There’s no place for fighting in youth hockey – and that should go for the parents watching, too.
However, a hockey game in Hamilton involving players who are seven and eight years old was put on ice after several adults and at least one coach became involved in a wild brawl.
The game was taking place at Gateway Ice Centre on Sunday as part of season-opening tournament for the Klevr Super League (KSL) — which is not sanctioned by Hockey Canada.
During the game between the Toronto Stars Black and the Northern Saints Gold, a video from the arena obtained by CBC shows two people yelling at each in an area behind the boards at one end of the rink, then moving toward each other and fighting.
Punches were thrown and at least seven other people got involved, both attacking each other and trying to separate others.
On the ice, the players continued to play, seemingly unaware of the brouhaha behind the boards until the referee stopped the game.
The young players were sent to their benches and watched as the people in the fight were separated.
In a statement to CBC, KSL co-founder Jamie Stone said “the KSL intends to take appropriate action, and has taken interim steps including suspensions.”
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kris Versteeg is a co-founder of the league as well but has not commented on the events of the weekend.
The league addressed the brawl in an Instagram post celebrating the tournament.
“We will not let the actions of a few overshadow the fun and spirit of KSL events,” the post read. “We have consistently communicated and enforced our expectations regarding parent and coach conduct and will continue to rigorously uphold these standards.
“Behaviour that violates our code of conduct will result in discipline, including permanently losing participation privileges in the KSL. There is no place in the KSL for violent or aggressive behavior by anyone.”
The Toronto Stars Hockey Club said in an email to CBC that the team is “aware of the situation and takes such matters seriously. We are further aware that the KSL is still in the process of investigating and actioning the situation, and we will not be providing additional comments at this time.”
Users on social media were quick to rip the adults for their poor behaviour while watching children play.
“I don’t get how you grow up, are able to afford to put your kid in hockey and are this stupid,” one user on reddit posted in reply to the video.
“Parent of the Year material right there, folks!” another posted.