To say the last couple of months have been a blur for us would be an understatement.  Fall is always busy due to the number of BC Hockey Clinics, but this fall we have had several other workshops/conferences as we continue to ramp up working with various sports organizations.

What continues to be a hot topic in all of those interactions with coaches and parents is the #metoo movement that we are seeing across numerous sports bringing forth allegations towards abusive coaching practices of old, the most recent and prolific being the coaches that have either been let go or being investigated in the NHL.

Albeit not as high profile, there also has been several university coaches and programs that have had allegations brought forth regarding abusive coaching practices so it is not just inherent to the NHL, what it does show is there is a change of the guard coming which we could not be more excited about as have been advocating for the shift since we started several years back.

Universities failing to protect athletes from abusive coaches, students say

In the last couple of months, we have seen one of most recognized coaches in Canada as a result of his 30+ year coaches corner segment (Don Cherry) ran on Saturdays during the first period intermission Hockey Night in Canada broadcast let go for inappropriate language used during a telecast, another NHL coach investigated and resigned due to racial slur and physical abuse allegations (Bill Peters), another one fired, Dallas Head Coach (Jim Montgomery), for unprofessional Conduct and another issuing a statement of apology after investigation conducted by the Chicago Blackhawks, Marc Crawford, for his style of coaching earlier in his career.

Much of which was a result of allegations brought forth by former or current players for coaching practices that crossed the line and was abusive in nature either verbally or physically, but as a result of their investigation, the Chicago Blackhawks will retain Marc as an assistant coach in the new year after serving a 3-week suspension.

“Through our review, we confirmed that Marc proactively sought professional counseling to work to improve and become a better communicator, person, and coach”

 

Image Source: Daily Herald – Dec. 18, 2019

 

This is his full statement shared on the Chicago Blackhawks website this week;

Thank you for the opportunity to share my comments. It was important for me to respect the process required by the Chicago Blackhawks and the ongoing, important discussions being had by players and the National Hockey League. This is why I am sharing my thoughts at this time.

Recently, allegations have resurfaced about my conduct earlier in my coaching career. Players like Sean Avery, Harold Druken, Patrick O’Sullivan and Brent Sopel have had the strength to publicly come forward and I am deeply sorry for hurting them. I offer my sincere apologies for my past behavior.

I got into coaching to help people, and to think that my actions in any way caused harm to even one player fills me with tremendous regret and disappointment in myself. I used unacceptable language and conduct toward players in hopes of motivating them, and, sometimes went too far. As I deeply regret this behavior, I have worked hard over the last decade to improve both myself and my coaching style.

I have made sincere efforts to address my inappropriate conduct with the individuals involved as well as the team at large. I have regularly engaged in counseling over the last decade where I have faced how traumatic my behavior was towards others. I learned new ways of expressing and managing my emotions. I take full responsibility for my actions. Moving forward, I will continue to improve myself, to listen to those that I may have hurt, and learn from their experiences. My goal is to approach all players, past and present, with empathy and understanding. My hope, as a coach and a person, is to create environments of dignity and respect.

I sincerely want to help make our game better for everyone. I want to encourage anyone who may have been impacted by me to reach out so that we may continue this dialogue. There is an important discussion happening in hockey right now. I am and will continue to be a part of the solution moving forward. These conversations will set the course for future generations. I commit to being sensitive to the process, and most of all, listening to individual perspectives and feelings.

__Marc Crawford

______________________________________________________________________________________

What many were unaware of, including yours truly is Marc recognized that his coaching style was not appropriate almost a decade back and has sought and continues to undergo counseling to improve as a coach and a person.  Although made mistakes, he has been applauded by players for helping them that include Alex Burrows who recently was inducted into the Canucks Ring of Honour. Whether you feel he should be coaching or not, Marc has passed the Litmus test the Blackhawks, NHL Coaching Association and NHL to continue evolving and become part of the solution.

Another one of the players that he has been credited for developing is Auston Matthews, who played for Marc in Switzerland and also other young players upon his return back to the NHL as an assistant coach, Ottawa Senators and now once his suspension is removed will return back to the bench as an assistant coach in Chicago in the New Year.

One of our top workshop modules based on blog I wrote a couple of years back “How to Coach Generation Z” literally reinforces the shift that is taking place both in the NHL, University sport and suspect will see in other professional sports, Generation Z (players born after 1995) do not respond to negative criticism, and when surveyed what coaching style the want to see from coaches as outlined below;

#1 – They Want Coaches that do not yell and remain calm

#2 –  Caring and Encouraging

#3 –  Knowledge of the Sport

#4 – Involves team in decision making

This I reinforce in every workshop or talk that do when I have asked coached the top characteristics of the coaches they ever had and the same answers come to up over and over again, many of these coaches are not just Gen Z age group born after 1995, but Millenials (1980-1995) and even boomers (1965-1980).

Yes, kids today want coaches that have the knowledge to teach them the skills of the game, but more importantly, they want coaches that care about them, encourage them in addition to being a calm and positive role model.

There is a much-needed change taking place in the coaching landscape, more and more organizations, teams and coaches themselves are recognizing the importance of connections and relationships with their players than ever before which makes the change taking place.

The entire coaching community regardless of the sport will become a better place and athletes, teams and organizations will benefit as a result.

Our goal is to work with as many organizations as possible to help facilitate this change for the better for who matters most, the kids.

Bob Dylan was infamous for his lyrics and can’t sum it up better than…

For he that gets hurt

Will be he who has stalled

There’s a battle outside

And it is ragin.

 

Although currently going through a storming period, The Times Are a-Changin …. For the better.

 

 

BONUS – Download a FREE printable PDF version of this blog HERE