Parents

Hockey parents make a big investment in their child's sport- we pay, we drive, we cheer, we worry, we console, we advise, - we do a lot!  Many parents volunteer for their child's hockey organization or on their child's team.  During games, we are on the boards watching all the games. With parents being so involved parents need to remember that they have one of the most important roles in hockey.  

They are guiding their child and providing their child with a role model.  As a parent, you are a spectator of the game, not a coach, not a player, and not a ref. As a parent spectator, you model sportsmanship before, during, and after the game.  Bad behaviors, or rude behaviors, have no place at a child's sporting event. Don't be that parent, and don't tolerate it from any of your team's parents.  If you can't watch and stay positive, please do not stay in the rink. If you have something to say to another player, make it positive, or don't say it.  If you have something to say to a ref, make it positive, or don't say it.  Cheer your team and your child!  All children do something correct during a game, celebrate that moment.  Applaud effort. Cheer try. Celebrate the assist, the goal, the great stop-of both teams. Your child is watching you. Remember that this is recreational hockey for children, not the NHL. 

Negative behaviors from parents have been hurting the sport.  Referees are in short supply and many of our current refs are young (under 18 years old) and learning the game. Don't turn them off from the sport by yelling insults at them.  If you don't agree with a call, bite your tongue.  They are not going to change a call because you are swearing at them!  We need young officials to learn, including making mistakes. They have an educational program, including observations.  Let the experts teach them. We need to let them to grow and learn without feeling attacked or harassed.  We fully support referees asking unruly, mean, or negatively distracting parents to leave the rink if they don't like how you are acting.  Be nice, take a break if needed, or don't go to the games. We support and encourage our member organizations to enforce positive parent behavior. 

If you have an issue at a game with a ref, another parent, or something that happened before, during, or after a game talk to your coach.  Many coaches ask that you wait 48 hours before talking with them unless it is an emergency.  If the coach feels the need to bring an issue to CGHL they will contact your organization's CGHL representative and/or the organization's president who will contact the CGHL Executive Board. Bringing an issue forward is a coach's call.  If you don't get satisfaction with your coach please talk directly with your organization's president. 

The CGHL believes that girl's recreational hockey should value player development, fun, effort, and excellence, as well as good sportsmanship from players, coaches, and parents. It takes a combined effort to grow great girls!

 Enjoy your time being a hockey mom or dad- it can be rewarding and exciting!

Links for New Hockey Parents

Fun and Interesting Information