More concerned about it getting our that he uses it at all. It goes: Image seen (already happened); people say "that's snus" (already happened); people spread word (you think that doesn't happen?); kids say "if Monnie (and Buff and others) do it it must be OK, and cool too".
Mike Gordichuk isn’t shocked. The head coach and GM of the MMJHL’s Transcona Railer Express has coached at all levels of hockey for 25 years and counting. Just last month he watched two 14-year-olds walk into a hockey arena with a chew in their mouths.
"I know kids doing it as early as the age of 13 or 14. I've seen it. It's like smoking... It's becoming a bit of an epidemic," says Mike Gordichuk, MMJHL's Transcona Railer Express head coach and GM.
"I know kids doing it as early as the age of 13 or 14 doing it," Gordichuk said. "I’ve seen it. It’s like smoking. A lot of parents don’t think their kids smoke but they’ve been doing it for five years. Just because you’re not seeing it doesn’t mean they’re not doing it, right?
"It’s becoming a bit of an epidemic," he added. "It was around back then (10-20 years ago), but I don’t remember seeing it like I see it now. And it was the older groups: 16, 17, 18 years old. Now you’re seeing it in the younger age groups.
"There’s that disbelief of younger kids that if you’re not smoking it’s not as bad for you. Some kids actually believe it’s a performance enhancer when actually it’s an inhibitor. It’s counteractive."
Gordichuk doesn’t allow smokeless tobacco in his dressing room. But like most coaches, he has no control over its use outside of the arena. "I know they could do it before or after but I just didn’t want it in the room. I find it disgusting. And I cannot fathom why anybody would want to chew that stuff. It’s a shame when these kids are hooked on it." And like several minor and junior hockey executives interviewed, Gordichuk cites the wide-spread use of smokeless tobacco by NHL players as a contributing factor.
"When they see an NHL player do it and it’s accepted by the NHL, they’re going to do it. If you could clean it up at the NHL level it would filter down," he said. "There’s such a high respect from these kids, that’s what they’re aspiring to be, and they see guys like (Winnipeg Jets defenceman) Dustin Byfuglien do it, to them that’s OK."
Commissioner Davis concurred, also citing Byfuglien — who in the past has done TV interviews with a wad of chew in his mouth — and the likes of Detroit Red Wings’ Todd Bertuzzi and Washington Capitals’ superstar Alex Ovechkin.
"That just pisses me off, and I don’t mind saying it," Davis fumed. "It’s the height of arrogance to go out publicly in the role of a professional hockey player who like it or not is looked upon as a role model. They make darn sure to get the right hat on, or the right shirt on, with the right logo for their sponsor. So why can’t they just take that crap out of their mouth? I don’t get that. It drives me nuts."
Are you also upset he's at a bar.........kids might find out he drinks too. That picture is taken at Cowboy's. Neither drinking nor chewing is illegal............I'm not trying to be ignorant to you point, I get it, chewing isn't healthy, he's a role model etc..... Neither is drinking though, so where do you draw the line.
Tough to complain about that stuff, I'd say if the guy isn't partaking in illegal activity and aren't doing them in front of children, you need to take your role model concerns to the sidelines, these guys need and get to have lives too, they aren't ON 24/7 for your or anyone else's kids.
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Lol are you really concerned about kids finding an image of Monny on the Internet with a tin completely sealed in his pocket? The average adult wouldn't notice that on a glance. And even if a kid did, I doubt they would even know what it is.
We should terminate his contract!
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Lol do you guys have horse blinders on your kids to make sure they don't see anyone doing anything you don't want them to do, ever? All you can do is teach your kid to make good choices, bad influences are everywhere. It's not Monahans job to change his choices for your kid.
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Lol do you guys have horse blinders on your kids to make sure they don't see anyone doing anything you don't want them to do, ever? All you can do is teach your kid to make good choices, bad influences are everywhere. It's not Monahans job to change his choices for your kid.
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This is ridiculous. Sean Monahan the bad role model.
Do I have to remind you that he finished 5th in Lady Byng voting this year? And you're gonna go get on his case because he may or may not have something in his pocket?
Some people really need to learn to just be a bit grateful that we have such a wealth of exceptionally positive role models on this team. There are hockey players doing cocaine all over this league. Domestic abuse scandals once every couple of years. A whole laundry list of players who are known by their fanbases for being total jerks on the street, and you're going to complain about Sean ****ing Monahan?
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Are you also upset he's at a bar.........kids might find out he drinks too. That picture is taken at Cowboy's. Neither drinking nor chewing is illegal............I'm not trying to be ignorant to you point, I get it, chewing isn't healthy, he's a role model etc..... Neither is drinking though, so where do you draw the line.
Tough to complain about that stuff, I'd say if the guy isn't partaking in illegal activity and aren't doing them in front of children, you need to take your role model concerns to the sidelines, these guys need and get to have lives too, they aren't ON 24/7 for your or anyone else's kids.
Not upset at all, just didn't think it looked great. It's not a big deal at all. I was just surprised it's in such use both in the NHL and in the minors.
This is ridiculous. Sean Monahan the bad role model.
Do I have to remind you that he finished 5th in Lady Byng voting this year? And you're gonna go get on his case because he may or may not have something in his pocket?
Some people really need to learn to just be a bit grateful that we have such a wealth of exceptionally positive role models on this team. There are hockey players doing cocaine all over this league. Domestic abuse scandals once every couple of years. A whole laundry list of players who are known by their fanbases for being total jerks on the street, and you're going to complain about Sean ****ing Monahan?
If this was directed at me, I think you need to reread my posts. I said I doubted whether he was even carrying a tin.
Do I hope it wasn't snus? Sure. It's unhealthy, gross and yes, not a good example. Do I think it was? Actually no, since there's never been any hint of it before.
ETA: the Lady Byng really doesn't have much to do with being a role model. McGrattan is a great role model.
