Canadian Junior Hockey Coach suspended for putting academics before hockey

EStreetJoe · Jun 11, 2012

Only in Canada or could this happen in the USA? :)

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1209391--coach-suspended-for-letting-players-skip-hockey-ceremony-to-study-for-exams?bn=1

A volunteer head coach in Newfoundland says he’s appealing his one-year suspension and $2,000 fine for his junior hockey team after allowing school to take precedence over the opening ceremonies of an end-of-season tournament.

“It’s absolutely ludicrous in my opinion and heavy-handed,” said Brian Cranford, who has been voluntarily coaching the Mount Pearl Junior Blades near St. John’s for 20 years.

Cranford, who works for the Town of Conception Bay South, said his team qualified for the Don Johnson Cup tournament in April.

But the week of slated games interfered with university exam season for his junior B players, who range from 18 to 20 years old, Cranford said.

“These are kids who put their education first,” he said. Many were good enough to play hockey on the mainland he said, but had other priorities. “They’re not chasing that dream. They’re chasing a university dream.”

There's much more to the story if you click on the link

Starman · Jun 11, 2012

It's quite a big deal to qualify for my tournament.

JR · Jun 11, 2012

Hockey Canada will overturn both the fine and the suspension.

Only Canuckistanis will find this funny but the full name of the team is Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades