A minor hockey team in southern Saskatchewan was forced to forfeit a playoff series after several players were suspended for an “inappropriate post” to social media, according to the sport’s governing body.
Hockey Saskatchewan says the Wawota U18 Flyers forfeited the Moose Mountain Minor Hockey League (MMMHL) semi-final after videos of players drinking alcohol and making inappropriate comments ended up online.
“After game two, there was some inappropriate social media posting by a player who looks after the team social media account,” Hockey Saskatchewan President Kelly McClintock told CTV News Monday.
“We handed down suspension against the individual who is in charge of writing and posting things on behalf of the team,” he added. “And to the coach for allowing things that went on in the dressing room.”
Hockey Sask. and Hockey Canada have social media and dressing room policies which bans the use of cameras in the locker room.
The player who controlled the account was handed a 20-game suspension from Hockey Sask. - while the coach is banned from sanctioned activities until the end of November.
The MMMHL also suspended several other players, which McClintock said Hockey Sask. upheld.
“Any time there is the inappropriate posting of things on social media, we take them serious,” he added. “Kids today, unfortunately, don’t seem to think before they post things.”
“We don’t want people making threats. We don’t want people saying inappropriate things,” McClintock said. “We’re trying to change culture, but it’s hard to change culture just in hockey.”
McClintock hopes this can be a learning experience for all young hockey players, teams and families.
“It’s a great lesson, not just at U18 level, but any level of [hockey],” he said. “Are [parents] monitoring kids’ social media habits?”
Following the incident, the team, coaches and parents participated in social media training.
CTV News has reached out to the league for comment but has not heard back.
