Youth Sports Stories

Dear Coach Pat,

Hi Coach sorry to bother but my wife, son and I I deeply troubled by events of this weekend. I wanted to bring up in person yesterday but we decided maybe it’s just one game and will not be a pattern. After todays display is clearly a pattern and has to be addressed. In fact, other parents (more than one) came to me concerned about what had occurred I said we had to figure out what to do before addressing.

Eli literally played zero minutes in games yesterdays third period. Zero. You and assistants obviously were trying desperately to win “a big game”, so decided one of the lesser players for an entire period would help win. He played less than five minutes yesterday. Notably it did not work out. We did not win. After the game (I’m sure you noticed were were not happy) coach Kevin came to Eli and said “I did not say which game I taped up your stick for”, referring to the shock and awe of sitting a hard working 11 year old boy for an entire period in desperate attempt to win a “big” pee-wee level B youth hockey game (and it did not anyway).

Eli was devastated. His face getting singly held out of rotation (the only kid which makes it even worse). This is seriously damaging stuff for a kid.

We were horrified but told him it can’t and won’t happen again. We were hopeful it was a one time thing. Today ended that hope.

Eli did not get in the game until almost 7 minutes had passed then was taken off ice early. By the way the few seconds he WAS on the ice the wolves scored a goal. He played a total of 4 minutes (with a plus minus of +1). The look on his when coach Ziza eagerly stuck her arm out to not let him go out with his teammates was just disgraceful for adults to actually condone. Again other parents saw same and were shocked this was our new “norm”.

Maybe this is new to you and a big deal for whatever reason to win, but this is a pee wee B league. Not A not A1 even. Kids are here learn and grow and get better. They are not here to win the Stanley Cup. To see you and assist coaches not allow a hard working sweet 11 year old boy to play his normal (already short) rotations is really sad. Today you held back one kid (exactly one) from playing to maximize chances of winning another “big” game. What happened is the game was lost anyway AND my son was in tears on the way home.

Most coaches realize this which is why the NORMS for level A1 and below (I know people with kids on other teams and people who had children play in past) is to keep a normal rotation and EVERYBODY plays and not fir these ridiculous 25 second shifts (where Ziza’s eagerly call him back to bench when he just got on ice). My friends son in Newington A1 today was said “4minutes??? That’s disgusting”. He is right. It is disgusting and should stop.

We are frankly wondering is this a plan to shake us out of the tourney coming up? If so that is really sad. There will be great teams in that tourney and Wolves are not going win even if you play the first line entire game. Sorry to be so blunt but I really think that this needs to be stressed. It does not matter. What matters is see the team playing together and getting better. Nobody but the coaching staff and a few eccentric parsons are overly wrapped up in outcome of a specific game. I’m very concerned that you and assistants are. This is a low level league with 11 year olds. Let them play.

I hope after todays loss where you chose to bench poor Eli (again) and lost anyway, that things can change. He goes to every practice and loves the game. He does not deserve this. Especially in a very low level league where wins and losses do may matter. They really don’t Pat. Really.

We are not expecting playing time like the first line but we do expect him to get valuable experience on the ice and to play his normal rotations. I also want to mention in another “big” game vs bruins we lost in that thanksgiving tourney, Eli was on ice for both goals. One of the few. He does not ruin your line or teams chance to win so it’s really uncalled for, as many are noticing.

I have been nothing but kind and complimentary of you and your staff (as I hope you think Pat!). In past I complimented how you play to win but still get kids there minutes. Why all of a sudden would this change? Last to games vs teams we probably had more talent then we are 1-1 and poor Eli was benched. Ridiculous.

I’m happy to talk to you in person but sending here hoping we can resolve before next game to find a happy middle. Please think hard about the impact you and staff are having on my son and weigh to value of winning games (which we are losing anyway. Yes I’m repeating because it’s not working anyway).

Happy to talk to you Pat. I am trying to respectfully not be too public and hope we can work it out internally.

Thanks for consideration,

Scott