“Pedophile coaches, completely disgusting acts of racism, intimidation in and outside the locker room – with social networks -, parents who are crazier than ever with their children, coaches or referees, coaches who resign during in-season classes. “My sport hurts today. “
The message from a former ice hockey professional is very well received on social networks.
In December, a young hockey player from Outaouais photographed one of his teammates in the shower before sharing the photo with his entire team on Snapchat. It was too much for Dominic Jalbert.
“It was the final straw that broke the camel's back, and above all it was an excuse to answer the question that I have been asking myself for several months: What is happening to our little ice hockey?” he asks on the phone.
Racism, intimidation, resignations: In a long message published last week, he listed numerous scandals that have damaged his sport in recent years. His appeal was shared more than 250 times and sparked hundreds of reactions.
However, the Gatineau resident wants to be clear: he's not throwing stones at sports clubs that are full of volunteers who care about the well-being of children.
“For me it starts from home. Parents place high demands on those involved, but do not hold their young people accountable. It's never your child's fault. There are even some who behave inappropriately towards 13 or 14 year old referees. What example does this give? “You have to look in the mirror,” says the former Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Student Player of the Year winner in 2010.
He believes the abusive attitudes of certain parents risk depriving young athletes of top-notch coaches and volunteers. He mentions the example of Jean-Philippe Sansfaçon, former head coach of the Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe, champion team of the U18 AAA League in 2023. Despite a remarkable campaign, Mr. Sansfaçon resigned from his position at the end of the following season by parents who were with are dissatisfied with the treatment of their child and are “personally attacked”.
“Things have to change for the good of the children”
Since its publication, Dominic Jalbert has received several messages from Internet users thanking him for expressing his opinion. The 34-year-old father believes the level of feedback points to a problem that goes far beyond the sport of hockey in his region.
“I realize that it is the case not only in Outaouais, but everywhere in Quebec and in different sports. It's also at school. It is a social problem,” says the man who developed with the Saguenéens of Chicoutimi.
If nothing changes, children will be the first victims of this “toxic environment”.
“For me, ice hockey was really a school of life. Parents need to consider why they are enrolling their child in sports. It's not about them being able to join the National Hockey League (NHL), but about them being able to learn values that will be useful to them in life in society,” he emphasizes.
He invites anyone who would like to get involved like he did to also get involved for future generations.
“It may be naive, but I hope that I can help decision-makers find solutions. Former athletes can be useful. Apart from that, mentalities need to evolve,” he concludes.