No matter if you are for or against fighting in hockey, the incident that transpired last week (Sept. 24) at the George Preston Recreation Centre was a disgrace.
While tempers may flare on the ice as they do on occasion, the job of a head coach 鈥� especially at the junior hockey level 鈥� is that of a teacher and mentor, someone to guide the players.
That is what makes the alleged actions of 91原创 Knights head coach John Craighead so troubling.
The incident is said to have begun when some members of the Mission City Outlaws were targeting a 16-year-old rookie member of the Knights.
The league is made up of players between the ages of 16 and 20, and generally in junior hockey, an older player does not target someone so much younger.
But while that may not be acceptable, it also does not excuse what followed. Craighead is alleged to have jumped on the Outlaws bench and physically assaulted both the opposing coach and an out-of-uniform player who was trying to de-escalate the situation.
In an emailed statement to the media following the incident, Craighead expressed remorse, saying what occurred was deeply upsetting and not the type of behaviour the Knights wanted to portray. One would hope not.
The Pacific Junior Hockey League has done the right thing by suspending Craighead while both they and the 91原创 RCMP determine exactly what went down that night.
Perhaps some time away from the game will serve the coach well.
