Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association is investigating following an incident at a game on Sunday March 6th.
The incident took place at the Servus Sports Centre at a minor hockey playoff game. LMHA in a release is expressing its disappointment with what transpired. They note that players, coaches and parents of both teams supported the young officials on the ice.
Hockey parent and coach Jim Taylor is sharing his thoughts as he looked at the video on social media of someone who seemed unhappy with events at the playoff game.
“It looks like he took it out on the officials. I can’t see exactly who he is yelling at or what the comments are, but he definitely looks quite upset and is yelling at the ice surface. I’m assuming that’s towards the referees.”
Taylor has two kids involved in minor sports locally and has coached for about 5 years. He points out that parents and anyone who wants to volunteer in any way must take the Respect In Sport online course.
“Minor Hockey Canada and Alberta require us every few years to update and take Respect In Sport, not only for the kids playing the sport, but for the parents that are encouraging our kids to play. And then for coaches and parents that want to help out. So Respect In Sport is highly promoted by Lloydminster Minor Hockey.”
The Respect In Sport website indicates that the certification is valid for up to four seasons with a May 1st expiry date.
Taylor says everyone needs to remember that this is about the kids and even when emotions run high in sports to manage those feelings to prevent it from escalating.
“Also as parents, we help each other. We should be helping each other and trying to diffuse that situation before it gets to that. Work together and try not to get to that level where we are yelling at each other or at the referees that are on the ice.”
Another hockey parent, Brittany Prevost who has two kids in local hockey has done the Respect In Sport course on two occasions. She sees the course which the young players also have to take, as covering these incidents.
“It’s very comprehensive. It talks about the psychology of your kids being in sport and the psychology of incidents like this happening. The psychology of that with kids, both on the ice and off the ice; and other areas of their life, what that can do to them. They do talk about de-escalating yourself, so as to not cause incidents.”
The Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association investigation is ongoing and their release indicates that no further comment will be made at this time.