and this is certainly the parents’ prerogative/choice. Those who truly want their kids to be safe in our “safety-obsessed culture” should not let their kids set foot on the ice, or the soccer pitch, or the football field or outside their front door for that matter. Friends of my kids have also had concussions and broken bones from snowboarding and basketball. Yes, hockey can and is played at a high level without contact and yes I agree there is a need to remove blatant hits and unnecessary fisticuffs from the game as neither are doing its violent reputation any favours. But I’m hard-pressed to say there is no room for any hitting based on my own small personal experience and sample size. And the debate will no doubt rage on.

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This is hockey….this is Canada….I wanna do...

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:53:00 -0400

This is hockey….this is Canada….I wanna do this.

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Evidence mounting to support end to body checking in minor hockey | Huron News NowHuron News Now

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:15:28 -0400

Evidence mounting to support end to body checking in minor hockey | Huron News NowHuron News Now:

Think of all the sports news shows highlighting fights in the professional leagues that glorify the hard hits, accidental and otherwise. There is a whole generation of young, keen players putting themselves in the skates of these pros.

Indeed the call for more non-contact hockey or at least starting at later ages is getting louder. This is just one of many articles I’ve seen to the same effect over the last couple of months. Having had a Boy go through 13 years of rep hockey, which included body contact, without sustaining a significant injury, including no concussions, I’m not sure exactly where I stand on this one yet. But I recognize that I and he may be the lucky ones. The Devil on the other hand has played non-contact and has sustained a minor concussion from an accidental collision. I know we should likely err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety and welfare of our kids, but how far do we go in changing the games they play to protect them? I do welcome any and all opinions as always.

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Moron: The Behind the Scenes Story of Minor Hockey

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:05:07 -0400

Moron: The Behind the Scenes Story of Minor Hockey:

Now there’s a bold little title for a hockey book, but I suppose deserved by some parents in light of a few recent less than stellar news stories.

Should kids specialize in one sport?

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:12:52 -0400

Should kids specialize in one sport?:

Another study promoting better rounded athletes not singularly focused sports cyborgs.

Hockey parents taught to play nice off the ice in nationwide programs

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:00:23 -0400

Hockey parents taught to play nice off the ice in nationwide programs:

New Brunswick hockey parents have been added to the list of those required to take mandatory “behave yourselves or else” courses in an effort to improve their spiralling image and that of the game we love….and starting next year they’re even going to have to pay for it. That oughta be popular…

Majority of Canadians want fighting banned in hockey according to a new survey

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:34:52 -0500

Majority of Canadians want fighting banned in hockey according to a new survey:

The staged stuff certainly has to go. Makes the NHL look like a tad like the WWE.

Wanted for NHL, all hockey: True athletes

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:28:02 -0500

Wanted for NHL, all hockey: True athletes:

Amen Coach Sutter. Kids should be directed to become well-rounded athletes and people; not hockey robots.

Referee assaulted after minor hockey game in Port Perry

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:12:03 -0500

Referee assaulted after minor hockey game in Port Perry:

Cmon man…one more idiot to tarnish the good hockey parent name. Seems like this stuff is popping up more and more lately - more societal than hockey-specific methinks.

Judge’s tough minor-hockey call requires our thanks

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:10:46 -0500

Judge’s tough minor-hockey call requires our thanks:

More needs to be done to protect rinks and players when game played by kids turns some people into idiots.

Well put and nuff said.

The Great Canadian Hockey Quiz

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:26:16 -0500

The Great Canadian Hockey Quiz:

See how many you get right…I went 10 for 15 and woulda done a little better had I stopped and thought about a couple of them.

Harper Does Hockey to Lighten Up and Prove He's Canadian

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:18:41 -0500

Harper Does Hockey to Lighten Up and Prove He's Canadian:

Don’t know if I should be mixing hockey and politics, but there is a lot of the latter in the former so why not.

Underwater Ice Hockey is Some Kinda Awesome via Strombo

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:36:00 -0500

Underwater Ice Hockey is Some Kinda Awesome via Strombo:

Once I learn how to SCUBA, I think I might look to organize Team Canada. Wait…whaddya mean no breathing apparatus allowed. These guys are nuts and now I really wanna try.

In minor hockey, stupid is as stupid does

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:09:55 -0500

In minor hockey, stupid is as stupid does:

Revisiting the underlying reason for a recent hockey parent tirade and the suggested need for many to learn the rules.

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Is Canada's Hockey Obsession Getting Out of Hand?

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:09:03 -0500

Is Canada's Hockey Obsession Getting Out of Hand?:

Lawrence Martin challenges the notion that Canada=Hockey and quite rightly methinks….though it does take up a fair chunk of my time.

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Hockey Night in Canada’s 60th Season feature...

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 00:49:10 -0500

Hockey Night in Canada’s 60th Season feature “Footsteps” narrated by Dave Bidini @hockeyesque is sure to give every cold-blooded Canadian hockey fan goosebumps. I certainly got a heavy dose of ‘em.

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Hockey and Its Unrelenting Grip on the Nation's Soul

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:30:52 -0500

Hockey and Its Unrelenting Grip on the Nation's Soul:

Roy MacGregor examines how ingrained the game is in the fabric of Canada; particularly in places like Winnipeg where fans (like yours truly) have had to anxiously wait for their beloved Jets return….again. At least this time it was only for five months, but that was five months too long if you ask me for my opinion on the state of hockey in Canada or elsewhere.

#hockeyneverleft
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Backyard Hockey Rink Timelapse Video

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:45:11 -0500

Backyard Hockey Rink Timelapse Video:

Talk about your labours of love. The Devil said she wanted me to build a rink in our backyard this Winter and I just couldn’t do be brought to building a 15’x15’ sheet of ice which would last for three months tops for a 15 and soon-to-be 18 year old who would go from end to end in a stride and a half……but now in looking at this, I feel a twinge of shame.

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We Canadians Still Luvs Us Some Hockey

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:16:16 -0500

We Canadians Still Luvs Us Some Hockey:

Times may change, but hockey is our constant.

“Hockey still quickens our collective pulse. It teaches us not to be afraid to go into the corners, and to take our lumps, because we always get up and we shake hands after the games because that is what Canadian hockey players — what Canadians — do.”

Hockey Puck Facts

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:41:27 -0500

Hockey Puck Facts:

I’ve almost accidentally eaten a puck a few times, but to date have not considered adding one to my diet. I think it would be a little rubbery, like overcooked squid.

And glowing pucks were a stupid idea no matter how ya sliced them…just sayin.

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