Hockey Mahem

I have three kids, two boys, one girl; they all played hockey and other organized sports. However, hockey has always been the most violent sport they ever played, and they often came home with cuts and bruises. I was a hockey mom, spent all my weekends in one arena or an other, we traveled all over the province for tournaments, and both my boys are still playing.

In his teenage years, my oldest son got so badly injured that the doctor said that if he received an other blow like the one that nearly paralyzed him he might never walk again. Later on during try outs he fell and someone skated on his hand cutting it wide open; again he needed medical attention, and did not make the Triple A Junior league that year. Consequently, he decided to quit hockey because he thought his health was more important than the game since he wasn't going to make it as a pro.

A few years later, both my sons got together and started a team within a garage league. Most players are in their late twenties and have full time jobs, they love the game and still want to play. However, there is always one guy that forgets that this is for fun and uses the ice to unleash his frustrations, usually using unnecessary violence.

A few days ago, Shawn got hit from behind in the last three minutes of the game resulting in a very serious knee injury, he left the game in an ambulance while the player who hit him ran away to the changing room and left without even an apology. Shawn's knee was so swollen they couldn't tell how bad the injury was, fortunately after a few days it seems that it is a very bad sprain or minor torn ligament, meanwhile he has to miss a few days work without pay, and no hockey for a month.

I am told that the person who hit him will be expelled from the league. I don't know if it is because I am a woman that I don't get the violence in sports. Hockey is such a great game when it is played fare and square, when skating and handling can almost be an art form within the rules of the game. For all the non professional hockey players out there, remember that there are no million dollars waiting at the end of the game, no compensation plan to support you and your family if you should get disabled while playing your favorite sport. Remember you are playing because you love the game, you love the physical exercise you get out of it and the beers that follow.

Above all remember that everyone has a life, family and friends waiting afterwards, and that no one deserves to leave a game on a stretcher.

Play safe!