Remember This? That time they debated street hockey

From the archives of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library:

Foote passes up to Gretzky, who passes to Thornton, who buries it in the top shelf and jumps into…the snowbank and the snow people go wild! Do you remember when you recreated a similar play on a side street growing up? Surely the players above, at one time or another, have recreated similar plays while they took part in what many consider a tradition within communities across this country.

However, despite being a favourite ‘tradition’ in many communities, street hockey has been subject to many instances of antagonism. An example of this occurred on our country’s east coast, in Nova Scotia.

In an October 2010 edition of the Sault Star article, it stated that “Street hockey is dividing a small Nova Scotia town, and might be the reason one house was pelted with eggs and a vehicle in the driveway had the air let out of its tires” (Sault Star, 06/13/2010, p.7). It becomes clear in the article that this pastime caused animosity amongst the residents of the neighborhood, which resulted in multiple calls to the RCMP. The original call was made by a participant’s parent “complaining about a woman ‘screaming all kinds of obscenities’ at children playing road hockey in the street” (Sault Star, 06/2010, p.7).

Presumably, this is what caused the following calls to be made about the vandalism inflicted upon private property by way of the release of air from tires and thrown eggs. To help resolve the issue, the community organized a meeting to discuss the topic of street hockey in hopes to “ease some of the tensions” (p.7).

This however is not the first instance that street hockey has faced scrutiny in communities across this country or Nova Scotia for that matter.

In 2006, Sidney Crosby, then a rookie in the National Hockey League, took to the ice to stand up for the pastime after he heard of a proposed ban on street hockey. The by-law that was proposed was “aimed at controlling a range of activities that some residents have complained about in the past…that could impede traffic or threaten the safety of children” (Sault Star, 01/31/2006, p. 1). In an interview with Canadian Press, Trina Crosby, said that “[Sidney] just wanted to share some memories” of “…something he enjoyed doing as a youngster”, when she relayed the contents of ‘Sid the Kid’s’ email to then mayor of Cole Harbour (Sault Star, p.1).

One of the issues that communities have with street hockey is the safety of the children involved, including in our own community. In February 1950, the police warned children not to play the game that many view as a tradition.

The article states “playing hockey with other boys on the road opposite his home…10-year-old…was struck by a car and suffered facial injuries, which fortunately were not of serious nature” (Sault Star, 02/03/1950, p.3). As many ten-year-olds, when focused on the game, especially a competitive one, “did not see the approaching vehicle” (p.3). It is the standpoint of those responsible for our safety, that street hockey is an unsafe activity and this instance provides evidence to support their claims.

In 1952, Chief I.L. Robertson went so far as to say that “street hockey must be stopped, and if necessary officers have been instructed to take steps which might eventually mean court prosecution” (Sault Star, 12/06/1952, p. 5). At the time there was an increase in the use of automobiles within the community, which was seen to exacerbate the chances of injury. Chief Robertson went on to say that “street hockey is considered the most dangerous sport in which youngsters indulge… [and] Drivers complained frequently to police” (p.5).

There have been many instances of adults who have called about children playing the game of street hockey. Whether it be safety concerns, accusations of vandalism or, as the tenants of a residential complex complaining of children being, “too loud and were disturbing their peace and quiet” (Sault Star, 12/05/2000, p.2). This instance resulted in the tenants of a Port Coquitlam complex taking the equipment away from the two children who were engrossed in the activity. Understandably, the mother of the two children in question was baffled by the event, stating that “street hockey is the kids’ only outlet because her and her husband…don’t have the money or the time to put them in organized sports” (Sault Star, p.2).

It is not even a question that organized hockey is both time-consuming and expensive, and street hockey is a great equalizer for those that love the game of hockey, including the two Port Coquitlam boys. The ‘Great One’s’ dad, Walter Gretzky once stated that “street hockey is great sport because you don’t have to be a millionaire to play - all kids can enjoy it”, when he promoted his annual street hockey tournament (Sault Star, 01/06/2010, p. 1).

Similarly, in July of 2002 the Reynolds’ Memorial 4 ON 4 Street Hockey Challenge took place locally. This was a tournament that saw a heavy involvement from former Soo Greyhounds, which included the likes of “Ted Nolan, Craig Hartsburg, Aaron Gavey, Denis Lambert, and Drew Bannister…keeping games clean and fight free”, as referees (Sault Star, 15/06/2002, p.1). This annual tournament, being a fundraiser, where the proceeds went towards causes within Sault Ste. Marie. These included donations towards the oncology department and to “help pay for a few kids to play hockey who wouldn’t be able to afford it (Sault Star, 15/06/2002, p.1).

Although street hockey does come with certain elements of risk, it can also be the only outlet that a child has to participate in something active and outdoors. Heather Green, the mother of the two Port Coquitlam boys, offered that “people forget that their kids were young once”, when she defended her sons’ right to play their beloved game. Furthermore, we too were young once and had the chance to recreate a magical hockey play to win a coveted trophy.

Who is in for a game of street hockey? Game on!

Each week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library and its Archives provide SooToday readers with a glimpse of the city’s past.

Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more "Remember This?" columns here.