February 21, 2008
York: Hockey = Society
by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor
BOSTON — The season of bad boys in college hockey continues. (We first chronicled it here, in an article that gets more outdated as each day passes.)
Before there was even chance to get the ink dry a recent conversation with Boston College coach Jerry York, there was another player leaving school early for the pros (Niagara's Les Reaney) and more supplemental discipline for fighting (in the WCHA).
Then, today, it was revealed that a Brown player is facing charges of child pornography for releasing a sex tape of himself and an underage girl on YouTube.
"No, I haven't," said York, when asked if he'd ever seen anything like it. "Maybe if we looked and saw what happed in football and basketball the last 5-6 years ... We're subjected to the same problems in society as football and basketball is."
York saw the issues up close, when he had to suspend "indefinitely" Brett Motherwell and Brian O'Hanley earlier this season. Motherwell then left to sign a pro deal, and O'Hanley just never returned.
"Our objective is teaching right and wrong and make good decisions, and that actions have consequences," York said.
One thing you can say, though, is that the college coaches and institutions are at least not sweeping these discipline issues under the rug. We may not know the details, but they are being taken care of internally. Only North Dakota has gotten any criticism for not seeming to levy enough punishment on players after a couple of incidents, but that may only be because no one would say what the punishment was beyond a one-game suspension to T.J. Oshie.
"It's a recurring theme," York said. "Every day you pick up the paper and you could read something. So hockey is part of society."
The recent Canisius-RIT brawl was sort of a high-water mark — or low water, if you will — resulting in what amounted to seven-game suspensions for Canisius' Carl Hudson and RIT's Ricky Walton.
Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna said he could not recall any more severe punishments for on-ice incidents. Five years ago, Boston College's Patrick Eaves received two game disqualifications after a scary collision with Merrimack goalie Joe Exter, and it amounted to an automatic five-game suspension because they were his second and third DQs of the season. But that's about it.
As for the issue of NHL teams plucking away college players, York doesn't know if there's much that can be done about, other than the NHL simply telling its teams not to do it. Any rule that would require players to stay two years in school before leaving, would probably drive players away, and York doesn't think NHL teams will go for it.
"I don't know what the answer is but I don't think you can put rules into it," York said. "The pros won't go for that. If they draft someone, they want the (option) to sign him."
Society problems are dealt with and talked about, it seems that suspending two star players and not discussing the problem is childish, unprofessional and uncaring.
Feb 23 2008, 9:56 pm by
Teaching right and wrong...ha! I wish there was some actual teaching going on not just a cold shoulder and turning your backs on these kids...the ones who may have made a mistake and the others who may learn from the mistake makers....and congratulations to Motherwell who is having a good hockey year and also to O'Hanley who will graduate and continue hockey!
Feb 24 2008, 3:21 pm by
While I agree that maybe York should disclose what happened with Motherwell and O'Hanley, there's no doubt in my mind that he did what he thought was necessary. I also think he'd be there for the kids no matter what mistakes they made. He's more than a hockey coach.
Feb 24 2008, 9:06 pm by
I could care less about any disclosures about what they did, my bigger issue is that this is a catholic institution supposedly teaching values....not sure York has instilled this attitude, what about showing concern and helping those in time of need, don't particularly see York being there for these, or any kids if he did not benefit from it. Not seen as anything but a hockey coach!
Feb 24 2008, 10:29 pm by
Let's not forget that Jerry does not owe these kids anything, they are receiving over a $100,000 education for $0. If they can't follow the rules provided at the start of the season, then that's not Jerry's or any other coaches problem. He is not a counselor or a psychologist, he's a hockey coach trying to teach kids what's right and wrong. Kudos to the 2 BC players for persevering, but to criticize Jerry for this issue is absurd.
Feb 25 2008, 12:44 pm by
Not so absurd if you really knew what down
Feb 26 2008, 4:08 pm by
correction - what went down
Feb 26 2008, 6:59 pm by
The punishment did not fit the violation.Yes Jerry, hockey is part of society and it's too bad you don't realize it.What about the teachings of the Jesuit and Catholic community.Forgive as the Lord forgave you.These kids were wrong but did not deserve the treatment they received.
Feb 27 2008, 10:08 am by
Unless someone provides the actual facts of what happened, this is idle chatter. How can you discuss if the punishment fit the crime if you don't know the crime? And lame platitudes invoking forgiveness are off-base also; this is a balancing act between teaching young men accountability and also accepting that they are human and make mistakes. Everyone knows that players are on the team subject to the coach's approval. If they don't like that, they're free to pay tuition on their own and do anything they'd like. But once they sign on to the team, with its attendant benefits and obligations, neither they -- nor chattering fans -- are in a position to second-guess the coach's decision. He is judge, jury and executioner, and rightly so -- it's his team.
Feb 27 2008, 5:09 pm by Mike, MD
Without providing but knowing facts, the punishment did not fit the crime and furthermore, the "idle chatter" as it may be called are "comments to the article". It is thought that an institution that has requirements/rules and regulations and expects the students to abide by them, that the institution itself would follow these rules. The bottom line is that if a coach is judge, jury and executioner...why have an athletic director?
Feb 27 2008, 7:01 pm by
Think of the Athletic Director as the Court of Appeals with a mandate to review only for clear error.
Feb 28 2008, 10:02 am by Mike, MD
Like York said in a previous article, "it's not like these kids violated curfew." York communicates the team rules and the expected on and off-ice behavior when he recruits, and don't think the parents aren't impressed. They love having a teacher like York manage their kids while they are at college. He teaches these kids how to be gentleman on and off the ice and to prepare them for adulthood. If you flagrantly break team rules, he treats you like an adult and that is the best preparation a kid needs for life. These kids knew the team rules. And, by the way, he does not take away their scholarship. He suspends them from the team but the academic scholarship continues. A degree from BC was probably not that important to Motherwell. Also, check the career of Joe Pearce who played goal for BC a couple of years back. He was suspended from the team for a year and was allowed to try out again and made the team his senior year. Don't paint York as unfair or unprofessional.
Mar 3 2008, 11:05 pm by
Pearce was not suspended, he was told he would not be on the roster.York thought he would leave and another scholarship would be available.Pearce returned a year later after York's request.It is a business and if you think York really cares, you are mistaken.You are giving York too much credit.York is coaching and instilling life lessons the same way he did when he first started.
Mar 4 2008, 9:54 am by
The point about not taking scholarships is well taken, and frankly, proves the point that the punishment did not fit the crime. That wasn't charity, he could'nt take their scholarships, the crime was not severe enough, the powers that be at BC wouldn't allow it.
Mar 12 2008, 7:52 pm by
Which parents love York's management? Have never heard that one around the roundtable conversations!
Mar 13 2008, 7:56 pm by
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