No excuse for broken curfew
Apparently “rules were meant to be broken” if you’re a hockey player in the Ontario Hockey League.
Recently my hometown team the Peterborough Petes hosted a game against the Ottawa 67’s. They were expected to perform at least reasonably against Ottawa – a team that, roughly, was evenly matched to the Petes in standings. Alas, the final tally was 8-1, and certainly not in our favour.
My issue here has nothing to do with the dismal score, but with the supposed reason behind it. Rumours swirled around town that the score was a result of the scratching of our captain, assistant captain, and another player for violating curfew rules. Though the scratchings themselves are not rumours; they were reported by local press and confirmed by coaching staff.
Whether or not the terrible performance was the result of player protest, bad luck, or just awful game-play, debate soon arose over how reasonable the curfew (and drinking, though it was not established whether or not alcohol was involved in this particular incident) rules are for players in the OHL. Amazingly, many came to the defense of the players concerned.
To clarify, I am not an uptight soul who believes we should impose increasing restrictions on athletes or anyone in general, and I’m not even writing in support of the curfew rule itself. What I take issue with is the laissez-faire attitude towards players who knowingly violate rules that are set in place for a reason.
One person on an online discussion board wrote: “Stop benching teens for having a couple beers and staying out too late; these activities are getting them ready for the NHL, why discourage it. Thanx.”
Besides the realistic fact that only a fraction of OHL players will actually make it to the NHL, I believe that breaking such a rule is not okay.
The players are aware of these rules when they join the team. There is no excuse of ignorance, so that’s no defense.
In this particular case, the violators included the captain and assistant captain – both veterans. These players are supposed to be leaders and set good examples, for both their fellow teammates and their young fans. Rule breaking isn’t exactly role-model behaviour.
To ignore one’s curfew while holding a privileged position on a highly competitive hockey team is to show disrespect to one’s coaches, employers, and fans. The coach is there to help the team win, but the players have to respect the coach’s authority in order for the team dynamic to be effective.
No player is “above the rules,” whether they think so or not, regardless of their position on a team. I’m not sure if the individuals involved think they’re superior, but their actions certainly indicate that they may.
There are hundreds of teens out there (of all skill levels) that would switch places with these boys in a heartbeat. If players want to party late and drink like many young adults, then they should feel free to do so – upon relinquishing their spot on the roster to someone willing to make the sacrifices involved.
It is quite unfortunate if the bad performance was a form of dissent by the players for the punishment of their teammates. Their first priority should be giving their fans the quality of game they are paying for and deserve, not to be activists against league rules.
The bottom line, as the previously-mentioned online commenter noted, is that OHL athletes are indeed in-training for the NHL, if they are lucky and skilled enough to make it that far. But the NHL exists to host the best hockey players in North America, not the 2013 Beer Pong champs.
There will be plenty of time for drinking later – and preferably from the Cup.