JG A & B EP Tournament - 1/7 - 1/10

[hockeyguru]

Anyone else have the privilege to spend some time at the EP community center to watch the JG A and B teams battle it out? I watched a lot of hockey this weekend and saw some great talent out there and some not so great talent.

I do have to say that I am disappointed in a lot of what I saw. I know Junior Gold has been working to improve its reputation but I am still seeing so much slop that its hard to look ahead. I witnessed countless fights on the ice, fighting in the parking lot, coaches, parents and refs yelling at each other before and after the games.

We can't hold these kids responsible. These coaches need to grow up and demand more from their players. You act like a fool and embarrass us then there needs to be consequences. There was a lot of class act coaches and players but for the few they create problems for everyone.

[HockeyGuru#6]

WOW nice name

[StoppatchFairplayHelmets0]

Anyone else have the privilege to spend some time at the EP community center to watch the JG A and B teams battle it out? I watched a lot of hockey this weekend and saw some great talent out there and some not so great talent.

I do have to say that I am disappointed in a lot of what I saw. I know Junior Gold has been working to improve its reputation but I am still seeing so much slop that its hard to look ahead. I witnessed countless fights on the ice, fighting in the parking lot, coaches, parents and refs yelling at each other before and after the games.

We can't hold these kids responsible. These coaches need to grow up and demand more from their players. You act like a fool and embarrass us then there needs to be consequences. There was a lot of class act coaches and players but for the few they create problems for everyone.

Yes there was some great hockey played, and some ugly events also. They are kids testing each others limits. Do I like it? No! But it happens.
Jr Gold hockey is a mixed bag of talent so when it gets one sided out on the ice, there will be issues with some kids.

Rather than see the negative in this past weekend, look at some of the great sportsmanship that was also on display. For instance, JGB Championship game two kids racing for the puck towards the boards, the WBL kid loses his footing a little and does a nasty face plant into the boards. I personally didn't think he would get up from that. After he gets on his feet the Wayzata kid he was racing shook his hand as to say I'm glad you're ok. Those are things I see every game at this level. These kids playing at this level are not as honed as Varsity or JV, or they are and they have made a choice.

I also think EP ran a fine tournament.

As for the adults...who knows there. They have to remember that they are watching their kid play a game...lighten up!!

[rinkresident]

Ah yes.. Hockey Guru.... You must be from White Bear Lake!
I too was at the tournament this weekend, and have to say I saw alot of nice sportsmanship from almost all of the teams and coaches.
As far as the fights in the parking lot. Let's be clear here. The fight transpired between a White Bear Player and a Totino Grace player. I would just point out that one fight should not stereotype the whole tournament and all of the teams being dirty. Out of 20 teams, there was only 1- 2 issues of parents out of control or being kicked out. The refs did a wonderful job, and so I want to make sure that you do not jade the tournament for 1 issue that happened on Sunday when most teams were already gone.

Make sure if you are going to post something that it is factual and not with emotion or biased.

[hockeyguru]

Ah yes.. Hockey Guru.... You must be from White Bear Lake!
I too was at the tournament this weekend, and have to say I saw alot of nice sportsmanship from almost all of the teams and coaches.
As far as the fights in the parking lot. Let's be clear here. The fight transpired between a White Bear Player and a Totino Grace player. I would just point out that one fight should not stereotype the whole tournament and all of the teams being dirty. Out of 20 teams, there was only 1- 2 issues of parents out of control or being kicked out. The refs did a wonderful job, and so I want to make sure that you do not jade the tournament for 1 issue that happened on Sunday when most teams were already gone.

Make sure if you are going to post something that it is factual and not with emotion or biased.

No.... I'm not from White Bear Lake. And I am not posting with emotion and bias. I watched about 12 games Thur - Sun. I watch a lot of hockey and this was a rare occasion to watch so much Junior Gold. Like I said again I am not saying it was a total bust. There was some great talent and great sportsmanship displayed but there was a lot of slop. This is the kind of stuff you do not see anywhere else and in any other league. Out of the 12 or so games that I watched I saw 3 games that punches were thrown. I saw one game were a kid swung his stick and hit the kid on the helmet and the list goes on.... shall I continue?? Oh, the ref's missed the swinging of the stick and gave him a slashing call.

Anyways, rinkresident...I'm not blowing smoke. I was there.

And this is not a blow to EP. Judging from your past posts you work there, possibly a director but it has nothing to do with your organization. I actually love when we have tournaments in your facility so thank you for hosting.

[SlapShotGuy]

rinkresident,

Do not shoot the messenger. Hockeyguru was just pointing out what transpired at the tournament and wondered if sportsmanship is lacking in Junior Gold Hockey.

It is unrealistic to think kids are not going to fight, or behave badly when some parents are so disruptive that they need to be warned by the referees, or removed from the arena and some coaches act as disrespectful toward their own team, their opponents and the referees.

Having watched hundreds and hundreds of Junior Gold games, I definitely think the league could improve with better sportsmanship from this small minority of adults.

[StoppatchFairplayHelmets0]

rinkresident,

I definitely think the league could improve with better sportsmanship from this small minority of adults.

Slap Shot Guy...How is this problem considered a League issue? This is mostly a team by team thing. Some parents think that when their kid laces up a pair of skates they're going to watch a boxing match. Because of this we already have HEP, which is supposed to take care of these issues. HEP is not used in most tourneys so the bad parents that may have been forced to shut up in league play now think they have to make up for lost shouting.
Teams with unruly parents can, and are supposed to police themselves. This will repair the image (however tarnished) but it is impossible to eliminate it entirely. I don't see it as wide spread as some are reporting. Doesn't anyone remember signing a code of conduct sheet at registration?

[SlapShotGuy]

Well, I think it is definitely a Junior Gold issue. Far more Junior Gold players and parents get kicked out of games and/or tournaments than probably all other youth levels combined.

I do not have any stats to back up this perception, other than my own experiences. In my experience, it is not a close comparison.

Are other's experiences different than this?

Also, I have not noticed only certain teams to have this issue and not others.

Another assumption on my part is that there would be a strong correlation between alcohol consumption and the adults who get thrown out of games. I do not think a sober adult would normally put themselves into that kind of situation

Meaning, I bet almost no adults get thrown out who are not drunk. I am not including the coaches who get thrown out, I am assuming they are not drinking...

[blueblood]

Pretty bold statements SSG.

The refs have the authority to dismiss players who, in their opinion are not, "in it for the game" so to speak. Also, 3 penalties and your done for the night. No other youth level has these rules in place.

I have noticed that certains teams display more "enthusiasm" than others. But as for the parents, I have been following JGA for the past 2 years and haven't seen a parent asked to leave yet. That's more than 100 games.

Maybe JGB is different...