Boxing in GTHL locker room exposed on video
Posted February 20, 2010 1:21 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A video shot in a GTHL locker room has exposed disturbing behaviour among young hockey players.
The Toronto Star obtained the video, which shows two Vaughan Panthers players engaged in locker boxing.
In the video, the two boys, dressed in hockey helmets, gloves and sweats, took punches at each other’s faces and heads, while teammates egged them on and took photos.
About 30 seconds into the video, one of the two attempted to kick the other, and subsequently hit him so hard that he appeared dizzy. He lost his balance and had to lean against a door to regain it.
Don Mills Flyers coach Peter MacInnis told 680News that he put an end to locker boxing a few years ago.
“If you talk to a 16 year old or a 17 year old, you remember when you were one of those, you’re invincible, and it’s hard to convince them otherwise, so you have to put certain rules in place, and say ‘guys, it’s unacceptable’ ” he said.
The GTHL has been quoted in the past as saying that coaches who do not put an end to the behaviour should step down.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Star reported that coaches have put efforts into ending the fight club in the Vaughan locker room, and five players were suspended for one game.
