BC Hockey Slams Door on Minor Hockey Coaches Season

Monday, February 19, 2007 10:20 PM

BC Hockey (BC Amateur Hockey Association) has come down heavy-handed on the Prince George and Williams Lake triple-A bantam minor hockey teams. Both head coaches, Greg Pocock of the Farr Fabricating bantam Cougars of Prince George and Les Bellai of the Williams Lake bantam Timberwolves, plus both the team’s managers have been suspended for the rest of the minor hockey league season.( until June 1^st)

Fearing possible injuries in lopsided results, the coaching staffs, with parent support, agreed not to play 4 Cariboo minor hockey league games. Instead, the teams mixed up the rosters for a 3 on 3 mini-tournament.

Because the format was unsanctioned by BC Hockey, the two head coaches had been suspended since the end of January.

Greg Pocock, who has been a volunteer coach for over a decade, says he’ll seriously have to think about whether he wants to put any more time into coaching minor hockey.

“What really blind-sided us was the suspension of manager, Andy Beasley, “Pocock said. There had been no indication anyone else would be disciplined by BC Hockey.

A bitter Les Bellai, who was Williams Lake minor hockey coach of the year last season, is also pondering his future as a volunteer coach.

An emergency parents meeting for the Farr Fabricating bantams is being held Tuesday night.

The two triple-A bantam teams are scheduled to face-off this weekend to determine who qualifies for provincials.

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Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 10:20 PM in Sports by Kelly Sharp

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Comments

Posted by: banananuthead on February 19 2007 10:57 PM

Some context would be nice. The BCAHA's insurance policy is pretty restrictive. It only covers what it covers. So if one of those players gets hurt in an unsanctioned (i.e. uninsured) event, and someone's parent sues, BCAHA, the minor hockey associations and the responsible parents are singularly liable. Money rules the world, don't forget, and this was totally a money decision.

Maybe BCAHA needs to explain their insurance policy better to their associations, who need to explain it better to their coaches.

But when you go that far off the reservation, you shouldn't be surprised if your friends disown you.

Posted by: Gofaster on February 20 2007 5:55 AM

Way to go....not
suspensions for having a game and
medals if there are fights and blood...
what is wrong with that picture...

Posted by: Buzz on February 20 2007 10:09 AM

Problem is, who the heck would know what the rules are? The rule books(s) are huge and complicated. Turns out that in order to have made this an "official" event, the coaches should have applied at least 30 days in advance for a 'jamoboree' event. (who would have known it was called that??) Not sure where the application goes or how to do it. You also have to pay a fee. The 'pond hockey' concept was dreamt up at the last minute upon learning that Williams Lake was considering not participating in the games due to the inevitable blow-outs and danger of 4 games in a row with angry 14 year olds. So how many volunteers do you think would know the proper protocal, rules, regulations, insurance issues, etc. etc.??? Too bad that the system appears to be much more important than the kids best interests. We wouldn't allow paid staff to be 'punished' for an innocent mistake made with the best intentions, so why do we allow our volunteers to be treated so poorly. "Suspended"...what a sick joke for high quality volunteers to have to bear. How about a helpful person from BCAHA phoning the coach as saying: "Just so you know, you can't do that pond hockey stuff without permission. Great job guys, but don't do it again without calling me first for guidance". End of story, but instead, they chose to create a train wreck.

Posted by: Balmy on February 20 2007 12:14 PM

Where is the support from PGMHA? Several executive knew this was going to take place! No one said "you can't" or suggested the proper protocol! They supported the idea! It's time you became proactive and looked after the players and volunteers in PG! Where are you now! Oh yah, it was PGMHA that reported it to BCAHA! Way to support your orgainization!

Posted by: Runner46 on February 20 2007 12:16 PM

As a long time coach I applaud what the coaches did on the ice.

Unfortunately the kids will pay.

I once made such an error and the kids did pay, but twenty years later, they are productive people in our society inspite of my mistakes.

Posted by: Big_B on February 20 2007 5:11 PM

Here's a take on it.

Why did the coaches feel it necessary to let the kids play 3 on 3 and then comment on how the kids never got out of hand, rather than play a lopsided game in which both teams from past history absolutely hated each other?

Sounds to me like two coaches who are obviously the problem.

A well-coached team can control its emotions no matter what side of a lopsided score it is on.

Learn some bench control boys and learn how to read a rule book.

My condolences to the players. This is what happens when adults do not want to follow rules that are set out to protect you. Accept the fact that you screwed up and pay the price. Model some good behaviour for the kids.