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Minor hockey officials want apology for reinstated coach

By Linda Nguyen, Postmedia News December 21, 2010

Two Ontario minor league hockey teams will boycott all tournaments in Peterborough, Ont., until a local coach there gets an apology for being suspended for intentionally forfeiting a game after a racial slur was directed at one of his players.

"Essentially, we won't come back to Peterborough for a tournament again until we get an apology from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association," Keith McDonald — coach of the two London, Ont., teams — said on Tuesday.

Greg Walsh, who coaches the Peterborough team NAPA Auto Parts, was reinstated Monday after he was automatically suspended following a forfeiture during a Nov. 15. game.

At that game, Walsh pulled his team off the ice after referees did not immediately discipline a player on the opposing team for allegedly calling one of his players the "N-word." Officials said they did not hear the racial slur from the player on the Austin Trophies which was directed at 16-year-old Andrew McCullum.

That player, his coach and assistant coach were later suspended for three games.

Walsh was told last Thursday his suspension was going to last until April 10. But the OMHA contacted him Monday to notify him that they have reversed the suspension effective immediately, following a weekend board meeting.

Nevertheless, McDonald doesn't think it's enough.

"I just think it was the public backlash that caused the OMHA to reverse their decision," he said. "Not because of what happened. People make mistakes but I think the OMHA needs to admit theirs and make sure we have policies and procedures in place."

He said the parents of his players, who are between the ages of 7 and 10, support the boycott.

The OMHA originally said it had no choice but to suspend Walsh because it had to follow Hockey Canada's rules. The association said it has been in contact with Hockey Canada and will review the policy biannually as scheduled.

Spokesman Richard Ropchan had no comment Tuesday on the boycott.

The Peterborough Minor Hockey Association is also in the process of looking at its policies to prevent future similar incidents.

Peterborough is about 150 kilometres northeast of Toronto.