May 2009 - Hot Topic

Fighting Violence in Hockey

by Mary Lou Albanese, Manager, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Middlesex-London Health Unit

Violence continues to be a major problem in Canadian society, particularly for women. The Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women (1993) reported that 27% of women have experienced a physical assault in an intimate relationship. In the United States, the U.S. Department of Justice statistics (1999) found one in four women during their lifetime experienced partner violence, and 22.1% were victims of other physical assaults.

Addressing violence in Canadian society requires the involvement of boys and men in making a cultural shift. It is recognized that men are also victims of violence. However, incidences of violence against women and children are much higher. And violence is primarily inflicted by men (Statistics Canada, 2000). Reducing and eliminating societal violence necessitates a multi-faceted strategic approach. Sport, especially hockey, can be a means of educating boys and men in principles of behaviour management such as cooperation, tolerance, mutual respect, and conflict resolution.

More than four million Canadians of all ages play hockey and millions more watch it. At least 40,000 children in Ontario play in an organized league and adult amateurs comprise 85% of non-competitive recreational hockey players. Hockey is an integral part of Canadian society.

“Sport, and particularly hockey, need not be a symptom of a sick society. Hockey can be a positive educational force – a model – to instill values such as co-operation, personal discipline, tolerance and understanding — a catalyst to promote fellowship and mutual respect among individuals and peoples — a celebration of speed, courage and finesse. Rather than a diverse force, fueled by calculated animosities, it can and should be a bond between participants with a shared commitment to excellence and the common love of the game, hockey, which perhaps more than any other can give one a sense of physical exhilaration and sheer joy of participation.”
  — William McMurtry, QC, Government of Ontario Report: Investigation and Inquiry into Violence in Amateur Hockey 1974

A Violence In Hockey Symposium, hosted by the Middlesex-London Health Unit, was held in London, Ontario on February 24, 2009. The purpose of the symposium was to continue the work of the Middlesex-London Health Unit in raising awareness of the issues surrounding violence in Canadian society. Presenters ranged from sports officials, sports writers, parent hockey coaches, sports broadcast media personnel, sport medicine physicians, former CHL players, and other expert personnel.

The theme of the day was the culture of hockey and the journey to where we are today. Throughout the day we heard comments from players, coaches and trainers, parents and families, fans, members of the general public, the medical and scientific community, officials and rule makers, the media and representatives of the legal system. Presenters shared their stories and, in turn, members of the audience shared theirs.

The grandmother who spoke of her grandson being intimidated and verbally abused by his coach, the parent whose son’s life was changed by a concussion sustained while playing, and the hockey player unable to sleep the night before the game because he knows the next day he will be told to get out there and “get him” –all these people left particularly vivid impressions on the audience.

The messages were clear. Violence on the ice is a choice, not a natural outcome of the game. Media are enablers of violence and must change their focus to emphasize the positive aspects of the game and the skills required to play it well. Officials and hockey administrators must enforce the rules consistently and establish a system to deal with “problem players.” As a society we see violence as entertainment and those closest to the action look the other way as a means of dealing with it. Meanwhile, the silent majority is anxious to eliminate violence.

The information presented and comments on the day’s proceedings demonstrated growing support for the elimination of violence and fighting in hockey. There is no place for violent behaviour in Canada’s favourite game.

Thank you to Dr. Graham Pollett, Medical Officer of Health in the Middlesex-London Health Unit for showing leadership on this important social issue.

The proceedings of the Violence in Hockey Symposium will be made available to the public through the Middlesex-London Health Unit, at www.healthunit.com. Further plans are being made to move forward on this issue.