TRAVELLERS HOCKEY LEAGUE UPDATE

(for Tuesday, July 7, 2004)

Please note that the Travellers Summer Hockey League has become somewhat alarmed by the increasing number of player verbal abuse that is occurring towards its referees. The League will not condone such actions and will act swiftly with severe suspensions in order to deter this conduct.

The League reserves the right to suspend ANY player for on or off ice conduct that jeopardizes the safety of other players or league officials. A player can receive a suspension for any infraction that either warrants only a minor penalty or goes unnoticed during the course of a game. We are making every attempt to discourage players from maliciously using their stick either to intimidate or injure an opposing player.

Finally, we feel that we have the best referees in all of Ottawa and we commend them for their dedication to the league. It is the league’s belief that all referees are approachable on the ice should you have a related concern. If you are polite and not sarcastic or belittling in your comments, we feel that all referees will be more than happy to offer any explanation to avoid any on ice confusion. Please respect the referees and the same respect will be reciprocal. This league should provide a recreational milieu for one’s mental and physical well being. This can be achieved through camaraderie, sportsmanship and generally having fun on the ice where all of one’s troubles are far removed. It’s only when players start to take the game and each call too seriously that they encounter on ice frustrations which can hardly be part of the recreational spirit.

We sincerely hope that all players on each of our 48-teams are having an enjoyable summer. Every effort is being made to ensure that the level of enjoyment during the time on the ice provides an opportunity for camaraderie and sportsmanship and a relief from life’s other stressful situations which we all encounter in our lives.

Brian Kukulka

League Convener

Travellers Summer Hockey League