Hockey Edmonton looks to address hockey culture

Hockey Canada is currently in the spotlight for its handling of sexual assault claims. Some are now calling for action and changes at all levels of the sport.

“I don’t think we can really call hockey ‘Canada’s game’ until everyone has stepped up to make that change and feels welcomed and safe playing the sport,” says Kylee Quinn, the Head of Marketing and Communications for Hockey Edmonton.

The organization says they will he stepping up and addressing hockey culture going forward with their young players.

“We have fully committed ourselves to accountability and transparency during this situation. Kids are looking up to their coaches, and even the older kids who play so it’s really important to get everyone talking and everyone involved,” Quinn says.

One hockey parent who was dropping off his two sons for hockey camp at the Clareview Recreation Centre Thursday afternoon says it’s a great idea.

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“I think they should bring it to the kids’ attention as soon as possible and educate them right from the get go. It’s not really about being a great hockey player, it’s about building great relationships with friends, being coachable and being a teammate,” he says.

The Executive Director at the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, Mary Jane James says it’s a good idea for hockey parents to start having conversations with their children outside of the rink, and bring attention to negative hockey culture and encourage positive chance.

“Those conversations have to begin at home. Kids that grow up to be superstars in their selected sport do not change overnight. The culture has been built for them and with them since they have been involved with the sport, they may not have been particularly interacting in that culture but it’s there, and culture is demonstrated from the top on down,” she says.

Hockey Edmonton doesn’t have a timeline on when they will have an action plan ready. The organization says they are waiting to take direction from Hockey Alberta. Meanwhile, the organization says they are reaching out to industry experts to start creating a plan.

“Silence is a big reason why we as a nation are here in the first place,” says Kylee Quinn. “Hockey Edmonton acknowledges that we can not silently fly under the radar, so we acknowledge that hockey culture at large, within that, mistakes have been made, and in order to change we have to address some of these uncomfortable issues.”