Changing the game: Systemic changes affecting grassroots hockey
Hockey is a huge part of life for many Canadians, but recent off-ice stories in the NHL have taken some of the shine off the country’s winter sport.
The actions of Anaheim Ducks General Manager Bob Murray are now under the microscope, in the wake of sexual assault allegations in both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks organizations.
As these revelations lead to a re-evaluating of culture in the major leagues, those lessons are trickling down to the minor levels of the sport.
According to the Executive Director of Hockey Nova Scotia, a systemic change in direction for the sport in this region began two years ago with the introduction of the Hockey Nova Scotia Diversity Inclusion Task Force.
"And it was through that process, through our public engagement with community about how we could make the game we're safe and welcoming," said Amy Walsh.
Walsh said the task force report featured a series of recommendations including the Future of Hockey Lab, a program focused on the creating, experimenting and testing game-changing ideas and innovations to make the sport more accessible for all who wish to participate
"It's a safe space to try," said Walsh. 'It's a safe space to have game changing ideas."
Former NHL player Mark Fraser said the Future of Hockey Lab would give the sport an opportunity to pivot to a more positive direction.
"One thing that we are aware of, whether it is at the grassroots level or professional level, the sport encourages silence," said Fraser.
Fraser added the sport should closely examine the kind of leaders who can contribute to the game.
"We are not necessarily calling on people with a long extensive background in hockey," said Fraser. "Whether it is hockey parents or people who are new to volunteering on the grassroots side of hockey. It should be people who care."
Fraser also says the angry hockey coach who kicks cans and throws water bottles is becoming an outdated concept, and while those types of coaches still exist, there have been steps made to remove those people from the sport.
He believes a positive step going forward is recruiting more leaders who care about the human element of hockey and inclusion.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
1 person killed and 23 injured in a bus crash in northern Maryland, police say
One person was killed and 23 others were injured when a bus crashed early Sunday on Interstate 95 in northern Maryland, police said.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Video shows gaggle of geese stopping traffic on Highway 1 near Vancouver
A mother goose and her goslings caused a bit of a traffic jam on a busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Vancouver Saturday.