As sad as this whole situation is, I think it is high time that kids (not just NHL players) realize - through seeing actions taken by Hockey Canada, CHL, NHL, etc. - that there are real consequences for awful behaviour. I have zero interest in continuing to pay to watch highly highly compensated athletes who have been incubated in a culture that in any way shields or protects its own when they engage in reprehensible ways. Part of what we all need to get behind is that we have to start addressing this crap at ALL levels of the sport but a big part of that is setting the tone at the top. Examples have to be set. It’s a privilege to play sport and especially play one for money because it’s pretty clear you are a role model (despite what Sir Charles said). We need to ensure that kids in any sport (not just hockey) get the message that you can’t ply this trade unless you live up to a standard and one that is elevated.
It’s interesting to think about how and when second chances are provided to players and where others are pushed out (not to mention coaches, GMs, owners). And also interesting to think about what these folks did to run into trouble and how much harm has been caused (e.g. drugs, gambling, abuse). Should Evander Kane have been given a second chance or shown the door? Should Craig MacTavish have been allowed back? In one sense second chances show we can forgive and that people can overcome demons, etc. On the other hand, at some point you shouldn’t get the right to keep getting paid to play a game in front of fans and to create accountability among all levels of the sport. Some examples of players who you won’t see suit up again are Slava Voynov (at least in NA), Ray Rice and Colin Kaepernick (some making perfect sense, while for instance Colin’s makes none). What will happen in this Hockey Canada case remains to be seen and we are obviously a long way from the latter part of the discussion.
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