Hockey President Denounces Abusive Parent Behavior at Tournament

The president of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA), Steve Lawrence, has issued a strong condemnation of abusive behavior exhibited by parents during a recent youth hockey tournament in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This follows alarming reports from referee Andrew Pihlaja, who detailed serious threats made against him while officiating a game at the Soo Pee Wee Hockey League Extravaganza Tournament over the weekend.

Pihlaja took to social media to express his outrage after a parent allegedly made a throat-slashing gesture and told him to kill himself during a game. He highlighted the potential impact of such actions on young referees, questioning how a teenage official might react to such intimidation. “Imagine if I was a teenage referee and you did that to them. What if they actually took your gesture, went home and did the unthinkable?” Pihlaja wrote, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

In response, Lawrence addressed the issue directly, stating, “Let me be unequivocally clear: THIS MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY.” He asserted that the abusive conduct observed is not merely an isolated incident but a pattern that undermines the core values of minor hockey. “These are deliberate actions that create unsafe environments for our children, drive away officials we desperately need, and poison the culture of respect and sportsmanship that should define our game,” he remarked.

Beyond Pihlaja’s experience, there were multiple reports of parents hurling abusive comments at young players from opposing teams. Disturbingly, there was also an incident captured on video where a parent, referred to as a “hockey dad,” was seen instructing players to intentionally injure an opponent. Such behavior not only jeopardizes the safety of young athletes but also the integrity of the sport.

Lawrence warned that parents engaging in these actions could face serious repercussions. “This behaviour is not acceptable in society, and it is definitely not acceptable in our arenas,” he stated. The NOHA plans to implement strict measures to confront these issues, which may include permanent bans from arenas for individuals who threaten, verbally abuse, or endanger others.

Pihlaja, who has been officiating for 20 years, described the atmosphere at the tournament as among the worst he has experienced. He noted incidents where parents nearly engaged in physical altercations in the lobby, stating, “To say it’s embarrassing is an understatement.”

In addition to the behavior during games, Lawrence pointed out that the NOHA had received complaints from local hotels regarding children being unsupervised, leading to disturbances and violations of hotel policies. “Unsupervised children causing damage, disturbing other guests, and violating hotel policies reflect poorly on all of us and jeopardize our ability to host tournaments and events across our region,” he noted.

Moving forward, Lawrence pledged that the NOHA would take immediate and proactive steps to address the troubling behavior of parents. The association is committed to fostering a positive environment for young athletes and ensuring that all participants feel safe and respected.

As the situation continues to unfold, both Pihlaja and the NOHA plan to work closely with local officials and stakeholders to promote a culture of respect and sportsmanship within youth hockey.