A mother’s heartbreaking account of her son’s traumatic experience on a junior hockey team has sparked widespread outrage and concern among parents and billet families online.
The anonymous mother shared her story in a Facebook group dedicated to billet families and players, describing the toll that hazing had taken on her son, a passionate young player who moved halfway across the country for his first junior hockey opportunity.
According to the mother, her son had always been dedicated to hockey since he was nine years old.
But what was meant to be a dream season turned into a nightmare.
In her post, she wrote that the team’s “veteran” players had subjected the rookies to humiliating treatment, including denying them the use of the bus bathroom and forcing them to find bottles to relieve themselves during long rides. She explained,
“He couldn’t find one and had to hold it,” “There is so much more though. I don’t want to get into too many specifics.”
Anonymous Mother
She went on to say that her son felt he couldn’t talk to the coach and feared retaliation if he spoke out. She wrote,
“He said he has days where he just doesn’t even want to play because he is so discouraged,” “This kid has been so passionate about hockey since he was 9. Never has he said he didn’t want to play.”
Anonymous Mother
The post quickly gathered attention from parents, billet hosts, and hockey supporters who were stunned by the details. Many commenters condemned the team’s culture and urged the mother to take immediate action.
Pauline E. Graas wrote,
Hazing is detrimental to the well being of players in any league. This isn’t hazing it’s downright bullying at it’s worse.
Pauline E. Graas
Others shared similar outrage, emphasizing that there is nothing “normal” about the kind of treatment described. Gizmo’s Dog Den, a long-time billet host, commented:
This is wrong. The “hazing” that our billet kids have gone through with their teams were/are not like this. More along the lines of the team is having a steak team dinner, and the rookies are paying. This is unacceptable. This is detrimental to their overall mental health not just now, but could have long term effects. I’m sorry they did this to him.
Gizmo’s Dog Den
Many echoed that sentiment, stressing that the mental health impact on young athletes can be severe. Lynda Mirra offered cautious advice:
Certainly you or your son reporting this could result in retaliation from this kind of team and it all depends on how this coach handles it. Is he not on the bus though? Sometimes it is best feedback given on the way out as your son heads off to a different team. Billet lottery winner does not make this the place to stay. Your son should be thriving…this is not good.
Lynda Mirra
Some questioned how such behavior could go unnoticed by the adults in charge. One commenter asked, “Are there no coaches on the bus?”
Another, Karen Hrycenko added,
Go to the billet coordinator. This cannot go on. The coach has to know this is going on if it’s happening on the bus.
Karen Hrycenko
A few days after the initial post, the mother shared an update that made her heartbreakingly clear decision: “Since then, more has come out about the hazing. We’re bringing him home.”
The update drew a wave of support and sadness from the community. Mary Vetsch Durkop wrote,
Once he’s home, update us on the team. I think the hazing and those types of things happen more in lower leagues. Either way, it is not okay. Glad he’s coming home but very unfortunate.
Mary Vetsch Durkop
Others suggested she report the matter to the proper authorities. Michelle Tahtinen asked,
Can you not make a unanimous report to safe sport? They likely investigate….
Michelle Tahtinen
Another user, Anonymous participant 391, stated bluntly,
I actually think this could be considered a crime. Humiliation,depriving basic human rights. And coaches allowing it means they as adults in charge should be held responsible. Hopefully all parents on the team will bring rookies home and then the team will be left with a big void. Report it asap.
Anonymous participant 391
Even billet families chimed in to express disappointment and solidarity. Brenda Baker wrote,
This is NOT acceptable. We’ve billeted for 10 years for 3 different teams and there’s been nothing of this sort ever done. Talk to the coach asap.
Brenda Baker
A recurring theme in the discussion was how hazing, once dismissed as “team bonding,” has no place in modern sports. Jason Shores wrote,
Not normal and not acceptable in todays world. Sorry your son ia dealing with that.
Jason Shores
Yet, amid the support and empathy, a few commenters shared a sobering reality, that hazing may be more widespread than most realize. One participant shared,
To everyone saying that this has never been done, unfortunately it may have been but you never heard about it… our son was on two teams in 2 different parts of the country and it happened on both teams. They all discussed, signed, etc., but it still happened and coaches seemed to turn a blind eye. They held ‘court’ and would fine the rookies insane amounts of money-that they didn’t have-for the tiniest little things. One team was way worse than the other, but none of it should have been happening. We didn’t find out until after the fact,,,
Anonymous participant 174
As the mother prepares to bring her son home, she has gained a community of supporters who stand by her decision and hope her family can find healing, and that the young player’s love for hockey will one day return. One commenter urged,
I actually think this could be considered a crime. Humiliation,depriving basic human rights. And coaches allowing it means they as adults in charge should be held responsible. Hopefully all parents on the team will bring rookies home and then the team will be left with a big void. Report it asap.
Anonymous Participant 391
